Low Protein Diet for Dogs With Liver Problems

Your dog's liver is her largest internal organ. While its primary function is to remove toxins from the blood, the liver is involved in many biochemical reactions in her body and any damage to this organ can cause widespread and varied symptoms. For decades, a low protein diet was thought to slow the progression of liver disease, but new research is casting doubt on that approach. According to the Journal of Nutrition, "malnutrition can develop when protein-restricted diets are inappropriately recommended."

Causes and Symptoms

Internal injuries associated with car accidents, liver inflammation due to hepatitis or pancreatitis, liver infections and toxic reactions to prescription medications or poisons can damage the liver. The most common symptoms of liver disease vomiting and diarrhea; frequent urination; anemia and bleeding disorders; jaundice and weight loss. There may be abnormalities in the stool or urine. Bile production disruptions may cause stool to appear very light colored and jaundice can result in orange-colored urine.

Low Protein Vs. High Value Protein

Protein-restricted diets reduce the amount of ammonia produced during protein digestion. A compromised liver may not be able to adequately filter this additional ammonia, resulting in a toxic condition. But for most types of liver disease, eliminating protein is not the answer.
Proteins are needed for support and maintenance of liver function and repair. Restricting proteins can, according to the Journal of Nutrition, "complicate a patient's condition, impairing tissue regeneration and recovery from disease." In most cases, a diet of easily digestible protein combined with high quality carbohydrates provides the best solution for dogs with liver problems. Dairy- and soy-based proteins can be substituted for meat-based proteins.

Hepatic Encephalopathy

There is one exception to this: low protein diets are always recommended if your dog has been diagnosed with hepatic encephalopathy. This condition is the result of advanced liver disease or a congenital defect known as a portosystemic shunt. Hepatic encephalopathy impairs brain function because the liver cannot detoxify blood.

The Role of Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates provide energy. Rice and potatoes provide high quality simple carbohydrates and vegetables are a source of complex carbohydrates and fiber. Poor quality carbohydrates found in some commercial dog foods are not easily digested by dogs and increase bacterial fermentation in the colon and may produce excess ammonia. Adding vegetables to your dog's rations provide vitamins and fiber; fiber promotes more frequent bowel movements, which helps to flush toxins from the body.

Supplements

Susan Eddlestone, DVM, recommends the antioxidant vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) to protect and improve liver cells. Along with other holistic veterinary practitioners, Dr. Eddlestone also recommends milk thistle, an herbal supplement. Silymarin, the active ingredient in milk thistle, protects the liver against toxins and stimulates the production of new liver cells.