Alright, alright, listen up ya’ll. We gotta talk ’bout them doggone treats for our furry fellas, the ones with the bad kidneys, you know? Them kidney safe dog treats, that’s what we’re lookin’ at today.
Now, I ain’t no fancy vet or nothin’, but I know a thing or two ’bout keepin’ a dog happy and healthy, even when their insides ain’t workin’ like they should. See, my old Bess, bless her heart, she had the kidney troubles, so I had to figure this stuff out the hard way. No sense in you folks doin’ the same, right?
First off, you gotta be real picky ’bout what you give ’em. Can’t just throw any old bone their way. Think of it like this: you wouldn’t give a baby a plate of greasy ribs, would ya? Same goes for these dogs. Their kidneys ain’t strong enough to handle all that junk.
So, what CAN they eat? Well, I learned some good stuff from the doc and from pesterin’ folks at the feed store. Seems like fruits and veggies are a good bet, but not all of ’em, mind you. Stuff like watermelon, apples (but no seeds!), bananas, them little baby carrots, broccoli, zucchini, and blueberries, those are all pretty good. My Bess, she loved them blueberries. Made her coat all shiny, too.
- Watermelon
- Apples (no seeds!)
- Bananas
- Baby carrots
- Broccoli
- Zucchini
- Blueberries
But listen here, there’s stuff you gotta steer clear of, real clear. No grapes, no raisins, and for the love of Pete, no onions! Them things are poison for dogs, even the healthy ones, but they’ll really mess up a dog with bad kidneys. It’s like givin’ ’em a double dose of trouble.
Now, talkin’ ’bout store-bought treats, that’s where it gets tricky. Lots of fancy names and big promises, but you gotta read the labels, real close. And don’t be fooled by them pretty pictures on the bag. Look for treats that are low in phosphorus and low in sodium. Them’s the bad guys for kidney dogs. Doc told me somethin’ ’bout keepin’ it under 150 milligrams of phosphorus and 100 milligrams of sodium for every 100 whatchamacallits… calories, I think he said. You best check with your own vet though, just to be sure.
There’s some special food out there, the kind you get from the vet, like that Hill’s stuff. It’s made special for dogs with kidney problems, and they got treats too. But it can be pricey, let me tell ya. If you can swing it, great. If not, there’s still ways to keep your dog happy and healthy without breakin’ the bank.
I found some decent treats on that there Amazon, not too expensive. Just gotta search around a bit. But like I said, read them labels! Don’t just grab the first thing you see. And sometimes, even the “good” stuff might not agree with your dog. Every dog’s different, you know? Just like people. What works for one might not work for another.
So, what do you do if you’re not sure? Well, you talk to your vet, that’s what. They know your dog better than anyone. And don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if they sound silly. It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to your furry friend.
And remember, treats are just part of the picture. You gotta feed ’em good food too, the kind that’s made for dogs with kidney problems. Look for stuff that’s low in protein, not too much salt or that phosphorus stuff. There’s a few brands out there that are pretty good. I heard tell of Hill’s, Blue Buffalo, and Purina Pro Plan bein’ okay, but again, talk to your vet. They’ll set you straight.
This whole kidney thing, it can be scary, I know. But it ain’t the end of the world. With the right food, the right treats, and a whole lotta love, your dog can still have a good life, a happy life. Just gotta be patient, gotta be careful, and gotta pay attention to what your dog’s tryin’ to tell ya. They can’t talk like we do, but they got their ways of lettin’ us know how they’re feelin’.
So go on now, take care of them furry fellas. They depend on us, you know? Give ’em a scratch behind the ears for me, and don’t forget them kidney safe dog treats. They’ll thank you for it, in their own way.
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