Dog Food for Liver Failure: What to Feed & Avoid

One of the worst things about being a dog owner is knowing that your best pal’s time on Earth is limited. What’s worse, that already brief time can be cut even shorter due to various health problems your furry friend may have, including liver conditions.

But you’re not exactly powerless if that’s something your pup is struggling with. Food, for example, plays a crucial role here, so you can help by actively choosing food for dogs with liver problems. However, a strict diet is only a part of the equation.

That’s why this guide will delve a bit deeper into liver conditions in dogs. We’ll cover why they happen, how they manifest, and what you can do about these problems to ensure your best friend enjoys life to the fullest.

What Causes Liver Problems in Dogs?

As a particularly hard-working organ, the liver not only filters blood and removes toxins but also supports digestion and extracts nutrients from food. Yet, the fact that it has so many functions also means a lot of things can go wrong with it.

Here’s a quick look at what’s usually behind these conditions:

• Toxins: Even if they’re no longer a pup, your dog is probably still very curious. As a result, they may eat something toxic that can damage their liver.

• Cancer: Older dogs can also develop liver tumors. Sometimes, they originate in the organ itself. Other times, they spread from another part of the body. But in both cases, they can interfere with the liver’s functions.

• Infections: Viral and bacterial infections can inflame your pup’s liver tissue. For example, both canine hepatitis (caused by a virus) and leptospirosis (caused by bacteria) can cause liver problems in dogs.

• Genetics: Sometimes, dogs are simply born with abnormalities that cause improper liver function. Congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSS) are an example, which, although rare, prevent the liver’s primary filtration function by allowing blood to bypass the organ.

• Poor diet: Unbalanced nutrition and obesity can also trigger genetic issues and lead to liver problems. In fact, not only do these factors contribute to chronic liver issues, but they can also lead to full-on liver failure.

Liver Issues in Dogs: Common Symptoms

While liver disease symptoms appear gradually and may be difficult to spot early on, there are a few things you should look out for in particular:

• Jaundice: An unhealthy liver will often struggle to perform its filtration function, which can cause your dog’s eyes, tongue, and gums to have a noticeably yellowish tint.

• Vomiting or diarrhea: Digestive upset is another common symptom of liver disease, as your dog will struggle to filter toxins and process nutrients from food.

• Increased thirst and urination: Liver dysfunction can also disrupt fluid balance, so your dog is likely to drink much more water and need additional potty breaks.

• Swollen abdomen: In some cases, liver disease can even lead to fluid buildup, which you’ll be able to see on your dog’s abdomen.

• Lethargy: Although a common symptom for many dog health problems, tiredness and loss of interest in favorite activities go hand-in-hand with liver disease.

• Loss of appetite: The same goes for eating less than usual, which might not say much on its own, but can indicate liver problems when accompanied by other symptoms.

What You Can Do: Prevention and Treatment

The aforementioned symptoms should never be taken lightly, as they can lead to full-on liver failure, which is often fatal. But the good news is, you can usually help out your dog by making a few lifestyle adjustments:

Diet

A well-balanced diet arguably plays the most crucial role here, with the best dog food for liver issues consisting of easily digestible ingredients. Here’s what that usually means in practice:

• Lean protein: Chicken and fish help your furry pal maintain their muscles without putting too big a strain on their liver.

• Moderate fats: While fats are a must-have for energy, a diet for a dog with liver problems will also limit the intake of overly fatty foods, as they can worsen digestion.

• Fresh foods: Although kibble is the go-to option for most dog owners, gently-cooked foods made from fresh ingredients, just like Pawy offers, are much easier to digest for canines with liver issues.

• Low-copper ingredients: Whether it’s a vet-prescribed dietary regime or you’ve got a vet’s approval for homemade food for dogs with liver disease, such a diet typically avoids foods that are high in copper. That’s because copper can accumulate in the liver and worsen your canine liver condition.

A diet can even help with more advanced liver disease cases, especially when surgery isn’t possible for some reason. Here, dog food for liver failure is all about restricting the intake of protein to reduce ammonia production. It’s also usually paired with antibiotics and a syrup that prevents ammonia from being absorbed, although this is definitely a situation where you should consult your vet first.

Supplements

Besides keeping your dog on a strict low-fat, low-copper diet, you can also ask your vet about any supplements your canine pal should be taking to support their liver function. These typically include:

• SAMe: S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) is crucial for liver cell regeneration. It also supports the organ’s detoxification function.

• Milk thistle: This silymarin-rich plant extract can help protect your pup’s liver cells from toxins. Much like SAMe, it also supports hepatic cell repair.

• Vitamin E: Commonly found in fish and spinach, this fat-soluble antioxidant works wonders for immunity, and it helps reduce oxidative stress in liver tissue, as well.

• Omega-3 fatty acids: EPA and DHA (omega-3 fatty acids) are healthy fats that can help reduce inflammation and are often found in fatty fish like salmon and mackerel. They’re also a crucial component of Pawy’s fresh dog food.

While they’re not a replacement for a proper liver function-focused diet, these supplements go hand-in-hand with the best dog food for liver disease.

Water

Proper hydration is another absolutely vital aspect of caring for a dog with a liver condition. After all, the liver needs ample amounts of water to effectively filter toxins, so your canine buddy should never be left feeling thirsty.

On another note, it’s important to keep in mind that regular tap water often contains heavy metals and chlorine. While they’re usually found in trace amounts, these elements can put further stress on your dog’s already struggling liver.

That’s precisely why a high-quality filter is a must-have. By ensuring your dog has access only to filtered water, you remove the harmful chemicals that can worsen their liver condition from the equation.

Summary

Realizing that your furry companion has a liver condition is undoubtedly frightening. But that doesn’t mean all hope is lost, especially if you catch the symptoms early on.

As long as you filter your pup’s water, follow your vet’s advice on supplements, and actively choose food for dogs with liver problems, such as Pawy’s fresh ingredients, your pal should be just fine. That said, you should still keep up with regular vet checkups.