Liver Diet Food for Dogs

If your dog has liver disease, the right food can add months and possibly years to his life. Your vet can prescribe the best liver diet for your dog based on the cause and severity of the problem. Causes of liver malfunction may be temporary or serious. For example, ingesting a toxic substance can cause temporary liver damage. Liver disease may also be related to conditions such as hepatitis or cancer.

Liver diet

The good news is that the liver has self-healing abilities. Feeding your dog the right diet can aid in this process. The key is eliminating food that makes the liver work too hard, according to the Canine Liver Disease Foundation. One way to do this is through a diet that reduces the build-up of chemicals associated with liver disease, according to studies by David Twedt, DVM, a professor at Colorado State University.

Dogs with liver problems need a diet that is low in copper and iron and contains fiber, according to Twedt. Liver disease tends to raise copper and iron levels in the dog's body, which may cause tissue damage. Fiber is helpful because it can lower the acids produced by a malfunctioning liver. Fiber may be added to the diet through a supplement such as Psyllium. Your vet may also recommend Vitamin C and Vitamin E to further aid in digestion.

Commercial Food

There are basically two choices for a liver diet for your dog. You can buy a dog food formulated specifically for dogs with liver disease or prepare a homemade diet. Your vet will likely sell commercial dog food for dogs with liver disease. Regular dog foods are not recommended because they can fillers and additives that are difficult to digest.

Reports of tainted commercial dog food have prompted some owners to provide a homemade diet. Since 2007, the Associated Press has reported several stories about regular dog food products being laced with various chemicals and rat poison.
Some pets died after eating the tainted food. Although manufacturers called these isolated incidents, some still have concerns about the safety of commercial dog food.

Homemade Food

You may prefer to make your own liver diet for your dogs. One example of a homemade dog food diet is called BARF (stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food). This diet includes certain bones, raw meats, yogurt and other items. Feeding your dog a homemade diet may cost you more money and take more time to prepare. Remember that whatever liver diet you choose for your dog, be sure to follow your veterinarian's advice.