Help PLEASE: Honest Kitchen, Liver Disease, Homemade Diets

[ArmaniMan]

Okay, recap for those who need it.

Both my little yorkies have MVD, no symptoms ever... found out about one by accident and then just tested the other out of curiosity. Both had fairly low post numbers for an MVD dog (in the low 30's) and one was on a very very high protein food for over a year before testing. Vet didnt even suggest a diet change but I did.

Okay... so we have tried EVERY low protein kibble and either they wont eat it or the kibbles are WAY too big... as it stands now they are not eating enough because the kibbles are so big for the food we are using that they get bored and walk away.

Now, the question if your still around. I am going to give The Honest Kitchen Preference brand a try (its a base and you add the protein yourself):

So my questions:

1. What are some good proteins to add for Liver Disease dogs.
(I am assuming the same ones I have been looking for in kibble (egg, lean chicken and white fishes (but which ones are best, cod?)

2. Is there anything else I should be adding? The base is already balanced right? all I NEED to add is protein? I will likely add some veggies, cottage cheese, etc. This is fine right?

3. Are there any supplements I need to add?

Thanks in Advance!

[Ladymom]

I'm not sure how Honest Kitchen works. Is it nutritionally balanced? If it is you won't have to add supplements.

Fish, cottage cheese and eggs are good proteins for liver compromised dogs.

There is lots of information here:

Liver | B-Naturals.Com Newsletter

[ArmaniMan]

Im not really sure about it being nutritionally balanced or not, that is one of things I am trying to figure out... I *think* it is once you add the protein.

Thanks for the link it looks very informative.

[RONLYNN]

You really should join this group:

Liver_Shunt_And_MVD_Support : Liver Shunt & MVD/HMD Support

They are SO SO knowledgeable and will help you with all your questions. They were wonderful when my Teddi had a liver shunt. Someone on YT told me to join and it was the best thing I ever did.

[Ellie May]

Will look at HK tonight or tomorrow. If they say you can add meat, fish, or egg though, I'd be uneasy. They have different protein and fat % and may not always be interchangable. It's a really good idea to talk to a nutritionist (preferably a veterinary nutritionist) about it.

Since they are completely asymptomatic, the % protein isn't a huge concern. You can stay between 18 and 22% as some experts seem to recommend, but really taking it a bit higher probably won't do a darn thing. Type of protein is important if you are concerned about diet, but them eating enough is more important than that...