Kidney Support Diet For Dogs

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Medicus Bladder Health Diets for dogs are therapeutic meals designed to provide the nutritional framework for the needs of dogs with bladder inflammation and struvite formation.

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A Diet Grounded in Modern Science

A Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) diagnosis may not go away, but dogs can live years beyond the prognosis with the right approach.

Clean, whole-food nutrition provides not only the nutrients for the disease state but a nutritional framework that can drastically impact the CKD dog for the better.

For the CKD dog, the goal is to limit phosphorus and ease the workload for the kidney with moderate amounts of clean, quality protein to maintain body weight and lean muscle.

The disease is the priority, dictating nutritional needs, which guide the ingredients chosen in a CKD diet.

Diet Overview

Designed to nourish the body and protect the kidneys by lessening their workload.

The Medicus Canine Kidney Support Diet is formulated with real, whole foods chosen by design for their form and function.

Highlights

Moderate levels of high-quality, bioavailable animal-based proteins
Reduced phosphorus
Natural phosphorus binders
Healthy levels of potassium
High levels of B vitamins
Optimal ratio of healthy fats

Who would benefit from this diet?

Chronic Kidney Failure with or without azotemia
Acute Kidney Failure
Conditions Requiring Low Dietary Phosphorus

How It Works

The Medicus Canine Kidney Support Diet is meticulously crafted using real, whole foods to address these key nutritional needs:

Nourishes the Body with Clean, Whole Food

Moderate levels of high-quality protein from meat and organs like grass-fed beef, egg, beef liver & kidney

Moderate levels of healthy fats

Antioxidants from USDA-Organic sweet potatoes, blueberries, & beets, all sourced in the US

Limits the Nutrients that the Kidney has to Process

Low phosphorus ingredients, like a small addition of rice, balance the high phosphorus content of high-quality meats and reduce phosphorus intake

Chitosan and egg shells bind phosphorus in the gut so it can be eliminated

Replaces Nutrients Challenged by Increased Urination

Added Potassium, electrolyte replenisher, and B vitamins

Supports Crucial Kidney Function

Omega-3 fatty acids from grass-fed beef and wild-caught ground krill sustainably sourced from Antarctica– Omega 6:Omega 3 Ratio 0.52:1

Nutrients vs Ingredients

Where Other Prescription Diets Fall Short

Science diets meet the nutrient profiles needed to address a disease state, but do so using poor-quality ingredients like meat meals, corn, and a lengthy list of synthetic nutrients.

We know that when an animal is sick, nutrition matters most, and that you can provide a therapeutic kidney diet with whole foods.

Compare Our Ingredients

Medicus

Beef, Rice, Egg, Beef Liver, Beef Kidney, Flaxseed, Sweet Potato, Ground Krill, Blueberries, Beets,

Potassium Salt, Ground Egg Shell, Chitosan, Kelp, Mixed Tocopherols, Zinc Proteinate, Niacin, Riboflavin, Thiamine, Vitamin B12, Pyridoxine, & Folic Acid

Hill’s® k/d Dry

Purina® NF Dry

Blue Buffalo® KS Kidney Support Dry

Hill’s® k/d Dry

Purina® NF Dry

Blue Buffalo® KS Kidney Support Dry

Proof in the Numbers

The Medicus Kidney Support diet meets all the nutrient requirements needed for a CKD diet with numbers comparable to, if not better than the leading science diets.

Ingredients Methodically Picked
for Form & Function

Beef

Red meat generally is lower in phosphorus than white chicken, turkey, or fish meat. Beef also offers nutrients like protein, the building block for muscles, ligaments, skin, and cell maintenance, and provides energy.

Rice

Dogs with kidney disease cannot properly process phosphorus. Unfortunately, meat has the highest concentration of phosphorus, so it was necessary to include rice to dampen the high phosphorus content of the meats in this recipe.

Egg

The egg itself is a complete protein, meaning it has all 9 amino acids the body needs from food and is low in phosphorus.

Beef Liver & Kidney

Liver contains 10 to 100 times the nutrients found in a serving of muscle meat. Kidneys provide a large percentage of a dog’s necessary daily vitamin intake.

Flaxseed

Full of polyphenols, an antioxidant that defends against oxidative stress to decrease inflammation.

Sweet Potato

These root vegetables offer fiber, beta-carotene, and antioxidants, including vitamin C.

Ground Krill

Brimming with nutrients including marine proteins, essential fatty acids, and a powerful antioxidant called astaxanthin, the combination is a powerful anti-inflammatory.

Blueberries

One of the most popular superfoods known for their antioxidant properties and ability to limit oxidative stress, which fights inflammation.

Beets

With Vitamin C, fiber, manganese, folate, and potassium, beets are packed with micronutrients that benefit the immune system and help fight inflammation.

Potassium Salt

Used as an electrolyte replenisher to ensure adequate potassium levels.

Ground Egg Shell

The shell is rich in calcium carbonate, which binds phosphorus in the gut so it can be eliminated.

Chitosan

Comes from the outer skeleton of shellfish like lobster, crab, and shrimp. It binds to phosphorus, which gets eliminated. It’s a natural way to manage phosphorus levels.

Kelp

Naturally high in antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties, and it’s a natural form of iodine.

Mixed Tocopherols

Part of the vitamin E family (akin to vegetable oil) & often used as a natural preservative to maintain freshness.

Zinc Proteinate

A chelated mineral bound to an amino acid that protects against oxidative stress.

B Vitamins

Niacin, Riboflavin, Thiamine, Vitamin B12, Pyridoxine, and Folic Acid are incredibly fragile B vitamins. They help a variety of enzymes do their jobs, so food more easily turns into energy in the body.

Our Standards

Click on a standard to read more.

Veterinary Developed

No Meat Meals

Veterinary-Formulated Nutrition

Developed by a veterinarian using whole-food ingredients and nutritional science to support specific physiological functions through purposeful nutrition.

No Rendered Meat Meals

Rendering converts animal carcasses into ingredients for animal feed. They are ground, heavily cooked, pressed to remove fats, ground again, and then dried. Included in this process are bones, organs, blood, feathers, and slaughter floor waste. Meal is a heavily-processed ingredient before it’s added as an ingredient to kibbles.

100% Real, Whole Foods

No High-Heat Cooking

Real, Whole-Food Nutrition

Made from real, whole-food ingredients rather than rendered meals or heavily processed powders. Whole foods provide nutrients the body can efficiently digest, absorb, and utilize.

No High-Heat Processing

Conventional kibble is produced using multiple heating steps, including extrusion and drying, which can expose ingredients to temperatures exceeding 400°F. These high temperatures are necessary for shelf stability and safety, but they can alter the structure of certain heat-sensitive nutrients and naturally occurring compounds found in whole foods. Medicus diets are freeze-dried instead. This low-temperature process removes moisture without exposing ingredients to high heat, helping preserve the nutritional integrity, digestibility, and bioavailability of whole-food ingredients.

Freeze-Dried

No Corn

Freeze-Dried to Preserve Nutrients

Freeze-drying removes moisture while preserving the original nutrient profile and digestibility of whole foods without high-heat processing.

No Corn or Corn Fillers

Our formulas do not include corn or corn-derived ingredients. Instead, we use whole-food carbohydrate sources selected for their digestibility and nutritional contribution to the overall formulation.

Carefully Selected Whole-Animal Meats

No Antibiotics

Clean, Digestible Animal Proteins

Uses digestible animal proteins that provide essential amino acids to support muscle maintenance, skin integrity, immune function, and metabolic health.

No Added Hormones or Routine Antibiotics

Because we source meats from trusted partners who follow responsible animal-raising practices, no antibiotics, hormones, or other medications are administered to the animals prior to slaughter. This helps preserve the integrity of the ingredients used in our formulas.

Locally Sourced Ingredients

No Artificial Preservatives

Trusted Ingredient Sourcing

Responsibly sourced from trusted suppliers who prioritize ingredient quality and safety. This sourcing approach allows us to select ingredients such as organically grown produce, wild-caught fish, and pasture-raised beef.

Naturally Preserved

We only use mixed tocopherols, a natural preservative, in all Medicus Diets. While it functions as a way to keep each bag of food shelf-stable and fresh, it is also an antioxidant.

Limited Ingredient

No Artificial Flavoring

Focused Ingredient Formulation

Limited ingredient formulations help support digestibility and allow more precise nutritional formulation for sensitive systems.

No Artificial Flavor Additives

Because all of our ingredients are freeze-dried, the original flavor remains, making it similar to a fresh or home-cooked diet in taste.

Organic Produce

No Artificial Dyes

Prioritizes Organically Grown Produce

Consumption of pesticides can increase oxidative stress and place unnecessary strain on the body. When available, we prioritize organically grown produce in our formulas. This means ingredients are grown without synthetic pesticides or herbicides, supporting cleaner, more natural nutrition from the ground up.

No Artificial Colors

Artificial dyes are used in pet foods to add color to brown kibble in an attempt to give them a more desirable and aesthetically pleasing color.

3rd-Party Tested

No Byproducts

Third-Party Tested for Safety and Accuracy

Each Medicus diet went through complete comprehensive 3rd party testing. Several rounds of AAFCO Nutrient Profile testing ensured that both macro and micronutrient levels are tending to your pet’s specific nutritional needs.

No Byproduct Ingredients

Byproducts are the result of whole foods being broken down into smaller parts, like peas being broken down into pea protein, pea flour, pea fiber, and pea starch. This allows pet food companies to list these as separate ingredients on their ingredient decks.

Minimally Processed

No Cellulose

Gentle Processing Methods

Prepared using gentle processing methods that preserve whole-food structure, digestibility, and nutrient availability.

No Cellulose or Fillers

Does not include non-nutritive bulking agents or filler ingredients.

Bioavailable Proteins

No Soy

Highly Digestible Protein Nutrition

Uses protein sources the body can efficiently digest, absorb, and utilize for tissue maintenance and metabolic function.

Soy-Free Formulation

No soy or soy-derived ingredients. Soy is often used as a concentrated plant protein, but we instead rely on whole-food animal proteins and complementary ingredients to provide complete amino acid profiles and balanced nutrition.

Antioxidant-Rich

No Rendered Fats

Whole-Food Antioxidant Nutrtion

Each Medicus formula contains naturally occurring antioxidants such as polyphenols from blueberries, carotenoids from spinach, and astaxanthin from krill. Antioxidants help protect cells from oxidative stress.

No Rendered Fat Ingredients

Uses fats naturally present in whole foods rather than rendered fats.

High levels of Omega 3 fatty acids

No Brewers Rice

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Nutrition

Omega-3 fatty acids support normal immune function, cardiovascular health, skin integrity, and renal physiology. Medicus formulas are uniquely formulated to provide an approximate 1:1 Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio using whole-food sources, a balance that differs significantly from conventional pet foods.

Whole Rice Only

Many kibble diets contain brewers rice, a fragmented byproduct of white rice processing. We use whole white rice selected for digestibility and nutritional contribution.

Independently Reviewed

No Wheat

Independently Evaluated Formulations

Each formulation undergoes independent review to verify ingredient safety, nutrient balance, and formulation integrity.

Wheat-Free Formulation

Wheat is commonly used as a filler for commercial kibble companies, as it is inexpensive and easily accessible. Wheat is used as a plant-based protein and isn’t as digestible or bioavailable for carnivores.

Made in WI

No Feed-Grade Ingredients

Made in the United States

Dr. Chris Bessent is the owner and operator of the Wisconsin-based facilities where Medicus is made. This gives her the ability to provide strict oversight of every step of the production phases, from when the ingredients enter the door to when the finished food leaves the facility to be delivered to your door. Every ingredient, each production phase, and every batch of food is logged for complete traceability.

Ingredient Quality Standards

Uses ingredients selected for safety, digestibility, and nutritional integrity.

Ingredients

Grass-Raised Beef, Rice, Egg, Grass-Raised Beef Liver, Grass-Raised Beef Kidney, Flaxseed, Sweet Potato, Ground Krill, Blueberries, Beets, Potassium Salt, Ground Egg Shell, Chitosan, Kelp, Mixed Tocopherols, Zinc Proteinate, Niacin, Riboflavin, Thiamine, Vitamin B12, Pyridoxine, & Folic Acid.

Cups In A Bag

99 g/cup | 4 1/2 cups/lb

Calorie Content

4,253 kcal/kg | 421 kcal/cup

Supplemental Feeding

The Medicus Canine Kidney Support Diet is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only.

Nutritional Facts

Dry Matter

Caloric

Dry Matter

Caloric

How to Feed

Feeding Guide

Always consult your veterinarian before introducing this diet to your dog. Start with these daily feeding guidelines and follow your veterinarian’s suggestions about the number of meals per day and whether the daily recommendation is right for your dog.

REHYDRATION RECOMMENDED

Water helps with digestion, circulation, and other bodily processes like perfusion (movement of fluids through the organ), which helps move the harmful byproducts through the filtration system and out of the body.

Palatibility Suggestions

Consult with your veterinarian before following these suggestions. Every dog and their condition is different, so it is best to learn whether the recommendations and ingredients are right for them.

Chicken Bone Broth

Hydrate your dog’s food with chicken bone broth (no sodium) as a nutritious and enticing way to add moisture and flavor. Bone broth sits well in a dog’s stomach so it is perfect for dogs with decreased appetite.

Sardines

Place a sardine on top of your dog’s meal. They are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, which have been shown to slow the decline of kidney function associated with kidney conditions.

Kefir

Hydrate your dog’s food with kefir, which contains probiotics, beneficial enzymes, and vitamins B & K. It is also a great source of calcium.

Transitioning

Day 1-2

Feed 25% | 75%
Medicus | Current Food

Day 3-4

Feed 50% | 50%
Medicus | Current Food

Day 5-6

Feed 75% | 25%
Medicus | Current Food

Day 7

Feed 100%
Medicus

FAQs

Why do you include rice in this recipe?

How Do I Handle Freeze-Dried Food for Dogs?

Store freeze-dried food like you would any of your dry goods. Keep them in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight for peak freshness.

It is important to note that because these foods are freeze-dried, moisture can affect the shelf life. To prevent that, reseal the product properly after every use by pushing out all residual air. If you live in a hot, humid environment, the product may be exposed to more moisture and shorten shelf life, so follow the above and store it in the fridge.

We recommend keeping the food in its original packaging since that bag was picked specifically to keep oxygen out. Our recipes are only packaged in individual, resealable bags to ensure the freshest food. And if you order more than 16 oz, you’ll get multiple individually packaged bags, so you only have to open one at a time.

How Are These Diets Made?

All of our diets are freeze-dried and undergo a pasteurization process that eliminates any bacteria to be safe and shelf-stable for immunocompromised pets. The freeze-drying process is not only a safe and effective pasteurization process but also retains 97% of food’s original vitamins and minerals, meaning these diets are undeniably as close to fresh, whole foods as possible.

Do I Have To Rehydrate The Food?

It is extremely recommended that you add some kind of moisture to your pet’s meal, whether that be from warm water, bone broth, or kefir. Moisture aids overall digestion and helps move any harmful substances out of the body. It is also essential for pets with kidney or bladder problems, as it replenishes fluid lost during increased urination and flushes bacteria out of the bladder.

What Should I Do With Leftovers That Have Already Been Rehydrated?

If there is remaining food left in your pet’s bowl, you can transfer it to an air-tight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Where Do Your Ingredients Come From?

We use locally-sourced ingredients for the freshest and highest-quality possible. All of our grass-fed meats, wild-caught fish, and organic produce are grocery-grade from trusted food suppliers.

Why Are Medicus Therapeutic Diets Only Available in One Size?

All Medicus Diets for dogs are packaged in 16 oz. bags and all Medicus Diets for cats are packaged in 8 oz. bags. This is to maintain peak freshness to preserve the quality and nutrients of the whole food ingredients. We also use mixed tocopherols, which is a natural preservative, in every diet to keep it shelf-stable and also provide additional antioxidants.

What Can I Do If My Pet is a Finicky Eater/Has a Loss of Appetite?

We recommend looking at our palatability enticers for each diet on their respective page, as they are catered to each aspect of health that the diet is centered around.

Following our transitioning guide can also help pets gradually adapt to their new food before fully feeding Medicus.

Are All of Your Recipes Complete & Balanced?

Medicus Therapeutic Diets consist of both Complete & Balanced Diets and those for Supplemental Feeding only.

Formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog/Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for adult maintenance.

Canine Sensitive Stomach Diet
Canine Skin Health Diet
Canine Cancer Support Diet
Feline Kidney Support Diet
Feline Bladder Health Diet
Feline Metabolic Support Diet

Intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only.

Canine Kidney Support Diet
Canine Bland Diet

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