When a dog is diagnosed with liver disease, proper nutrition is an important part of supporting their health. Knowing what to feed a dog with liver problems can help maximize liver function, reduce symptoms, and improve their quality of life.
Always speak with your veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet. They will recommend the best diet for your dog.
Key Takeaways
- Dogs with liver disease need an appropriate diet that supports overall health as well as liver function.
- A veterinarian-prescribed dog food specifically designed for dogs with poor liver function (hepatic dog food) may be the best option if a dog’s liver disease is severe. Milder cases can often be managed with over-the-counter dog foods.
- The best diet for dogs with liver problems depends on what type of liver disease a dog has, how advanced it is, and other case-specific details. Talk to your veterinarian for individualized recommendations.
How Diet Supports Liver Health in Dogs
The liver performs many important functions, including making proteins; removing toxins and waste products; helping with digestion; and maintaining blood sugar levels.
When the liver is compromised, dietary therapy can help the organ work as effectively as possible and prevent further damage.
Dogs with significantly reduced liver function can have specific nutritional requirements that differ from healthy dogs:
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Precise protein levels: Dogs with hepatic encephalopathy often benefit from less protein, while other dogs may benefit from normal or even increased protein levels to help maintain muscle mass. Egg, dairy, and plant proteins are often highlighted in liver diets because meat proteins are more likely to worsen symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy.
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Adequate energy: Dogs need to take in enough calories from carbohydrates, fats, and protein to prevent unhealthy weight loss.
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Increased antioxidants: Extra vitamin E, selenium, and other antioxidants are often added to liver diets for dogs to protect cells from damage.
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Low copper levels: Too much copper can damage the liver, so hepatic dog foods often contain low levels of copper and added zinc, which helps reduce the absorption of copper. This is especially important for dogs who have been diagnosed with copper storage disease.
The Best Diet for Dogs with Liver Problems
The best diet for a dog with liver problems is dependent on what type of liver disease they have, how severe it is, and the dog’s other dietary and health requirements.
For example, an older dog who has symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy could benefit from a low-protein prescription liver diet.
On the other hand, a growing puppy who has been diagnosed with a mild portosystemic shunt needs more protein to support their growth and development than prescription liver diets provide.
The best liver diet for dogs could be a prescription dog food, a new over-the-counter dog food, a homemade diet, or maybe even the food they are already eating.
What To Feed a Dog with Liver Problems
Your veterinarian can help you determine which type of food is right for your dog if they have liver disease.
Hepatic Dog Foods (Prescription)
The most effective option for managing severe liver disease may be a veterinarian-prescribed hepatic dog food, such as:
Non-Prescription Dog Foods
For dogs with mild liver disease who don’t require specific dietary changes, many highly digestible, life stage-appropriate dog foods that aren’t too high in protein could be a good fit, including:
Ask your veterinarian for dietary recommendations that are specific to your dog.
Supplements
Veterinarians may also recommend liver-supportive supplements, such as:
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Denamarin: Denamarin supplements, like Nutramax Denamarin, contain s-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) and silybin (from milk thistle) to support liver function.
Human Foods To Offer Safely
Human foods that are usually safe for dogs with liver disease include:
Remember, all treats combined should only make up 10% of any dog’s diet. The rest should come from their complete and balanced dog food.
Homemade Dog Food
Recipes for homemade food for dogs with liver disease require careful formulation by a veterinary nutritionist, and they must be followed closely. Most dog food recipes found online do not provide complete and balanced nutrition.
Your veterinarian can refer you to a veterinary nutritionist, or use a service like PetDiets.com or Balance.it to create recipes tailored to your dog’s needs.
Tips for Feeding a Dog with Liver Problems
How you feed a dog with liver problems can be almost as important as what you feed them:
What Not To Feed a Dog with Liver Problems
Certain foods, medications, supplements, and additives can worsen liver conditions or be dangerous for dogs with liver disease. Things to avoid include:
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Copper-rich foods: Copper can accumulate in the liver and cause further damage, especially in dogs with copper storage disease. Avoid human foods that are high in copper like organ meats (liver, for example), shellfish, and dark green leafy vegetables like spinach.
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Unapproved medications, supplements, or herbs: Some medications, herbs, and supplements that are safe for healthy dogs can be dangerous for dogs with liver disease and should be avoided unless specifically recommended by your veterinarian.
What To Feed a Dog with Liver Problems FAQs
Is low-protein dog food good for liver disease?
Low-protein diets are recommended only for some dogs with liver disease, such as those who have hepatic encephalopathy. Dogs with liver disease still need adequate protein to prevent muscle loss and support their overall health.
Can a dog recover from liver disease with the right diet?
In mild cases of copper storage disease, a low-copper diet may be the only treatment needed. However, dogs with other types of liver disease often benefit from other forms of treatment. A change in diet may not even be needed.
What is the best hepatic dog food brand?
Are eggs good for dogs with liver disease?
Eggs can be beneficial because they provide high-quality, easily digestible protein with a low copper content. However, any dietary additions should be approved by your veterinarian.
