9 Best Dog Food For Liver Disease In 2022

This review aims to give you a definitive guide to some of the best dog food for liver disease.

The liver is an essential organ for the health of our four-legged friends and when its functionality is compromised, specific care and attention are required. 

In this sense, it is very useful to know the foods for dogs with liver problems, in order to offer Fido the right diet. 

The diet in this case does not have the simple purpose of feeding the dog but must help him recover from the disease by accelerating and promoting the healing process.

There are several diseases that can compromise the dog’s liver function and the first step to treating Fido, as always, is to rely on the care of an experienced veterinarian. 

The doctor must carry out all the necessary tests to trace the problem, identify it, and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

 In addition to the medications, which are essential for the dog’s recovery, he can recommend some foods for dogs with liver problems that will surely help him to return happy and healthy soon.

This article will let you know:

  • What food to buy which will help your dog with hepatic disease.
  • What are the differences between different kinds of diets and how do they aim to treat?
  • How ingredients can really help.

Let’s get started.

Table of Contents

9 Best Dog Foods for Dogs With Liver Disease Reviewed

Below you’ll find the list of dog foods that will help your dog to fight liver disease.

1. Hill’s Prescription Liver Care Dog Food – Best Overall

Best Dog Food For Liver Disease
Best Dog Food For Bladder Stones
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Main features â€“

FlavorPork
Top 5 IngredientsBrewers Rice, Chicken, Chicken Fat,
Egg Product, Soybean Meal
Item FormDry
Breed RecommendationAll Breed Sizes

Reasons to suggest–.

  • Hill’s Prescription Diet l / d Canine is a complete dry food specifically formulated for all those dogs suffering from liver disorders. 
  • This meal is composed of proteins and amino acids, highly digestible and in balanced quantities, which help to reduce the hepatic workload.
  • The presence of Zinc and Vitamin K helps reduce the risk of deficiencies, typical of liver disorders.
  • It contained High  L-Carnitine and L-Arginine at correct levels that will help to maintain normal fat metabolism in the liver.
  • Hill’s Prescription Diet l / d Canine provides great support to neutralize free radicals.
  • You can find this dog food also in wet form.

2. ROYAL CANIN Hepatic Dog Food – Premium Choice

Best Dog Food For Liver Disease
Best Dog Food For Bladder Stones
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Main features â€“

FlavorVegetable
Top 5 IngredientsBrewers Rice, Corn, Brown Rice,
Soy Protein Isolate, Chicken Fat
Item FormDry
Breed RecommendationAll Breed Sizes

Reasons to suggest–.

  • Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hepatic Formula Dry Dog Food is simple dietetic food for dogs that supports liver function in chronic liver failure. 
  •  Moderate level of high-quality protein. High level of essential fatty acids and highly digestible carbohydrates
  •  Low copper level. Ideal for dogs with liver problems Vegetable protein Low level of copper to reduce build-up in liver cells Antioxidants to help support the immune system High energy density kibble
  • This recipe contained highly digestible vegetable proteins that are very well tolerated by dogs suffering from hepatic encephalopathy and help to counteract hyperammonemia.
  •  The synergistic complex of antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C, taurine, lutein) protects cells from attacks by aggressive metabolic products.
  • This diet can also be found in wet form.

3. The Honest Kitchen Dog Food – Best For Puppies

Best Dog Food For Liver Disease
Best Dog Food For Bladder Stones
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Main features â€“

FlavorTurkey
Top 5 IngredientsDehydrated turkey, organic oats,
dehydrated potatoes & flaxseed,
dehydrated carrots
Item FormDry
Breed RecommendationAll Breed Sizes

Reasons to suggest–

  • The Honest Kitchen has motivated many dog ​​owners to use their rich, dehydrated dog food due to its organic nature.
  • The Honest Kitchen has created the first of its kind in providing human-quality organic food with 100% ingredients.
  • As a result, this whole-grain turkey recipe has been specially designed with quality and safety in mind.
  • Made with free-range turkey, this tender food has been dried and provides optimal nutrition for dogs of all ages and sizes.
  • It is organic and contains no additives, GMO ingredients, or by-products. Made in the USA, 1 pack includes 14 pounds. Of the product.

4. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Dry Dog Food

Best Dog Food For Liver Disease
Best Dog Food For Bladder Stones
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Main features â€“

FlavorChicken, Grain-Free
Top 5 IngredientsDeboned Chicken, Chicken Meal,
Peas, Pea Protein, Tapioca Starch, 
Item FormDry
Breed RecommendationAll Breed Sizes

Reasons to suggest–

  • The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Adult Dry Dog Food can be a great choice for your dog who is suffering from liver disease.
  • This recipe is completely grain-free and comes with some great nutrients which help the liver to heal & it contained sweet potatoes and peas which are great energy sources to maintain an adult dog’s active lifestyle.
  • Before feeding this food to the dog kindly check with your vet because it contained high protein. The dog always needs a high contained food & it has more quantity of protein so you can it easily for your dog.
  • Blue Buffalo brand is always known for producing premium recipe food for dogs. This formula is created to help the dogs to maintain a healthy body mass, coat, and bone structure.
  • This recipe is designed to support the dogs’ immunity and balance required for all life stage nutritional requirements.
  • This diet can also be found in wet form.

5. Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet KS Kidney Support Grain-Free Formula Dry Dog Food

Best Dog Food For Liver Disease
Best Dog Food For Bladder Stones
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Main features â€“

FlavorChicken
Top 5 IngredientsDeboned Chicken, Potato Starch,
Pea Starch, Peas, Potatoes
Item FormDry
Breed RecommendationAll Breed Sizes

Reasons to suggest–

  •  BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet KS Kidney Support dry dog food is specially designed to support your dog’s kidney activity & functions.
  • This recipe is specially designed to control the levels of protein (obtained from chicken ) to control your dog’s kidney activity.
  • Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet formulas do not have chicken (or poultry) by-product meals, corn, wheat, or soy, and they also don’t use artificial flavors or preservatives which is great for a dog’s overall health.
  • The great thing about this product is, that it is supplemented with  L-Carnitine, DL-Methionine, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and prebiotics, all of these supplements known for helping the liver function.

6. Hill’s Prescription Liver Care Dog Food

Best Dog Foods For Liver Disease
Best Low Carb Dog Foods

Product Detail –

FlavorChicken
Top 5 IngredientsAll-Natural
Item FormDry
Breed RecommendationAll Breed Sizes

Reasons to suggest–

  • This Hill’s Prescription Diet l / d Liver Care Canine Dry Dog Food is our number one choice because it is the most suitable and nutritionally balanced commercial food we can find. 
  • It was a specific recipe for liver disease in dogs. It was formulated to regenerate the body and reverse the problem.
  • The recipe helps remove toxins from the blood and buildup in the system to allow digestion to flow naturally and effortlessly.
  •  It is designed to regrow vital tissues, avoid nutritional deficiencies and promote healthy immunity.
  • It has a component called S + OXSHIELD, which helps reduce calcium oxalate crystals in the urinary tract. Overall, we couldn’t find a better solution to benefit from every aspect of your pet’s condition. 
  • While it is exceptionally healthy for liver disease, it may lack some taste, as some dogs seem not to like the taste of it.
  • All in all, we think this is the best dog food for liver disease.

7. Halo Vegan Dry Dog Food – Best value for money

Best Dog Foods For Liver Disease
Best Low Carb Dog Foods

Product Detail –

FlavorNutrition
Main IngredientsChicken, Pea Protein,
Ground Green Peas, Oat Hulls
Item FormDry
Breed RecommendationAll Breed Sizes

Reasons to suggest–

  • Halo Vegan Dry Dog Food is the best dog food for liver disease for the money. As the name suggests, it is completely plant-based with no animal by-products. It comes in different bag sizes so you can buy everything you need.
  • Since liver disease sufferers may be sensitive to animal-based proteins, this food offers a great alternative. Halo offers the same percentage of necessary protein while being totally digestible. 
  • It is completely natural, non-GMO, and grain-free. There are no preservatives or artificial flavors added.
  • Especially for vegan recipes, this dog food is much cheaper in comparison and offers the same fantastic nutrition. 
  • You may need to supplement with other additives recommended by your vet. However, it’s the best value on the list due to its high quality and affordability.

8. ROYAL CANIN Hepatic Dog Food – Premium Choice

Best Dog Foods For Liver Disease
Best Low Carb Dog Foods

Product Detail –

FlavorVegetable
Item FormDry
Specific Uses for ProductImmune System

Reasons to suggest–

  • If you don’t mind giving their new diet a little extra, this ROYAL CANIN Canine Hepatic Dry Dog Food is our premium choice. 
  • It is a recipe specifically formulated to support liver recovery, symptom management, and optimal nutrition.
  • This guy has all the goodies your pup needs. With a lower sodium and copper content, it will help reduce blood pressure and metal buildup in your dog’s system.
  •  It is loaded with zinc, fiber, B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. This will help reduce inflammation and support healing.
  • It has vegetable protein for dogs that have neurological problems due to liver disease. 
  • This is a very healthy, nutrient-rich, and specialized recipe to help your dog grow and recover. While expensive, this food seems to deliver in all areas it should.
  • If money isn’t an issue, it would be worth it, which is why it’s our premium pick for the best dry dog ​​food for liver disease.

9. Original Instinct dry dog ​​food

Best Dog Foods For Liver Disease
Best Low Carb Dog Foods

Product Detail –

FlavorChicken
Main IngredientsChicken, Chicken Meal,
Peas, Chicken Fat,
Menhaden Fish Meal
Item FormPellet, Raw, Dry
Breed RecommendationAll Breed Sizes

Reasons to suggest–

  • Instinct Original Dry Dog Food is another all-natural, grain-free recipe. It is made from cage-free chicken. 
  • They introduced raw coated kibble to the world of dog food. Each piece has a coating to protect the meat but is raw and unprocessed.
  • This food is made for all stages of life. However, there is a notice on the bag showing that it is not intended for consumption by large puppies. So, if you have a large teenage breed, another selection may be better suited for liver health.
  • Some dogs show sensitivity to the proteins used in this dog food, so it may not be suitable for all stomachs. 
  • Go with caution and keep an eye on digestion changes. There have been three proteins added since this recipe was first released, so it’s essential to note.

What are liver diseases?

Among the dog diseases that can appear, there are liver diseases. But what are they?

By liver disease, we mean all those diseases that have to do with the liver of our dog.

The liver is a very complex and fundamental organ: it is responsible for the absorption, metabolism, and storage of most of the nutrients, taking care of the digestion of the foods that your faithful friend ingests.

It is therefore endowed with an excellent regenerative capacity and for this reason, liver diseases are not easy to identify. In fact, it is often realized that the dog suffers from liver failure only too late, in an advanced stage of the disease.

Liver diseases can be of an acute or chronic nature and if diagnosed in time, they can be treated promptly, not only through the intake of drugs but also thanks to adequate dietary therapy. It is important to keep them under control, as they can cause epilepsy in dogs.

What Causes Liver Disease in Dogs?

In this article, we will look at what are the most common causes of liver disease in dogs, and how to identify the symptoms.

1. Accidents or injuries

The main causes of liver disease are usually related to health problems and disease. But liver damage can also be caused by injuries or accidents. If your dog is hit by a car or has a bad fall, it is always best to take him to the vet for a checkup even if he appears to be fine, as he could suffer from internal injuries.

2. Heatstroke

Heatstroke is a serious problem for dogs, especially in the summer months. Heatstroke, in fact, can be fatal and cause permanent damage to internal organs, including the liver, even if the dog appears to be doing well.

3. Secondary complications related to infection

Bacterial or viral infections can affect the liver and other internal organs, and can often be resolved with the right medical treatment. However, a chronic or drug-resistant infection can cause permanent damage to your dog’s liver.

4. Inappropriate diet

Feeding your dog foods that are appropriate for their age and needs is the best way to ensure they stay healthy. If your dog’s diet does not include foods that are healthy or right for his needs, a variety of problems could arise, some immediate and others slowly developing. 

Of course, liver disease does not always manifest immediately from these causes, but one must always keep in mind the possibility that it could occur.

5. Long-term treatment with medicines

Some types of medicines used for long-term care could cause liver damage, as it may not be able to process them properly, thus causing a buildup in the liver tissues. Among these medicines, we find quite common painkillers or steroids suitable for the treatment of chronic diseases. When prescribing these medicines, your vet will need to let you know.

However, in many cases, the benefits your dog derives from these medicines far outweigh the risk he or she runs, so a balance must be struck between the two.

6. Congenital anomalies

If a puppy is born with a congenital abnormality or inherited poor health, the liver may not develop properly and consequently be unable to perform basic functions.

Before giving birth to puppies, it is a good idea to have the parents examined to see if there are any health problems to watch out for.

7. Toxins and poisons

Finally, if your dog ingests toxins or poisonous substances, the liver is often the first organ with which the substances come into contact because it is responsible for filtering toxins from the blood. If you know for sure or suspect your dog has ingested something toxic or poisonous, take him to the vet immediately.

How do recognize liver disease in dogs?

Liver disease in dogs is quite common. They are difficult to recognize quickly because the liver disease usually has no symptoms until it is at an advanced stage. Since the liver regenerates quickly with targeted medical treatment, there is always a good chance of recovery.

Early symptoms of liver disease in dogs can include:

  • diarrhea, vomiting, and fever
  • excessive consumption of water and increased urinary losses
  • loss of appetite
  • weight loss
  • weakness

How can I help my dog with liver problems??

If your dog exhibits one or more of these symptoms, consult a veterinarian who will investigate if your four-legged friend has liver disease. Your vet can diagnose and treat the disease by blood tests, abdominal ultrasound, or tissue sampling.

If the dog has elevated liver values ​​due to dysfunction, it is generally necessary to follow a support diet that helps detoxify and reduce the metabolic load.

What tests are needed in diagnosing liver disease?

Liver diseases are very complex and, as we have said, difficult to identify precisely because they are often asymptomatic.

This means that simple laboratory tests are not enough to make sure that you are in the presence of a form of liver disease, even if these are certainly the starting point not only to start the diagnostic process but also to evaluate the presence of any non-hepatic diseases.

In addition to laboratory tests and biopsy, your dog may need to undergo medical imaging, such as x-rays, ultrasound, mesenteric portography, and liver scintigraphy, in order to assess the stage of liver failure and any vascular distress.

What liver diseases can affect the dog?

These factors may indicate that the dog’s liver function is impaired. Liver disease in older dogs, for example, is often the result of other diseases. Poisoning, prolonged administration of drugs, tumors, or being overweight are also possible causes of liver disease in dogs.

Here are the possible causes of liver disease in dogs:

  • congenital diseases, such as Wilson’s disease or portosystemic shunt
  • liver fibrosis
  • hepatitis
  • liver tumors
  • liver damage caused by intoxication or prolonged administration of drugs
  • obesity, fatty liver

What foods help liver damage?

This article lists the top 11 foods to support liver health.

  1. Coffee. Coffee is one of the best drinks you can drink for liver health. â€¦
  2. Tea. â€¦
  3. Grapefruit. â€¦
  4. Blueberries and cranberries. â€¦
  5. Grape. â€¦
  6. Prickly pear. â€¦
  7. Beet juice. â€¦
  8. Cruciferous vegetables.

FAQ

What to feed the dog with liver disease?

A protein content between 14 – 16% is recommended 
with high-quality proteins such as eggs, fish ( low fat), cottage cheese (low fat ), chicken, and turkey. 
Cereals are generally tolerated but must be well cooked.

How to detoxify a dog’s liver?

The liver function, during the change 
of seasons, can be favored by using specific supplements 
such as Green Vet Apasyl (based on milk 
thistle and artichoke). 
In fact, supplements facilitate the liver in its activities, favoring its purification

What should dogs with liver problems not eat?

Foods such as organ meats and fish contain higher levels of certain compounds (purines, certain amino acids) that can be especially harmful to dogs with severe liver disease.

How can I help my dog with liver problems?

Diet changes often help. Your dog may need a special diet to make sure he gets the nutrients and calories his liver needs. Supplements like SAM-E or milk thistle can help the liver recover. Antibiotics are used for liver infections.

Can a dog recover from liver damage?

It’s irreversible. Before the liver reaches this terminal stage, it can recover from damage and heal itself to the point where your dog will have a normal liver function. This is possible if the right treatment is given at an early stage; the degree of recovery depends on the exact cause of the liver damage.

Is peanut butter good for dogs with liver disease?

Most peanut butter contains aflatoxins, one of the most carcinogenic substances on the planet. Studies have shown that aflatoxin can cause liver cancer in laboratory animals and is also dangerous for your pet.

How can I lower my dog’s liver enzyme levels naturally?

Green vegetables not only contain valuable vitamins and minerals, but also natural cleansers and antioxidants that help cleanse the blood and liver. Giving your pet green vegetables such as green beans, squash, or asparagus along with carrots will provide fresh enzymes and extra nutrition.

Is raw food suitable for dogs with liver problems?

“In general, raw foods support the liver and help cleanse it,” says Julia Enriquez, managing editor of Dogs Naturally Magazine. “Feeding your dog a fresh, raw diet is always the best diet that gives him a solid foundation for his overall well-being.”

Is tuna good for dogs?

Tuna is not toxic to dogs and small amounts will not cause mercury poisoning. If you have both a dog and a cat, make sure your puppy does not eat cat food, as wet cat food often contains tuna. Cats are also susceptible to mercury poisoning, so consider choosing cat food made from other types of fish.

Is bone broth suitable for dogs with liver disease?

Detoxification is a huge trend among people. But did you know that bone broth will help detoxify your dog’s liver? Yep, it’s true!

Are eggs OK for dogs with liver disease?

A double-blind RCT showed that probiotics (yogurt is one of the best sources) can improve liver aminotransferase levels in patients with NAFLD.

Is chicken good for the liver?

Saturated Fats: Processed and packaged foods are likely high in saturated fats, which can exacerbate the fatty liver disease. Red meat is also rich in saturated fats and should be avoided by people with fatty liver. Lean meats like chicken, fish, tofu, etc. should be the preferred option for them.

How long can a dog live with liver problems?

In liver cirrhosis, the prognosis was poor, with 94% of dogs dying within one week of diagnosis. For dogs with other types of chronic hepatitis, the prognosis was more favorable, with a mean life expectancy of 21.1 to 36.4 months.

Is liver failure painful for dogs?

In some cases, this is not possible and therapy aims to maintain the remaining liver function. Liver disease is a painless condition, however, dogs and cats may experience nausea, neurology, or fluid buildup in the abdomen, all of which require medication to control.

How do you know if your dog has liver problems?

Signs that a dog has the liver disease can vary and include loss of appetite, vomiting, stomach ulcers, diarrhea, seizures or other neurological problems, fever, blood clotting problems, jaundice (yellow tint visible on the skin, mucous membranes, and eyes ), accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, profuse and urination.

Simply select your dog’s condition below to access the guide.

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