Even though it is more common in cats, kidney failure in dogs also occurs. This dysfunction, characterized by the inability of the kidneys to perform their physiological functions, usually affects older dogs, but puppies of all ages can suffer from this problem. The dog with a kidney problem is left with kidneys without the ability to filter blood and save water. The disease isknown to be silent and it is important for guardians to know the most common symptoms and causes.

Does a dog with a kidney problem feel pain after all? To find out this and more information about the disease, the Paws of the House talked to veterinarian Felipe Ramires, from the city of Guarujá - São Paulo. Check it out!

Does the dog with kidney failure feel pain?

The silent symptoms are the ones that generate the most doubts about kidney failure in dogs and many people wonder if the dog with kidney problems can feel pain. It all depends on the animal's condition and stage of the disease, but kidney failure in dogs can cause pain. "Depending on the state in which the animal is he can feel pain. In more severe cases the animal can feelBut kidney failure is a silent disease that will usually only show symptoms in the animal when it is in the final stages, where creatinine is already at high levels ", explains veterinarian Felipe Ramires.

Felipe completes with the most common symptoms presented in the dog with kidney problem. "The main symptoms of kidney disease in dogs are apathy and vomiting. The animal also tends to have a fever."

Dogs with insufficiency: what can they eat?

The kidney food for dogs is the most suitable for the dog with kidney problem. This is because when diagnosed it is necessary for the pet to adopt a diet with low levels of sodium and phosphorus. "The puppy that is diagnosed with kidney disease must eat a specific food for the pathology he presents. The goal is to decrease the serum creatinine levels that he has been presenting ", highlights"This, however, does not rule out also the clinical treatment that is carried out by serotherapy and oral medication."

Remember that the best food should be indicated by your trusted veterinarian according to your pet's clinical condition. Hydration is also very important for cases of kidney failure in dogs, so always make clean, fresh water available to your four-legged friend.

Renal failure in dogs: how to prevent it and what are the causes?

Although kidney failure in dogs can have a genetic component, i.e. the disease is inherited from the parents, diet is an effective way of preventing the development of the problem. Offering a regulated, balanced and low-sodium diet is an excellent form of prevention. The best feeds are those of high quality and the so-called "premium feeds", as Felipe points out.According to him, the ideal is to avoid offering the low quality rations, because the sodium levels are usually high.

In any case, if you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, be sure to consult a veterinarian for a diagnosis if you suspect your dog has kidney failure.