How to Make a Homemade Diet for Liver Failure in a Dog

Liver failure can strike dogs of any age or breed.

Liver failure is defined as a 75 percent loss of liver function causing massive liver necrosis, according to PetPlace.com, a website devoted to pet health information. Many factors can cause liver failure in dogs, and symptoms can include diarrhea, seizures, jaundice, enlargement of the abdominal area, vomiting and bleeding. Treatments include diuretics, vitamin K, colloids, antibiotics and a specialized diet.

Things You'll Need

• 100 g beef, or minced meat with 15 percent fat
• 440 g cooked brown rice
• 400 g tofu
• 30 g boiled carrots (drained)
• 10 g wheat bran
• 20 g rapeseed oil
• Vitamin supplement of your choice
• Blender

Instructions

1. Mix meat, rice, tofu, carrots, wheat bran and rapeseed oil in a blender until they reach a smooth consistency. Instead of beef and tofu, you can use chicken breast (with the skin) and add more cooked rice.

2. Add a vitamin supplement that contains any of the ingredients in the recipe. Other vitamin supplements that can help treat liver failure include B, C, E, and K vitamins, zinc, phosphatidylcholine and silymarin, according to DogHealthGuide.org, a website devoted to canine health.

3. Feed the mixture to your dog at least twice a day. Large dogs will need to eat relatively small amounts because of their slower metabolisms, while highly active dogs may need to eat considerably more. If your dog does not have a good appetite, it may be helpful to warm up the food and feed smaller amounts throughout the day.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult with your veterinarian before feeding your dog any homemade diet. A veterinarian will be able to tell you specific ingredients that your dog may need. Each dog has different needs depending on the cause and extent of the liver failure.

• Many commercial dog foods offer highly digestible varieties specifically for dogs experiencing liver failure.

• Be sure that your dog drinks plenty of water.

• Take your dog to the veterinarian for regularly to monitor his progress.

• Avoid giving your dog sodium, copper or potassium. Copper in particular can accumulate in the liver, causing further liver function problems.

• DogHealthGuide.org recommends that you avoid feeding your dog pork, duck or lamb.

References

• Pet Place: Hepatic Failure in Dogs
• Dog Health Guide: Canine Liver Disease

Resources

• Canine Epilepsy: Liver Disease