Why Can't a Dog With Renal Failure Gain Weight?

Dogs with renal failure may not be as active as they once were.

Understanding what is happening in your dog's body during renal failure can help you adequately care for your pet. Renal failure is prevalent among senior dogs and occurs due to the wearing down of the kidneys. One of the main symptoms of renal failure is weight loss. This occurs due to the many changes in body chemistry caused by kidney problems.

Body Chemistry

Renal failure alters a dog's body chemistry, particularly in terms of mineral and fluid levels. Even slight changes in a dog's body chemistry can affect her ability to gain weight.

Loss of Appetite

The many changes taking place in the dog's body during renal failure do not affect his physical ability to gain weight, but they do alter his appetite. A dog with kidney problems may not maintain his proper weight due to a loss of appetite.

Protein-Rich Foods

Dogs consuming foods rich in protein during renal failure can experience an increase in urea in the bloodstream. This material acts as a poison, making the dog feel even sicker and contributing significantly to a loss of appetite.

Prevention/Solution

You can potentially minimize the weight loss during renal failure by switching your dog to a diet low in phosphorous and protein. This reduces the strain on the kidneys. To prevent renal failure in an older dog, feed her formulas intended for senior dogs.

Phosphorous

Phosphorous is a direct culprit of loss of appetite in dogs with renal failure. During renal failure, phosphorous levels in the blood are high. These levels directly contribute to symptoms of loss of appetite and lethargy. If this is a concern, speak to your pet's veterinarian about a drug to control the phosphorous in your dog's blood.

References

• Vet Info: Kidney Failure Symptoms
• Pawprints & Purrs: Chronic Kidney Failure in Dogs