is venison good for dogs with kidney disease

Is Venison a Smart Choice for Dogs with Kidney Disease?

When your dog is diagnosed with kidney disease diet becomes extremely important for management. Therapeutic kidney diets help reduce strain on the kidneys and slow progression of the disease. But when it comes to proteins which meats are best? Can venison be a healthy option for dogs with kidney issues? Let’s take a closer look.

Understanding Canine Kidney Disease

The kidneys serve vital functions like filtering waste from blood and maintaining proper chemical balance in the body. Kidney disease occurs when the kidneys become damaged and can no longer work effectively.

Acute kidney disease comes on suddenly often from a toxin, infection or injury. It can be fatal if not treated promptly.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) develops gradually over time. Dogs with CKD experience a buildup of toxins in the blood that makes them feel ill. There’s no cure for chronic kidney failure, but treatment can help dogs live comfortably for months or years.

Dietary Management of Kidney Disease

Along with medications and intravenous fluids, diet is critical for dogs with CKD. The goals are to:

• Reduce workload on the kidneys
• Slow progression of kidney damage
• Provide balanced nutrition

To accomplish this, kidney diets lower protein, phosphorus and sodium. But they still supply adequate calories, vitamins and minerals.

High-quality protein is needed, but limiting protein is key to reduce kidney strain and nitrogenous waste. Phosphorus is also restricted since dysfunctional kidneys cannot clear excess from the blood. And sodium is minimized to prevent fluid retention and hypertension.

So when selecting proteins for dogs with kidney issues, leaner options are ideal to limit waste buildup.

Benefits of Venison for Kidney Health

Venison refers to deer meat, most commonly from white-tailed deer. Hunters and gourmets praise venison for its lean, tender texture and savory flavor.

Venison delivers nutritional advantages as well:

• Very lean protein – less than 2g fat per 3oz
• Rich in iron, zinc, potassium and B vitamins
• Higher omega-3s than commercial beef
• Contains glutathione to support detoxification

For dogs with CKD, the low fat content of venison makes it gentler on the kidneys. The iron, zinc and B vitamins also support immunity for dogs prone to infection.

Additionally, venison provides more anti-inflammatory omega-3s than traditional meats. Omega-3s benefit kidney health by reducing inflammation and high blood pressure.

Potential Drawbacks of Venison

Venison has many benefits, but a few potential downsides to consider:

• Still contains moderate protein at 18g per 3oz serving
• Can be costly compared to beef or chicken
• Risk of parasites if not properly handled
• May be high in cholesterol at 83mg per 3oz

While venison contains less protein than most meats, it provides more than kidney diet recommendations of 7-18g per 100 calories. Portion control is needed to prevent excess protein intake.

And as with any raw meat, care should be taken to avoid parasitic illness. Venison should be frozen for 2 weeks before feeding to dogs with kidney issues or other health conditions. Thorough cooking also eliminates this risk.

Is Venison Recommended for Kidney Disease?

Can venison be part of a therapeutic kidney diet for dogs? Overall, incorporating some venison can be beneficial under veterinary supervision.

The concerns with venison are manageable provided portions are controlled. The cholesterol content is reasonable for most dogs. And the risk of parasites is avoidable by freezing or cooking venison prior to feeding.

The bottom line is venison delivers more advantages than drawbacks:

Pros:

• Very lean, low-fat protein
• Rich in vitamins, minerals
• Higher omega-3s than beef
• Gentler on kidneys than other meats

Cons:

• Still contains moderate protein
• Potential cost and access barriers
• Parasite risk if uncooked

Talk to your veterinarian about whether adding some venison to your dog’s kidney diet could be advantageous. They can guide you on proper portion sizes as well.

If venison is recommended, choose lean cuts like loin or leg. Avoid higher fat options like ribs or sausage. And always handle raw venison safely before serving.

Other Tips for Dogs with Kidney Disease

While diet is crucial, other tips can further support dogs with chronic kidney problems:

• Encourage water intake to prevent dehydration
• Feed smaller, more frequent meals
• Maintain ideal body weight – avoid obesity
• Select kidney-friendly treats like green beans
• Provide medications and supplements as directed
• Give intravenous fluids if prescribed
• Monitor bloodwork to gauge kidney function
• Limit exercise to appropriate levels
• Manage dental health to prevent infection
• Control blood pressure as recommended
• Avoid toxins from foods, medicines or environments
• Watch for signs of nausea and offer anti-nausea medicines if needed
• Consider dialysis or transplant in end-stage kidney failure

Venison can be one piece of a comprehensive treatment plan. Work closely with your veterinarian to implement all recommended medical care, nutrition and lifestyle adjustments.

While kidney disease cannot be reversed, progress can often be slowed with diligent management. Supporting your dog’s quality of life and comfort is the top priority.