The earliest signs of kidney disease (CKD) in dogs are often subtle, primarily increased thirst (polydipsia) and more frequent, diluted urination (polyuria), as the kidneys struggle to filter waste and retain fluids, leading to compensatory drinking and urinating. Owners might also notice mild lethargy, a slight decrease in appetite, or minor weight loss, but significant symptoms like vomiting, bad breath, or severe weakness usually appear later, once two-thirds of kidney function is lost.
It depends on the stage of the disease, the dog's age and overall health, and how they respond to treatment. Early to mid-stage CKD: Dogs may live 1–3 years with proper care. Advanced-stage kidney failure: Life expectancy can range from a few weeks to several months.
Early Symptoms of Kidney Failure in Dogs
Uremia, the build-up of wastes in the bloodstream, also worsens in the later stages of CKD and can cause your dog to vomit and experience diarrhea. This can increase the risk of dehydration.
Acute kidney failure is reversible if it's detected quickly and the dog receives proper treatment. It's critical to seek medical attention for your dog immediately if you notice symptoms of this condition. Unfortunately, chronic kidney disease is not curable.
Acute kidney disease in dogs can be caused by exposure to hazardous materials, including toxic plants such as lilies, certain drugs, harmful foods such as grapes or raisins, or antifreeze. Puppy-proofing your home and yard can keep your dog away from potentially harmful items or foods that could be toxic.
At stage 1 CKD, you may not notice any effects on your health. While the damage to your kidneys may not be reversible, there is a lot you can do at this stage to keep your kidneys working well for as long as possible.
Dark, tarry stools are not uncommon in dogs with kidney disease. This happens when the kidneys can no longer filter waste products from the blood. Toxins such as ammonia build up in the blood and can damage/ulcerate intestinal and stomach linings.
Dogs with kidney disease should avoid eating processed meats, organ meats, nuts, beans, lentils, most dairy products, bread, and sardines. Chicken is safe for dogs with kidney disease. White rice is also safe for dogs with kidney disease.
Since kidney tissue cannot regenerate if destroyed, the kidneys have a large amount of reserve capacity to perform their various functions. At least 2/3 of the kidneys must be dysfunctional before any clinical signs are seen.
Kidney failure in dogs becomes an emergency when you notice severe vomiting, extreme low energy, refusal to eat or drink for more than 24 hours, or collapse. Dogs with very bad breath (ammonia-like odor), pale gums, or blood in urine need quick veterinary attention.
Symptoms can include:
Pet CKD treatment options
Early CKD can be managed with a special diet and increased fluid intake. The diet restricts protein and balances minerals and electrolytes to reduce the kidneys' workload. Feeding this diet in a canned form or offering fresh, running water can encourage your pet to take in more fluids.
Diagnosis. To evaluate kidney function, veterinarians will most often turn to blood tests and urine analysis (urinalysis) to evaluate the concentrations of waste products and other components that healthy kidneys normally filter or regulate.
Kidney disease is one of the most common canine ailments in older dogs, and can be very fatal if the condition is not treated as soon as symptoms arise. More than 10% of dogs will encounter kidney disease at some point in their lives and any dog can be prone to this condition.
Nutritional supplements can also help dogs with kidney disease. Supplements often included in kidney diets for dogs include: Omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which can reduce inflammation in the body—including in the kidneys—and possibly improve kidney function.
High-quality protein: Providing high-quality, easily digestible proteins like chicken, turkey, or fish can help reduce the kidney burden. Omega-3 fatty acids: These can help reduce inflammation and support kidney function. You can find omega-3 fatty acids or fish like salmon and sardines in fish oil supplements.
However, for dogs prone to certain conditions, like pancreatitis, eggs may not be ideal. Their fat content may trigger digestive upset in sensitive dogs. Eggs also may not be a good choice for dogs with chronic kidney disease that typically benefit from a reduced-protein diet.
JustFoodforDogs Renal Support Low Protein diet is formulated to support your dog's kidney health with carefully controlled levels of protein, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, omega-3 fatty acids, and an increased amount of B vitamins.
Yes, kidney failure in dogs can be painful. Kidney failure in dogs can be painful because the kidneys are responsible for filtering body waste and toxins. When they fail, these toxins build up in the bloodstream and can cause discomfort and pain.
Acute kidney failure happens when your dog's kidneys suffer damage and stop working. They may stop producing any urine at all, which leads to a build-up of fluids and toxic waste in the body. This makes your dog very unwell. Acute kidney failure can sometimes be reversed with rapid and intensive vet care.
If your dog's kidneys aren't working properly to filter and process toxins and waste materials, their buildup in the pup's body may be contributing to the bad smell of their breath on top of harming your dog's health!
While early kidney disease often has few signs, three key early warning signs to watch for are changes in urination (more/less frequent, foamy, or bloody), persistent fatigue, and swelling in hands, feet, or ankles, all pointing to the kidneys struggling to filter waste and excess fluid. These symptoms, along with others like itchy skin, poor appetite, or trouble concentrating, signal a need to see a doctor for proper testing.
You can check kidney function at home using at-home test kits for urine (detecting protein/albumin) or finger-prick blood tests (checking creatinine/eGFR), often with smartphone apps for analysis, or by monitoring symptoms like increased nighttime urination (nocturia), swelling, or changes in urine (blood, foam) and discussing results with a doctor, as home tests screen but don't replace professional diagnosis.
Canned foods, some frozen foods, and most processed meats contain large amounts of salt. Snack foods such as chips and crackers are also high in salt. Table salt, some seasonings, ketchup, mustard, and certain sauces such as barbecue, soy, and teriyaki sauces are high in sodium.