The 9 Best Low Phosphorus Dog Foods
- May 27, 2023
- By Dr. Deborah Fletcher
If your dog has renal disease, he or she will probably need to eat less protein and less phosphorus to stay healthy.
Since this is an unusual form of food, it might be difficult to locate a brand that matches your budget and that your dog would eat. Additionally, you may ponder what ingredients the cuisine should have.
BestForPets (bestforpets.org) has compiled a list of the best low phosphorus dog foods in order to help you understand the differences between products. We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each option, as well as what our dogs think of them.
In addition, we've included a buyer's guide that explains what low-phosphorus dog food is and what distinguishes one brand from another.
Join us while we look at phosphorus proportions, protein percentages, natural ingredients, and more to help you make an educated choice.
Table of contents
Reviews A Buyer's Guide to Selecting the Finest Low Phosphorus Dog Foods ConclusionReviews
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Dog Food – Overall Champion
Blue Buffalo Lifeguard Formulation Dry Dog Food is the finest low-phosphorus dog food in our opinion. As the first component, deboned lamb was included, and the protein content was high at 22% by volume.
Fish meal, a source of omega-3 fatty acids, is the second item on the list. It also contains several other high-quality ingredients, such as tomatoes, flaxseed, peas, blueberries, cranberries, and barley grass.
Glucosamine will help alleviate the discomfort associated with swollen joints and arthritis, and it can even lessen inflammation. There are no dangerous chemicals, preservatives, or maize, wheat, or soy to disrupt your pet’s sensitive digestive system.
Our dogs like this meal, and it made us feel good to serve it to them. The only issue with the bag is that it cannot be resealed once it has been opened.
Pros
- Initial element
- 22% protein
- Omega fats
- Contains glucosamine
- No wheat, corn, or soy
Cons
- Bag not resealable
Dave’s Pet Food Diet Restrictions Canned Dog Food – The Best Buy
Dave’s Pet Food Diet Restrictions Canned Dog Food is our top selection for the most cost-effective low phosphorus food. Its minimal components help lessen the likelihood of an allergic response in pets with renal disease.
It contains carefully regulated quantities of phosphorus, calcium, and protein, which can be harmful to the kidneys and exacerbate symptoms.
This brand also has less salt to prevent your pet from retaining water and swelling. Vegetables such as peas and carrots are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, while sunflower oil supplies essential omega fatty acids.
The only true drawback to Dave’s Pet Food is that one of our dogs didn’t like it and refused to eat it until we put down something different.
Pros
- Controlled phosphorus, calcium, and protein levels
- Decreased sodium
- Scarce ingredients
- Included are peas, carrots, and sunflower oil
Cons
- Some dogs don’t enjoy it
Hill’s Prescription Diet Dry Dog Food – Kidney Care – Premium Choice
We recommend Hill’s Prescription Diet Kidney Care Dry Dog Food as a quality, low-phosphorus dog food. It includes less than 0.5% phosphorus and 12% protein to be gentle on your pet’s kidneys, allowing them to recuperate.
It is also a low-sodium meal that aids with blood pressure regulation. It contains several high-quality ingredients, including brewer’s rice, barley, and beet pulp, to provide complex carbohydrates for energy and satiety.
Fish oil provides the omega fatty acids that your pet needs, and fortification adds critical vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids.
Hill’s Kidney Care is fairly expensive and requires a prescription from a veterinarian, so you will need to pay for both the food and the vet charge. Additionally, some dogs did not enjoy it or would try it a few times before abandoning it.
Pros
- 12% protein
- 0.5% or less phosphorus
- Superior Appetite Trigger innovation
- Low sodium
- Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
- Essential amino acids
Cons
- Expensive
- Some dogs don’t enjoy it
- Prescription-only
Original Ultra Natural Balance Canned Dog Food
Natural Balance Original Ultra Canned Dog Food has only 0.25 percent phosphorus and around 8 percent protein.
It contains genuine fruits and vegetables, like as blueberries, cranberries, kelp, and spinach, which provide an abundance of essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber to help regulate your pet’s digestion.
In addition to the inclusion of vitamins and minerals, the salmon fills the dish with potent omega fats.
Natural Balance Original’s lack of an easy-lift mechanism necessitates the use of a can opener, which is one of the product’s most significant flaws. The food within the can is extremely mushy and difficult to remove. Additionally, it gives your dog fishy breath.
Pros
- 8% protein
- 25% phosphorus
- Omega phospholipids
- genuine fruits and veggies
- Vitamins and minerals were added
- Fiber
Cons
- Can requires an opening
- Effects in fishy dog breath
- Wet foods
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Dry Dog Food with Kidney Function Formula
Purina Pro Plan Diets for Animals Formula of Renal Function Dry Dog Food contains 12% protein and 0.4% phosphorus to aid in the recovery of your pet’s kidneys.
Additionally, it is low in salt and includes fish oils, which give omega fats for your cat. It is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to strengthen your pet’s immune system and prevent sickness.
The major issue we have with Purina Pro Plan is that maize is the first component listed, and we try to avoid corn whenever possible.
It is only available by prescription, so you will need to make an appointment with the veterinarian to receive it. It is a very dry diet, and our dogs did not like it. Additionally, the kibble is too big for many tiny dogs.
Pros
- 5% protein
- 4% phosphate
- Omega fats
- Low sodium
- Antioxidants
Cons
- Some dogs don’t enjoy it
- Initial corn ingredient
- Prescription-only
- Very dry
- Large kibble
Diamond Care RX Renal Formula Dry Dog Food for Adults
The prescription food Diamond Care RX Renal Formula Adult Dry Dog Food has 13% protein and 0.5% phosphorus. Flaxseed provides the omega fats your pet requires, and because it is low in salt, it can help lower blood pressure in some dogs.
It contains no maize or soy, which might irritate your pet’s digestive system, and is supplemented with vitamins and minerals to give a full and balanced diet.
Ordering Diamond Care RX requires a prescription, necessitating an expensive trip to the veterinarian. While it was simpler to convince our dogs to consume this brand than many others on this list, it occasionally produces loose stools.
Pros
- 13% protein
- 5% phosphate
- Flaxseed
- Low sodium
- No maize or soy
Cons
- Prescription-only
- Can result in loose stools
- Some dogs don’t enjoy it
Solid Gold Green Cow Green Beef Tripe in Beef Broth
The first component in Solid Gold Green Cow Green Beef Tripe in Beef Broth is beef tripe. It maintains a protein level of 9.5% and contains only 0.12% phosphorus.
It is grain-free and contains neither maize nor soy, nor any dangerous chemical preservatives. This cuisine is available in easy-to-open cans and single-serving packets.
The disadvantage of Solid Gold Green Cow is that it is quite mushy and stinky, leaving the dog with poor breath. It does not resemble or smell much like tripe, and its light-grey hue is not particularly pleasant.
We also believe that the potatoes are really filler, and there are brands that contain solely tripe.
Pros
- Beef tripe top ingredient
- scarce ingredients
- 5% protein
- 19 percent phosphorous
- Grain-free
- No chemical preservatives
- Simple serving cups
- No corn and no soy
Cons
- Potatoes
- Mushy
- Smells terrible
- Doesn’t look or smell like tripe
Lotus Good Grains Adult Dry Dog Food, Oven-Baked
Good Grains Chicken Recipe Oven-Baked Adult Dry Dog Food by Lotus Hell is somewhat higher in protein, at 24%, than the majority of other brands on this list. Its principal component is chicken.
It’s also somewhat higher in phosphorus, at 0.76 percent, but it’s still rather low, making it beneficial for dogs with mild health issues.
It contains an abundance of actual fruits and vegetables, such as apples, spinach, blueberries, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes, which give an abundance of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Omega-3 fats are found in salmon and olive oil. In addition, it contains nutritious grains that give complex carbohydrates for energy and is oven-baked to preserve taste.
Phosphorus content is the biggest disadvantage of Lotus Good Grains compared to other products on our list. Additionally, it has an odd odor and caused our dogs to have loose feces.
Pros
- Chicken is the primary element
- Genuine fruits and veggies are present
- Whole grains
- Oven-baked
- 76 percent phosphorus
- 24% protein
Cons
- Can result in loose stools
- Slightly elevated phosphorus concentration
- Smells terrible
Nulo FreeStyle Dry Dog Food Grain-Free Puppy
Recipe for Nulo FreeStyle Grain-Free Turkey & Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food This is the last low phosphorus dog food on our list to be reviewed, and it features deboned turkey as its primary component, but it does not limit its protein to turkey.
It also contains deboned fish, which brings the protein content to 33%, the highest on this list. It contains genuine fruits and vegetables, such as yellow peas, carrots, tomatoes, blueberries, and apples, and has a low glycemic index, so it will not alter your pet’s blood sugar levels.
The greater phosphorus level in Nulo FreeStyle makes this better as a preventive meal, although it’s still quite low compared to other brands.
Additionally, it is exceedingly pricey and has a foul odor. It is dry and left a great deal of dust in the bag after the meal was consumed; our dogs did not enjoy it.
Pros
- The main component is deboned turkey
- Trout
- genuine fruits and veggies
- 33% protein
- 9% Phosphorus
Cons
- Increased phosphorus content
- Expensive
- Dusty
- Smells terrible
- Some dogs don’t enjoy it
A Buyer's Guide to Selecting the Finest Low Phosphorus Dog Foods
Here are some factors to consider while selecting the finest dog meals low in phosphorus.
Retarding the progression of renal disease
Dietary phosphorus reduction and the addition of omega-3 fatty acids are the most effective methods for slowing the advancement of kidney disease and extending the life of your pet, but there are further measures you may take, which we will outline below.
Phosphorus
Unfortunately, phosphorus restriction will not assist reduce the course of renal disease until the disease has reached the stage where it contributes an excessive amount of creatinine to the circulation.
After the condition has developed to the point where phosphorus reduction is beneficial, doctors advise maintaining phosphorus levels below 0.6%.
Check the dry matter calculation when comparing dry to wet foods, as the amount per can or serving will differ between brands. As the condition advances, it may be necessary to lower phosphorus levels even more.
Omega Fats
Unlike phosphorus, omega fat therapy may begin as soon as kidney illness is diagnosed, if not earlier. The optimal dosage of EPA+DHA per pound of body weight for a fish oil supplement, according to experts, is 50 milligrams (mg) per pound of body weight.
Protein
According to experts, protein restriction is unnecessary unless your pet is uremic or has protein in their urine. Dogs rely substantially on protein as an energy source and building block for lean muscle.
It also aids in satiety, thus we only advocate lowering protein on the advice of a veterinarian.
Wet Food vs. Dry
Typically, we prefer dry dog food since it aids in tooth cleaning, is more convenient to store, and is significantly less expensive.
However, wet food adds essential moisture to your pet’s diet, helping to keep them hydrated, which is a main need for dogs with renal difficulties.
If you prefer to feed your dog dry food, we suggest adding water during feeding time. However, keep in mind that dry dog food can degrade once water is added, so just wet what they’ll consume quickly.
Recent Foods
You may also add fresh items to your pet’s diet to assist keep phosphorus levels low or to encourage them to eat the food, particularly if you wish to maintain a high protein content.
Potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, and pasta are naturally low in phosphorus, full, and delicious. The addition of these items to a commercial diet will reduce the phosphorus content of that meal.
Conclusion
When selecting a low-phosphorus dog food brand for your pet, our list of the top low-phosphorus dog foods is a fantastic place to begin.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula dry dog food is low in phosphorus and has a healthy amount of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. It also includes glucosamine, which is beneficial for arthritis and joint inflammation.
Dave’s Limited Diet Dog Food Canned dog food is our top recommendation for the finest low-phosphorus food on a budget. This wet food delivers hydration as well as more fresh fruits and veggies while maintaining low levels of phosphorus and salt.
BestForPets (bestforpets.org) would like to thank our readers for visiting our website to learn about and research the best low phosphorus dog foods.
We hope you liked reading our concise buyer evaluations and advice and that they assisted you in selecting pet food. Hopefully, your cat will tolerate it and it will stop the illness from spreading.
Please share this information about low-phosphorus dog food on Facebook and Twitter if you find it useful.
Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.
Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher
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