Best Dog Food for Liver Disease [Reviewed in 2021]

Last Updated on 08/20/2021 by Veronica Jones

Liver disease is quite common among dogs. So, it is important to know how to recognize, treat, and manage liver issues.

Canine liver disease can cause a wide variety of symptoms like debilitation, weight loss, upset stomach, diarrhea, loss of energy, jaundice, fluid retention, darker urine, and aberrant behaviors.

Changing your dog’s diet to help her treat, manage, and prevent liver problems can be confusing for some dog parents.

So, in our top six selections of the best dog food for liver disease, we took into consideration all the important nutrients a diet needs to have.

Here is the complete roundup of the most ideal nutrition you should look for.

Top Pick

Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d Liver Care Dry Dog Food is our top pick. This prescription diet is clinically proven to help dogs with liver disease.

It is designed with S+OXSHIELD to meet your pup’s unique nutritional needs. It is great for reducing the risk of calcium oxalate crystals and struvite. It also does a good job of preventing nutrient deficiencies.

The Best Dog Foods for Liver Disease

Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d Liver Care Dry Dog Food

This great liver care prescription diet will help your pup avoid nutrient deficiencies and it does a great job of reducing the liver’s workload.

Key Nutrients

  • High-quality protein
  • S+OXSHIELD
  • L-carnitine and L-arginine
  • Zinc
  • Omega fatty acids

This diet contains moderate levels of highly digestible high-quality protein sources, which is great because it is low in ammonia and helps reduce your pup’s liver workload.

This gives your dog’s liver a fighting edge, allowing it to regenerate itself effectively.

When you start feeding your dog this diet, she will have normal fat metabolism in her liver, which helps treat liver disease.

The food has high levels of L-arginine (it helps your pup detoxify ammonia) and L-carnitine (helps prevent toxic compounds accumulation to improve liver function).

The food is designed with S+OXSHIELD that helps your pooch meet particular nutrient requirements.

This unique nutrient profile supports a healthy urinary system that helps eliminate calcium oxalate crystals and struvite.

Another good thing about this diet is the fact that it is fortified with flaxseed, which is packed with omega fatty acids.

These essential fatty acids help reduce liver problems. They are also great for controlling inflammation.

Pros

  • High-quality proteins are low in ammonia
  • It reduces the liver workload to allow effective regeneration
  • Helps maintain normal fat metabolism to treat liver disease
  • Does a good job of eliminating calcium oxalate crystals and struvite
  • Omega fatty acids help reduce liver inflammation

Cons

  • This diet requires a veterinarian prescription
  • It may take longer for your pup to transition to this diet

Verdict

This diet will surely help your dog overcome liver disease thanks to its high-quality protein, clinically proven antioxidants, high levels of L-arginine and L-carnitine, low levels of copper, and a good amount of zinc.

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hepatic Dry Dog Food

This is a highly digestible and palatable dry formula for your pooch. It has low copper levels and it is uniquely designed to support healthy liver function.

Key Nutrients

  • Highly digestible vegetable proteins
  • Powerful antioxidant blend
  • Ascorbic acid
  • Vitamin E
  • Low copper levels

This food has precise levels of high-quality vegetable proteins, which is great because they are highly digestible and low in ammonia.

So, these proteins do an amazing job of supporting healthy liver function in dogs.

This recipe is fortified with brewer’s rice and brown rice. These two ingredients are packed with natural fiber to support a healthy digestive tract.

Brown rice; in particular is a good source of minerals, vitamins, and carbs.

Copper levels are restricted in this diet, reducing the risk of toxicity and liver workload.

The diet is fortified with prebiotic fiber, which helps feed good bacteria to promote a healthy, balanced microbiota and treat fatty liver disease.

This nutrition will supply your pup with a good combination of complex antioxidants and EPA + DHA to promote optimal immune health.

Transitioning your dog to this diet would require at least seven days. But it is wise that you follow diet transitions recommended by your dog’s vet.

Pros

  • Vegetable proteins are highly palatable and digestible
  • Low copper levels reduce its buildup in liver cells
  • Has an adapted energy content that reduces diet volume
  • The powerful blend of antioxidants promote immune health
  • Does a great job of reducing the liver workload

Cons

  • Corn may not be ideal for dogs with food sensitivities
  • You require a prescription from a vet to buy this food

Verdict

This is a great diet for your pup with liver issues. It contains precise protein levels, low copper content, and an optimal amount of fiber.

Purina Pro Plan Vet Diets HA Hydrolyzed Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food

Does your dog have liver issues, food sensitivity, or allergies? Try this incredible hydrolyzed formula from Purina Pro Plan.

Key Nutrients

  • High-quality hydrolyzed protein
  • Single carbohydrate
  • Healthy and powerful antioxidants
  • Medium-chain triglycerides
  • Beneficial minerals

This premium quality diet is fortified with hydrolyzed proteins, which is great because they have been broken down into easy to digest components.

Hydrolyzed proteins support the rapid absorption of amino acids. They ensure that your dog doesn’t experience any food reactions.

The nutrition features a single carbohydrate source that is low-allergen in nature to help reduce the likelihood of an allergic reaction.

This carbohydrate source is highly digestible, which allows for superior nutrient absorption.

The diet is supplemented with medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which is a good source of fat.

The MCTs are easy for your pup to digest and they are also absorbed quickly into the body to provide readily available energy.

We appreciate the high-quality kibbles of this food, considering how palatable they are and how easy they are for your dog to chew.

This nutrition is also fortified with powerful vitamins that help with the repair of the liver like vitamin B-12, vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin D.

Pros

  • Hydrolyzed proteins support rapid absorption of amino acids
  • Powerful vitamins help with liver repair
  • Medium-chain triglycerides provide readily available energy
  • The low-allergen carbohydrate source is good for sensitive dogs
  • The high-quality kibbles are highly palatable and digestible

Cons

  • The odor may not be appealing to every dog
  • Some new bags may have altered ingredients

Verdict

This is a great diet for small, large, and medium breeds with liver issues. It is also a good option for pups with food sensitivities and allergies.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Nature’s Evolutionary Diet

This is a protein-rich diet that is packed with high-quality nutrients to help your dog treat, manage, and prevent liver disease.

Key Nutrients

  • High-quality protein
  • LifeSource Bits
  • Grain-free nutrients
  • Omega fatty acids
  • Glucosamine and chondroitin

This incredible diet from Blue Buffalo has deboned chicken as the first ingredient, which is great because it is low in ammonia and will not overwork your dog’s liver.

This remarkable protein source also supplies your four-legged friend with essential amino acids to support muscle health.

Another good thing about deboned chicken is the fact that it is highly digestible.

The food is fortified with LifeSource Bits, which is a precise blend of minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins to help support immune health.

The diet is rich in omega fatty acids that help control inflammation, reduce triglycerides, lower blood pressure, and help fight liver issues.

Blue Buffalo packed this diet with EPA, chondroitin, and glucosamine to support mobility and joint health. L-carnitine; on the other hand, helps your pup maintain a healthy weight.

Another good thing about this diet is that it is grain-free, making it suitable for sensitive dogs.

Pros

  • Real deboned chicken is low in ammonia and support liver health
  • Healthy carbohydrates are highly digestible and digestive tract friendly
  • Supports lean muscle development and joint health
  • Contains a superior blend of minerals and vitamins to boost immune health
  • The diet is grain-free and does not contain artificial flavors

Cons

  • It is possible to receive a bag with poor kibble quality
  • Quality control seems to be an issue from one bag to another

Verdict

This is one of the best meals for a dog with liver disease.

It is packed with high-quality protein, antioxidant-rich blend, nutrients that support mobility and joint health, and omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat.

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hepatic Formula Canned Dog Food

Good for healthy liver function, sensitivities, and allergies, this canned dog food from Royal Canin has proven to be a favorite choice for most dog parents.

Key Nutrients

  • Vegetable proteins
  • Antioxidant blend
  • Low copper levels
  • Ascorbic acid and Vitamin E
  • High moisture content

This is canned dog food, which is great because it contains more high-quality protein that is low in ammonia and very effective at helping liver regeneration.

The food is more palatable for a canine with a sensitive digestive tract.

It has few preservatives and does not contain artificial flavors that may otherwise overload your dog’s liver.

The food is low in copper, which means your dog will not experience any buildups on her liver.

The diet has a high moisture content that helps prevent dehydration and urinary tract blockages and infections.

Has a powerful blend of antioxidants that are great for supporting a healthy immune system. It is fortified with several vitamins to help with liver repair.

This canned nutrition; however, requires you to have veterinarian authorization or prescription to buy.

Overall, it is a good option for large, medium, and small breed dogs with liver issues, sensitivities, and allergies.

Pros

  • The diet is specifically designed to boost liver function
  • Highly digestible proteins are low in ammonia
  • The antioxidant blend is powerful and effective at improve immune health
  • High moisture content prevents dehydration and urinary tract problems
  • Low copper levels prevent buildups on the liver

Cons

  • You must have a veterinarian approval to buy this diet
  • The wet texture and taste may not be appealing for some picky eaters

Verdict

If your dog favors a taste of canned dog food, you can help improve her liver health, energy, and overall well-being with this amazing diet from Royal Canin.

Things to Consider When Looking for Dog Food for Liver Disease

There are so many claims that commercial dog food manufacturers make.

But here are a few important things that you should take into consideration during your search.

High-quality protein

Most people would advise you to restrict proteins from your pup’s diet, which isn’t always necessary.

It is not the protein that does the damage to a pooch with liver disease, but the ammonia contained in some animal protein sources.

The ammonia is usually a problem for some liver ailments. So, it is advisable to know what type of liver disease your pup has.

High-quality proteins are important for organ health, regeneration, and tissue repair. So, feeding too little may restrict recovery.

For the best results, we advise you to give your pup high-quality proteins. You can also opt for low-ammonia protein sources like chicken and fish.

Consider complex carbohydrates

Most diets that are formulated for canines with liver disease are lower in protein and slightly high in carbs.

But the ability of your dog to metabolize carbs can decrease if she’s prone to digestive issues.

Though some carbs are necessary, don’t depend on them so much.

So, the best solution is to consider complex carbohydrates because they provide soluble fiber to help absorb toxins and ammonia.

Final Thoughts

The winner of this roundup is Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d Liver Care Dry Dog Food. This is groundbreaking nutrition that will help your dog deal with liver disease effectively.

This diet meets the highest standards. It contains high-quality protein that is low in toxins and ammonia, which helps to reduce your pup’s liver workload.

The diet is uniquely formulated to maintain optimal fat metabolism. The S+OXSHIELD ensures that your dog gets all the necessary nutrients to help her get rid of calcium oxalate crystals and struvite.

This diet also helps prevent nutrient deficiencies that are normally associated with liver problems.

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