Last Updated: 05/08/2026
Best Food for Dogs with Kidney Disease
Just found out your dog has kidney disease? Learn which prescription renal diets are available in Australia, and how to manage treats and hydration.
Author: Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 7 minutes - short read
If your dog has just been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), "what do I feed them now?" is probably one of the first questions running through your head. Diet is one of the most powerful tools you have to help your dog feel better and slow the disease's progression, so it's worth getting right from the start. The good news is there are some excellent options available in Australia, and many dogs with kidney failure go on to have a great quality of life with the right support.
For a broader overview of CKD causes, staging, and treatment, see our guide to kidney disease in dogs.
In this article
- How we review our products
- What are the best prescription foods for dogs with kidney disease?
- What over-the-counter foods can help dogs with early-stage CKD?
- Is wet food or dry food better for dogs with kidney disease?
- What treats can I give a dog with kidney disease?
- What foods and ingredients should I avoid?
How we review our products
Our Vet team use their health and husbandry knowledge, along with their own personal and clinical experiences to evaluate each product and provide detailed, informative reviews, free of any commercial bias. We then collate this information into our 'best of' recommendations.
What are the best prescription foods for dogs with kidney disease?
Prescription renal diets are the gold standard for managing CKD. They're formulated to specific phosphorus, protein, and calorie targets that standard over-the-counter foods simply aren't designed to meet. Your vet will need to prescribe them - for a broader overview of how prescription diets work, see our guide to prescription diets for pets.
Hill's Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care
Pros
- Strong clinical trial data behind it
- Controlled, high-quality protein
- Enriched with omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA)
- Stimulates appetite (E.A.T. technology) - Hill's incorporates their Enhanced Appetite Trigger (E.A.T.) technology to make the food more enticing to picky or nauseous dogs.
- Available in 2 types of dry food - standard and the dual-action 'kidney care plus mobility' for dogs who suffer from joint issues also
- Also available in wet formulation
Cons
- Higher cost than non-prescription food and vet prescription requirement
- Some dogs find them less appealing than regular food
- Not made in Australia
Best for: All stages of CKD, particularly dogs who benefit from a well-evidenced, broadly available formula.
Hill's k/d is one of the most researched veterinary renal diets available. It uses Hill's ActivBiome+ technology and is formulated to support kidney function while maintaining body condition. Both the chicken dry and wet can formats are widely available in Australia.
What our customers say: "My 15yo dog was diagnosed with end stage renal failure. I asked if there was anything I could do the vet said you could try a diet switch but we don't expect her to last more than a month. Her quality of life wasn't great but wasn't bad enough to say goodbye. As a last shot, I ordered this food. That was 18 months ago. Her markers have reversed and she is energetic and well. It has made a huge difference. She's not just living she's thriving. Yes it's expensive, but giving my old girl some more quality time has been so worth it." - Paige
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Early Renal
Pros
- Appropriate phosphorus restriction for early disease
- Available in dry food format
- Often well accepted by dogs who are still eating normally
- Moderate phosphorus levels to help support renal function at the first signs of kidney impairment
- EPA and DHA to help maintain healthy kidney filtration and overall renal function
- Enriched antioxidant complex to protect from oxidative stress
Cons
- No specific wet food equivalent
- Not made in Australia
- Not suitable for moderate or advanced CKD
Best for: Early CKD (Stage 1 to early Stage 2), or as a first step toward a full renal diet.
Royal Canin Early Renal is designed for dogs with IRIS Stage 1 to early Stage 2 CKD, before the disease has progressed significantly. It restricts phosphorus at a level appropriate for earlier-stage disease, making it a reasonable starting point when your dog's kidneys are showing early changes but they're still largely well in themselves.
What our customers say: "Since changing to this dry food, our german shepherd has had a remarkable improvement in digestion. She is also much happier and loves the food. Highly recommend for early diagnosis of renal disease." - Christine
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Renal
Pros
- Multiple dry formats help manage palatability over time
- Energy-dense formulation helps maintain body weight in dogs eating less
- Available in a wet formulation also
- EPA and DHA to help maintain healthy kidney filtration and overall renal function
- Enriched antioxidant complex to protect from oxidative stress
Cons
- Higher cost than non-prescription food and vet prescription requirement
- Some dogs find them less appealing than regular food
- Not made in Australia
Best for: Moderate to advanced CKD (Stage 2 to 4), or dogs with reduced appetite who need an energy-dense formula.
The Royal Canin Renal range is formulated for dogs with moderate to advanced CKD (Stage 2 onwards). It uses highly digestible hydrolysed proteins and is energy dense, which helps dogs who are eating less still maintain their body condition. The range comes in several formats including Renal (standard), Renal Select, and Renal Special, which gives you some options if your dog decides they're over one texture or flavour.
What's the difference between Royal Canin Renal, Select and Special?
All three formula options - Renal, Renal Select, and Renal Special - contain the exact same nutrient levels (low phosphorus and moderate protein) designed for dogs in IRIS Stage 2-4 of kidney disease. Their main purpose is to manage and slow kidney deterioration while catering to dogs struggling with nausea or food aversion.
- Royal Canin Renal is the standard advanced kidney formula, featuring a square-shaped kibble and a base aromatic profile.
- Royal Canin Renal Select offers the same medical nutrition but features a kidney-shaped kibble and a distinct aromatic profile designed to appeal to dogs that have developed an aversion to standard renal food.
- Royal Canin Renal Special also matches the nutrient levels of the other two, but comes in a round kibble shape with yet another unique aromatic profile to give you an additional enticing option if your dog has a poor appetite.
What over-the-counter foods can help dogs with early-stage CKD?
Dogs with CKD tend to pass larger volumes of dilute urine, which means dehydration is a real risk. Wet food, with its moisture content of around 75 to 80%, is a straightforward way to increase your dog's daily fluid intake without relying on them drinking extra water. For more on how the two formats compare, see our wet food vs dry food guide.
That doesn't rule out dry food. Plenty of dogs on renal dry food do very well, particularly when you:
- Add warm water or a low-sodium broth to the kibble
- Offer a pet water fountain (some dogs drink more from moving water)
- Mix wet and dry food for variety
If your dog already has a reduced appetite or is showing early signs of nausea, wet food is often the better starting point. Most of the leading renal diets come in both wet and dry formats, so there's flexibility either way.
Is wet food or dry food better for dogs with kidney disease?
Not every dog with very early CKD will be started on a prescription renal diet straight away. If your dog is at IRIS Stage 1 or early Stage 2, your vet may suggest a dietary upgrade rather than jumping straight to a prescription formula. Senior dog foods are a reasonable place to start - they're generally lower in sodium and phosphorus than standard adult foods and often use higher-quality protein sources, which reduces the workload on the kidneys.
See our best senior dog food guide for our top picks.
Important: Senior foods are a stepping stone, not a substitute. If your vet has confirmed CKD is progressing or has recommended a prescription renal diet, that advice takes priority - prescription diets hit a level of phosphorus restriction that OTC options simply can't match.
What treats are safe for dogs with kidney disease?
Treats are one of the trickier parts of managing CKD, because most commercial treats are surprisingly high in sodium and phosphorus.
The safest option is to use the prescription food as a treat, and you can utilise the prescription renal diets from different brands for this purpose. You can also get creative and make your own treats at home using either wet or dry prescription food - Hill's have a handy guide to healthy homemade dog treats.
Fresh food options that are naturally low in phosphorus are a great option also.
Generally safe (in small amounts):
- Watermelon (seedless)
- Apple slices (no seeds or core)
- Blueberries
- Green beans
- Baby carrots
- Zucchini
These make good low-phosphorus reward options that won't undermine your dog's renal diet.
The 10% rule: Keep treats to no more than 10% of your dog's total daily calorie intake, regardless of what you're giving.
For commercial treats: Phosphorus content usually isn't listed on the packaging, so contact the manufacturer directly if you want to check. Treat options should be less than 150 mg phosphorus per 100 kcal and 100 mg sodium per 100 kcal for most chronic kidney disease patients, but check with your vet if there are any other factors you need to be aware of in your dog's specific case.
What foods should I avoid giving a dog with kidney disease?
High-phosphorus treats and foods:
- Meat-based treats: jerky, bully sticks, pig ears, rawhide, antlers, and bones are all high in phosphorus and best avoided.
- Table scraps: meat, dairy products, and most processed foods are too high in both phosphorus and sodium.
Even a small amount of the wrong thing adds up. It's one of those situations where consistency really does make a difference.
FAQs
References
IRIS (International Renal Interest Society). Treatment Recommendations for CKD in Dogs. 2023. Available at: iris-kidney.com. Accessed August 2026.
Polzin DJ. Nutritional Management of Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats and Dogs. Today's Veterinary Practice, ACVN Nutrition Notes, 2016. Available at: todaysveterinarypractice.com. Accessed August 2026.
Cline MG. What Treats Can I Give My Dog With Kidney Disease? Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, 2018. Available at: https://sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/2018/05/23/what-treats-can-i-give-my-dog-with-kidney-disease/. Accessed August 2026.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Wed 5 Aug 2026
Written by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Gillian graduated from the University of Sydney in 2005 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science. She worked in a number of small animal clinics, before joining the Pet Circle Vet team in 2020. Dr. Gillian has special interests in ultrasonography, surgery and behaviour. Her favourite part of being a vet is being an advocate for the animals. She loves helping owners to make the best, evidence-based decisions for their pets, and seeing the beautiful bond that people have with their fur-babies.
