Published on: 03/20/2020, updated on: 10/15/2021

The Best Dog Food for Liver Disease | Top Picks and Reviews

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The better nutrition your canine pal gets, the better their overall health and ability to stave off disease. And when your dog is diagnosed with liver disease, nutrition becomes all the more important. Good nutrition will help prevent diseases and keep your pup healthy all through the years.

Dogs with liver disease need a specialized diet to ensure that their condition does not get worse. So it is crucial that you feed them with the best dog food that caters to the need of dogs with liver disease.

You also need to check the ingredients of the food thoroughly before giving it to your dog. If you are not sure of the best dog food for liver disease, you have come to the right place.

Here are our top recommendations for the best dog food for dogs with liver disease:

Our top pick is the Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult Dry Dog Food. This food is great for dogs with liver disease as it is lower in sodium and copper, with the right amount of protein. It also supports quick recovery, a healthy immune system, skin, and coat.

The Best Dog Food for Liver Disease Are:

1. Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult Dry Dog Food — Best Dry Dog Food for Liver Disease

Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult Dry Dog Food

Purina has been in the pet food manufacturing business for almost two decades, and the brand has been making premium quality food for dogs and cats.

This dry dog food from Purina beyond comes with probiotics, which is great for the digestive system and overall health of your dog. Purina stepped up the game a bit in this formula by including live probiotics as well.

The top five ingredients of this diet are chicken, rice flour, whole grain wheat, poultry by-product meal, and soybean meal. It contains whole grains and natural sources of glucosamine to boost the joint and bone health of your dog.

This food also contains great omega fatty acid sources such as soybean oil and fish oil. This is a great option for dogs with liver issues, as it promotes a healthy digestive system, which results in less stress on the liver.

It is also rich in essential minerals and vitamins to help keep your dog healthy. The powerful blend of probiotics, fiber, and rice/lamb makes a perfect blend to everyday use that will reduce the strain on the liver of your dog.

This food is ideal for adult dogs of all breeds and sizes. The protein content of this diet is 26 percent while the minimum crude fat is 16 percent. It contains a maximum crude fiber of 3 percent with a caloric content of 382 kilocalories per cup.

Specs

  • Dry Food
  • Adult
  • All breed sizes
  • For a healthy immune system

Pros

  • Live probiotics
  • Supports a healthy immune system
  • Includes linoleic and omega fatty acids
  • Supports overall body health

Cons

  • It is not grain-free

2. Hill’s Prescription Diet l/d Liver Care Original Canned Dog Food — Best Dog Food for Liver Problems

hills prescription diet liver care

The Hill’s Prescription Diet l/d Liver Care Original Canned Dog Food was formulated specifically for dogs with liver problems.

Knowing that the wrong food can worsen the case for dogs with liver disease, Hill’s made this food with the perfect ingredients to provide your pup with the essential nutrients it needs. The top five ingredients of this food are water, rice, chicken fat, soybean meal, and soybean oil.

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This food helps to boost the overall health of your dog while leaving out those ingredients that are harmful to the liver. It contains essential minerals, vitamins, nutrients, digestible proteins, and reduced sodium. A diet that is high in sodium is not good for dogs with this condition, and this brand had that in mind when making this food.

It also helps your pooch to maintain a healthy immune system and metabolism, thanks to its clinically proven antioxidants and nutrients. The food is also highly palatable, as it features a great taste and aroma. Other notable ingredients in this diet are powdered cellulose, fish oil, egg product, and chicken liver.

It is rich in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids to enhance the skin and coat health of your dog. This food also contains calcium for strong bones and teeth. The protein content of this diet is 4.5 percent while the crude fat content is 5.5 percent. It contains a maximum crude fiber of 2 percent with a caloric content of 515 kilocalories per 13 oz. can.

Specs

  • Wet Food
  • Adult
  • All breed sizes
  • Veterinary diet, pea-free

Pros

  • Helps to reduce the workload on the liver
  • Boosts the regeneration of liver tissue
  • Supports normal fat metabolism
  • Promotes a healthy immune system

Cons

  • It contains corn gluten meal

3. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hepatic Formula Dry Dog Food

royal canin veterinary diet hepatic formula

If you are looking for the best dog food for liver disease and you do not mind spending a little extra, then we recommend the Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hepatic Formula Dry Dog Food.

This recipe is formulated specifically to support liver restoration, symptom management, and optimum nutrition. The top ingredients of this food are brewer’s rice, brown rice, corn, chicken fat, and soy protein isolate.

This food contains vegetable oil and fish oil to provide your pup with enough omega fatty acids for optimal skin and coat health. It features low copper and sodium content, and it aids in lower blood pressure and the buildup of metal in the system of your dog. It also contains a blend of fiber, vitamin B, and zinc to help reduce inflammation and speed up the healing process of your dog.

This food contains vegetable proteins that help with neurological problems caused by liver disease. It also boasts of high energy density, which helps to reduce the amount of food your dog consumes per meal. A powerful mix of antioxidants and essential minerals and vitamins helps to support a healthy immune system.

All the ingredients are easily digestible and they help boost the digestive health of your dog. The protein content of this food is 14 percent while the minimum fat content is 14 percent. It contains a maximum crude fiber of 3.6 percent with a caloric content of 339 kilocalories per cup.

Specs

  • Dry Food
  • Adult
  • All breed sizes
  • Veterinary diet, pea-free, sensitive digestion

Pros

  • Low in sodium and copper
  • Highly digestible vegetable protein
  • Added nutrients and vitamins
  • Helps with neurological symptoms

Cons

  • It is expensive
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Formulas for Canines

4. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain Free Dry Dog Food

This is another great option if you are looking for the best dog food for dogs with liver disease. The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is completely grain-free and it comes with plenty of essential nutrients for healing.

Nevertheless, you need to check with your veterinarian before using this food, as it features a high protein content. The top five ingredients of this diet are deboned chicken, chicken meal, peas, pea protein, and tapioca starch.

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The chicken meal is also a great source of glucosamine, which helps support healthy bones and mobility. It also contains menhaden fish meal and flaxseed, which are both great sources of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids to provide your dog with optimal brain function, healthy skin, and a shiny coat.

This dog food contains premium ingredients and it is formulated to help your pooch maintain healthy body weight, bone structure, and coat. If you are looking for a great diet for liver disease with higher protein content, then this is a great option.

This formula also contains Blue’s LifeSource Bits, which is a blend of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants for a healthy immune system and oxidative balance.

This food contains an impressive 34 percent protein, 15 percent crude fat, 6 percent maximum crude fiber, with a caloric content of 409 kilocalories per cup.

Specs

  • Dry Food
  • Adult
  • All breed sizes
  • Grain-free, high-protein, no wheat, corn, or soy

Pros

  • Great protein sources
  • All-natural
  • Grain-free
  • Supports a healthy immune system, skin, and coat

Cons

  • You need to get the approval of your vet before using this food.

5. The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Turkey Recipe Dehydrated Dog Food

The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Turkey Recipe Dehydrated Dog Food

This dehydrated dog food from The Honest Kitchen also made it to our list because of its formula and natural ingredients. This is a dehydrated selection, which means you can add warm water to it and make a mouthwatering meal for your dog.

Some dog owners even feed this food to their puppies. The top five ingredients of this diet are dehydrated turkey, organic oats, dehydrated potatoes, organic flaxseed, and dehydrated carrots.

This food is also ideal for pooches having decaying or teeth issues, due to its softness. It is not hard on the gums, and dogs find it very easy to chew. It is also highly digestible, and it helps to promote digestive health. This food is free of artificial colorings, preservatives, flavorings, fillers, and GMO ingredients.

This food is tasty and it helps in healing the liver. It features moderate levels of protein and calories for adult dogs of all breeds and sizes. The protein content of this food is 22 percent and the fat content is 15 percent. It contains a maximum crude fiber of 5 percent and a caloric content of 470 kilocalories per cup.

Specs

  • Dry Food
  • Adult
  • All dog breeds
  • Human-grade, non-GMO, low-protein, pea-free

Pros

  • Human-grade food
  • It is soft
  • Ideal for puppies and adult dogs
  • Natural ingredients

Cons

  • It takes a little time to prepare
The Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Dog Food

6. CANIDAE All Life Stages Multi-Protein Formula Dry Dog Food

CANIDAE All Life Stages Multi Protein Formula Dry Dog Food

The last on our list is the CANIDAE All Life Stages Multi-Protein Formula Dry Dog Food. This is one of the best dog food for liver disease and it is highly palatable. The first five ingredients of this diet are chicken meal, turkey meal, lamb meal, brown rice, and white rice.

This meal is not just delicious, it also provides your pup with a balanced and complete diet that it needs to fight disease and build a strong immune system.

This food offers optimal nutrition, thanks to its premium, natural ingredients. This nutritionally dense formula does not contain common dog allergens such as corn, wheat, and soy, and it supports a healthy digestive system. It also includes HealthPLUS Solutions, which is a blend of antioxidants, probiotics, and omega 3 & omega 6 fatty acids.

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The protein content of this food is 24 percent while the minimum crude fat content is 14.5 percent. It contains a maximum crude fiber of 4 percent with a caloric content of 468 kilocalories per cup.

Specs

  • Dry Food
  • All Life Stages
  • All breed sizes
  • No wheat, corn, or soy

Pros

  • Optimum protein
  • Free of common dog allergens
  • Premium ingredients
  • Ideal for dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds.

Cons

  • The kibbles might be too small for larger dogs.

The Dietary Requirement Of Dogs With Liver Disease

There are vital things you need to put into consideration when looking for the best dog food for liver disease. The amount of fat, protein, carbs, sodium, and copper in the diet of your dog plays a very important role in helping it cope with the disease.

Protein

A good diet for dogs with liver problems is lower in protein than regular dog food. A low to moderate protein intake would significantly benefit a dog with liver disease. As such, you should stay away from dog foods with very high protein count, except your vet recommends such.

However, you should make sure that the food contains high-quality protein sources such as chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, venison, bison, and fish. A good amount of amino acids is also needed in the diet of your dog.

Carbs

Carbs play a crucial role in the digestive health of your dog. Hence, you need to make sure that the diet of your dog does not lack healthy carbs. Some great sources of healthy carbs include chickpeas and sweet potatoes, as they are great for sensitive dogs.

However, if your dog is not sensitive to grains, then whole grains are great sources you should consider. Whole grains such as white rice, brown rice, and oatmeal are great.

This would provide your pup with all the energy it needs to live a healthy life while recovering from this health condition.

Copper

Some animal-based proteins such as pork, lamb, salmon, and duck are higher in protein. Dogs with liver issues need protein sources that are lower in copper. Some animal proteins that are low in copper include turkey, chicken, beef, whitefish, and eggs.

Sodium

Again, the best dog foods for liver problems are low in sodium. This is extremely important if your pooch is in the advanced stages of this health issue.

You can help reduce the buildup of fluids in your dog by reducing its salt intake. As such, you need to make sure that the food is low in sodium before buying.

Fat

Fat is a very important element in the diet of a dog. The diet of a dog with liver disease can contain higher levels of fat, as they can tolerate it. However, you should speak to your vet to know the optimal level of fat for your dog.

Supplements

Your dog will greatly benefit from a wide range of supplements such as vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin B complex, zinc, and SAMe.

Conclusion

There we go! Those are our top picks for the best dog food for dogs with liver disease. When looking for the best diet for your dog, one of your top priorities should be reading the labels to know what the food contains.

Our recommendations were carefully selected, and they contain minimum levels of sodium and copper. The clear winner for the best dog food for liver disease is the Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult because of its unique formula and premium ingredients. It supports quick recovery and overall body health.

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