The Best Dog Food for Cushing’s Disease: Top 6 Options
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Pet owners do have a wide range of responsibilities. For dog owners, one of the most important tasks they have is taking care of the diet of their dog. Dogs also experience a variety of health conditions just like humans, and their diets play a major role in these health conditions. One rare health condition dogs experience is Cushing’s disease.
While there are hundreds of dog foods in the market, only a few are best suited for dogs with this health condition. The best dog food for Cushing's disease is formulated to help reduce the symptoms of this disease and help to fight the root cause.
Cushing's disease is one of the major endocrine diseases that cause hyperlipidemia in dogs. This means too much fat in the blood. The best solution to this problem is to reduce the amount of circulating fats in the blood. Here are our top picks for the best dog food for Cushing's disease:
OUR TOP PICK
Our top pick is the Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult 7+ Morsels in Gravy. This wet dog food is great for older dogs, especially those with Cushing's disease, as it is low in fat and high in protein. It features a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to boost the digestive and immune health of your dog. It is inexpensive and highly palatable.
The Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult 7+ Beef & Rice Entree Morsels in Grave Canned Dog food is one of the best dog food for Cushing's disease and it is formulated for dogs that are 7 years of age and older. The formula of this diet is based around beef, which is super-rich in protein.
The top ingredients used to make this food are water sufficient for processing, beef, poultry, meat by-products, and wheat gluten. This food contains whole grains, which are healthy, highly digestible carb sources.
It contains only a few ingredients, which is great for dogs of this age. This food is also formulated with weight management in mind, as it comes with optimal levels of protein and fat.
It is also enriched with omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids to keep the skin and coat of your dog healthy and nourished. The recipe is easy to digest and it supports a healthy digestive system. You can either serve it alone or mix it with kibble.
This food is manufactured in the United States and it does not contain added artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. It is also ideal for dogs of all breeds and sizes. The protein content of this food is 10 percent while the minimum crude fat content is 3 percent. It contains a maximum crude fiber of 3 percent with a caloric content of 313 kilocalories per can.
Specs
Form: Wet Food
Life Stage: Adult, Senior
Breed Size: All breed sizes
Special Diet: Healthy digestion
Pros
It is palatable
Healthy weight management
Supports healthy skin and a shiny coat
Reduced fat content
Cons
Not the best option for dogs with sensitive stomachs
The second food on our list is the Evanger’s Grain-Free Rabbit Canned Dog Food. This dog food is not from one of the most popular dog food brands out there, but it is one of the best dog food for dogs with Cushing's disease. Holistic vets recommend this diet, and it comes with natural ingredients that help to treat Cushing's disease.
This food is made with a rabbit, which is a great protein source. It is a single-sourced, novel protein diet and it helps with healthy muscle maintenance. Other ingredients in this dog food include water sufficient for processing, liver, and guar gum. It is 100 percent natural and it does not contain allergic ingredients that could upset the tummy of your dog.
This limited ingredient diet is free of gluten and grains. It is also corn-free, soy-free, and wheat-free, with no trace of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, making it an excellent option for dogs with allergies and sensitivities. It is made in the United States and it is ideal for dogs of all breeds and sizes.
The protein content of this food is 10 percent while the minimum crude fat content is 5 percent. It contains a maximum crude fiber of 337 kilocalories per can.
Specs
Form: Wet Food
Life Stage: Adult
Breed Size: All breed sizes
Special Diet: Grain-free, gluten-free, limited ingredient diet, no corn, no soy, no wheat, pea-free
Pros
Limited ingredient diet
Grain-free, gluten-free
Novel protein
Reduces health conditions associated with older dogs
Cons
The comprehensive list of ingredients in this diet is not available
The Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner is another great dog food for dogs with Cushing's disease. This food comes with high-quality ingredients and great protein sources. This recipe is based around chicken and whole grains, and the ingredients are ideal for dogs with this health condition.
The top five ingredients of this food are sufficient water for processing, chicken by-products, chicken, meat by-products, and liver. It also contains beef and other great whole grains to provide your pup with all the energy and nutrients it needs.
It contains a great amount of omega fatty acids to provide your dog with a shiny coat and healthy skin. It is enriched with vitamins and minerals to boost the overall health of your dog.
This food contains a low-fat count and high protein count, which helps to alleviate the symptoms of this health condition. It is highly palatable, thanks to the different protein sources in this diet. It features a hearty chopped texture, which is soft and easy to chew. You can mix it with kibble or serve it alone, as it is a complete and balanced diet.
This canned dog food is ideal for adult dogs of all breeds and sizes. The protein content of this food is 8 percent while the minimum crude fat content is 6 percent. It contains a maximum crude fiber of 1 percent with a caloric content of 421 kilocalories per can.
This dog food is perfect for dogs with Cushing's disease, as it is low in fat and very high in protein. It is made with high-quality ingredients that are easy on the digestive system. This formula is completely grain-free, with no trace of gluten or other allergens.
The top five ingredients in this food are chicken (boneless, skinless, white breast), water sufficient for processing, potato starch, sunflower seed oil, and tricalcium phosphate. It is a limited ingredient diet with great carb alternatives to grains. It is also rich in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids to boost the skin and coat health of your dog.
This dog food is ideal for dogs with allergies and sensitivities, as it is free of GMO ingredients, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. This food is also free of added hormones, added antibiotics, and cage-free. It contains added minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants to boost the immune and digestive health of your dog.
It is ideal for dogs of all life stages. The protein content of this food is 10 percent while the minimum crude fat content is 1.4 percent. It contains a maximum crude fiber of 0.5 percent with a caloric content of 104 kcal/5.5 oz. can.
Specs
Form: Wet Food
Life Stage: All life stages
Breed Size: All breed sizes
Special Diet: Grain-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, pea-free
The Freestyle Chicken, Carrots & Peas Grain-Free formula from Nulo is one of the best dog food for Cushing's disease. This is completely free of grains, and it does not contain wheat, soy, corn, and other common dog allergens. It is also free of tapioca and starch.
The top five ingredients of this food are chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, carrots, and peas. It contains flaxseed, which is a great source of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids to help support a shiny coat and healthy skin. It comes with plenty of vitamins and chelated minerals to boost the overall health of your dog.
This diet also prevents overweight, which is one of the major health concerns for senior dogs, especially those with Cushing's disease. It features high-quality protein sources and low carbohydrates.
It also comes with added antioxidants to help strengthen the immune system of your dog. With this, your dog will become less prone to diseases. It also ensures that the impact of this health condition on your dog is less.
The protein content of this food is 10 percent while the minimum crude fat content is 8 percent. It contains a maximum crude fiber content of 1 percent with a caloric content of 462 kilocalories per can.
Specs
Form: Wet Food
Life Stage: Adult
Breed Size: All breed sizes
Special Diet: Grain-free, gluten-free, no corn, no soy, no wheat
The last on our list is the VICTOR Yukon River Salmon & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. This is one of the best dry dog food for Cushing's disease. It is suitable for all life stages and it is made with high-quality, stomach-friendly ingredients.
The top five ingredients of this diet are menhaden fish meal, peas, chicken fat, garbanzo beans, and dehydrated salmon. The fish meal in this diet is a great source of DHA, which supports healthy brain and eye function. It also contains sweet potato, which is a very rich, highly digestible carb.
This food features antioxidant-rich veggies and fruits to provide your pup with a healthy immune system. The chicken fat in this diet is also a great source of omega 3 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat.
It is packed with amino acids, chelated minerals, and vitamins to enhance the overall health of your dog. This food also contains probiotics and prebiotics for a healthy digestive system. It is completely grain-free, with no traces of corn, wheat, soy, and artificial additives.
It is ideal for dogs of all breeds and sizes. The protein content of this food is 33 percent while the minimum crude fat content is 16 percent. It contains a maximum crude fiber of 3.8 percent with a caloric content of 390 kilocalories per 8-ounce cup.
Specs
Form: Dry Food
Life Stage: All life stages
Breed Size: All breed sizes
Special Diet: Grain-free, gluten-free, no corn, no soy, no wheat
Pros
Grain-free
High-quality protein
Enriched with minerals, vitamins, and amino acids
Supports a healthy immune and digestive system
Cons
It is a bit low in omega fatty acids
The Best Dog Food for Cushing’s Disease Buying Guide
Low in Fat and High in Protein
When your dog is diagnosed with this health condition, the very first step towards treatment is switching to a low-fat diet. The food should contain low fat with moderate levels of protein, nothing less than 18 percent for dry dog food. If the protein content in the diet is low, it may result in an increase in serum cholesterol concentration.
As such, when picking dog food for your dog with Cushing's disease, you need to opt for a nutritionally complete diet that is low in fat and high in protein. All the dog foods on our list are low in fat and high in protein.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants also come in handy in this health condition. Food that is rich in antioxidants including selenium, vitamin C, alpha-tocopherol, methionine, and beta-carotene are highly beneficial in lowering circulating blood fats.
Fish Oil
Fish oil also has a role to play in the diet of a dog with Cushing's disease. Fish oil supplements help to reduce circulating triglycerides and fat.
Conclusion
There you go! Those are our top recommendations for the best dog food for Cushing's disease. The clear winner is the Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult 7+ Morsels in Gravy because it is low in fat and super-rich in protein. It is antioxidant-rich and it supports a healthy immune and digestive system.
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