liver-related dietary needs in Dogs: Nutrition for Chronic Liver Insufficiency

Table of Contents:

• Signs and Causes of liver-related dietary needs in Dogs
• Nutrition for Liver Insufficiency in Dogs
• Nutrient Requirements to Support Liver Function
• BugBell BellyVital: Food for Nutritional Support of the Liver

liver-related dietary needs in dogs are among the most common chronic metabolic problems. The liver performs a variety of vital tasks – from breaking down toxins to storing vitamins. If its function is impaired, it is called liver insufficiency in dogs. Adapted nutrition can help to specifically relieve liver function and ensure nutrient supply in case of liver-related dietary needs.

Signs and Causes of liver-related dietary needs in Dogs

Chronic liver insufficiency often develops insidiously. Typical symptoms include:

• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Lethargy, weakness, and fatigue
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Yellowish mucous membranes (icterus)
• Increased thirst and urination

Causes can include genetic factors, infections, medications, or even previous poisoning. Veterinary clarification is important to determine the severity of the liver disease in dogs.

Nutrition for Liver Insufficiency in Dogs

Liver-adapted feeding aims to support liver function in chronic liver insufficiency. This includes the selection of highly digestible, limited protein sources, a controlled intake of copper, and an adjusted content of sodium.

A dog food for liver disease should:

• Contain crude protein ≤ 279 g/kg (based on 12% moisture content)
• Provide highly digestible protein (≥ 85% digestibility)
• Use selected, easily digestible protein sources
• Limit copper to a physiological level
• Contain adjusted sodium

Nutrient Requirements to Support Liver Function

For the nutritional support of liver function in chronic insufficiency, the following guidelines apply (according to EU Regulation VO (EU) 2020/354):

• Crude protein: ≤ 279 g/kg (at 12% moisture) for dogs
• Protein digestibility: ≥ 85%
• Reduced copper content: adjusted to relieve the liver
• Sodium: moderately adjusted

Functional ingredients such as milk thistle or dandelion are also traditionally considered effective for nutritional support in cases of impaired liver function.

BugBell BellyVital: Food for Nutritional Support of the Liver

Our BellyVital product line has been specially developed for dogs with sensitive digestion and increased metabolic needs – also with regard to liver support in dogs. The recipe is geared towards the needs of chronically liver-diseased dogs and contains:

• Reduced protein content as recommended: crude protein ≤ 279 g/kg
• Highly digestible protein sources with ≥ 85% digestibility
• Copper in small quantities (to meet needs)
• Sodium moderately contained (to meet needs)
• With milk thistle and dandelion – traditionally used for liver support
• Based on insect protein: highly digestible, hypoallergenic and sustainable

Important: BugBell BellyVital is not a diet or medicinal feed. It is a complete feed with a balanced composition for the nutritional support of liver function in dogs.

If you have Questions about feeding your liver-sensitive dog, we are happy to help.