The Best Low-Purine Dog Foods For Fur Babies On A Special Diet
Some dog breeds are unique in terms of digesting and processing food, so they need specific dietary measures. If you have a pooch that can't break down uric acid, look into low-purine dog foods to help minimize the formation of uric acid.
Some dog parents have it easy when it comes to finding appropriate food for their pets, but others need to be more careful. Just like humans, canines can also have special dietary requirements, and they may need low-carb foods. Another dietary food option that’s worth looking into are the best low-purine dog foods.
Certain dog breeds like Dalmatians, English Bulldogs, Shih Tzus, and Miniature Schnauzers are more sensitive to purine, meaning that there is a greater risk of developing cystine urolithiasis or urate kidney stones. Even if your pooch is of a different breed, any pup can still form uric acid stones.
If your favorite buddy has to deal with this issue, it’s time to ensure their diet meets certain standards. Scroll down to find the best low-purine dog food for your dearest canine.
Best Low Purine Dog Food to Consider
So what is purine? It’s a natural compound found in many different foods, as well as cells, playing a key part in the building blocks of DNA. In foods, purine is broken down to form components important for your furry friend’s heart health, digestion, oxygenation, and waste elimination through urine. Unfortunately, some breeds struggle with irregular processing of this molecule, which can lead to the formation of stones in the urinary tract. This can cause your doggo lots of discomfort and even impair urination.
Even though the cause of this issue is usually a genetic mutation, changing your dog’s diet from regular dog foods and avoiding ingredients high in purine can help manage your pup’s condition. When looking for ideal meal options, stay away from red and game meats like duck, goose, or venison, as well as organ meat, including liver, brain, kidney, and heart. Certain fish, seafood, and vegetables should also be excluded, such as herring, sardines, mackerel, spinach, green peas, and legumes.
Instead, you can choose to feed your pooch moderate and lower purine foods. Poultry like chicken and turkey and meats such as lamb, beef, and pork have moderate levels of purine in them, and they’re a good source of protein for your furry pal. Some fish, such as salmon, cod, pollock, whiting, hake, and others are also in this category.
Eggs are a great low-purine ingredient, and they’re also considered to be one of the easiest proteins to digest. Fruits and root vegetables are safe as well, including potatoes, carrots, and parsnips. For sources of carbohydrates, opt for rice, oatmeal, and whole grains.
Remember that a low-purine diet doesn’t need to be low in protein. However, make sure you focus your dog’s diet mainly on more digestible proteins like chicken and fish rather than feeding them only meats like beef, which are less digestible.
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food (30lb.)
When it comes to highly nutritious low-purine dog food, this brand packs chicken as its main protein source, and it’s formulated for optimal digestive health. It’s developed for adult canines, and it’s great for sensitive stomachs because it contains prebiotic fiber to fuel gut bacteria and promote a balanced microbiome.
This doggy meal is also an excellent source of vitamin E and Omega-6 fatty acids, which can help nourish your pup’s skin and maintain beautiful, healthy fur, as well as help with your dog’s eye and brain development and joint pain. Your best pal’s immune system will benefit from the rich antioxidants in this dog food which is formulated with decades of research to be a delicious meal adult dogs can relish.
Pros:
- Low-purine chicken as the main ingredient
- Promotes digestive health
- Nourishes skin and hair
- Good source of prebiotic fiber
- Highly digestible for optimal nutrient absorption
- Packed with vitamin E and Omega-6 fatty acids
Cons:
- Not recommended for puppies and pregnant or nursing dogs
- It’s a bit pricey
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Natural Adult Wet Dog Food (Pack of 12)
If wet food makes your pup’s tail wag more than the dry options, try this delicious and healthy low-purine dog food with real turkey as the main ingredient and source of high-quality protein. The package provides 12 cans that can be a tasty dish on their own or mixed with dry foods. It’s a complete dog meal, so you won’t need to supplement anything when using this formula.
The cans are also packed with healthy sources of fiber and carbohydrates, like oatmeal and brown rice, plus natural garden fruits and veggies, enhanced with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The formula is designed to support the nutritional needs of adult dogs, helping them maintain lean muscle mass and good energy levels for an active life.
It includes no ingredients containing too much purine, and there is no corn or wheat, either, so it’s a great option for doggos sensitive to grains. All in all, this is the best soft dog food for pups that require a low-purine diet.
Pros:
- High-quality protein from real turkey
- Can be a meal on its own or mixed with dry foods
- Natural ingredients enhanced with vitamins and minerals
- No corn, wheat, or soy
- No artificial flavors and preservatives
- Ideal for dogs sensitive to grains
Cons:
- Longterm users say that the pate has a more watery texture than it used to have
- Some of the cans have been arriving dented in recent purchases
NUTRO ULTRA Adult High Protein Natural Dry Dog Food (30lb.)
As a high and varied source of protein, this mouth-watering meal is an excellent choice of low-purine dog food that your pup will look forward to and enjoy as much as you enjoy your carefully crafted dishes. The main ingredient is real chicken without any other chicken by-products, with lamb and salmon as additional ingredients. Everything is sourced from trusted farmers and rigorously tested for quality and safety, offering a balanced, nutrient-rich meal for your furry pal.
This dog food boasts a combination of 15 superfoods, including coconut, blueberries, kale, and chia. It’s full of flavor, providing everything your adult pooch needs to thrive. There are no artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors, and the formula is designed without any corn, soy, or wheat. It’s an ideal choice for pups who have food allergies or sensitivities. Any doggo is sure to give you a cute wiggle as soon as they see what’s coming.
Pros:
- A trio of low-purine proteins from chicken, lamb, and salmon
- Provides complete and balanced nutrition
- A blend of 15 vibrant superfoods
- No corn, soy, or wheat
- No artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives
- Great for weight control
Cons:
- Some dogs might be unable to digest the amount of fat that is included in high protein content
- It’s a bit costly
Merrick Power Bites Dog Treats, Real Salmon Recipe (6oz)
If you’re looking for perfect low-purine dog food to use as treats for training, look no further. These small bites are filled with fish protein, crunchy, and full of taste that will immediately elicit an excited tail wag from your pooch. They’re an ideal pick for dogs eight weeks or older.
These treats are low in calories but high in essential fatty acids, oils, and fiber, all amazing elements that support your best friend’s brain and digestive system. Salmon is the main ingredient, boosting your pup’s immune system and helping to maintain a glossy coat, as well as supporting healthy muscle tissue and energy levels. The protein content of 84.4% is unbeatable, while the crunchy texture is a great help when it comes to getting rid of teeth plaque and tartar.
All the ingredients are natural, without any artificial additives, corn, soy, or wheat, plus they’re also gluten-free. Overall, this is a healthy and delicious snack, and your doggo is sure to bark: “Thank you!”
Pros:
- Real deboned salmon recipe
- Packed with protein
- Helps to build and maintain healthy muscles and energy levels
- Great for training purposes and rewards
- Helps to remove plaque and tartar from dog’s teeth
- No artificial additives
- Gluten-free
Cons:
- Note that these are treats and need to be served as part of a complete and balanced diet
- They’re quite chewy, and some dogs might not like that
Merrick Dry Puppy Food (22lb.)
For dog parents who are raising a young puppy, we recommend this fantastic, highly nutritious low-purine dog food. It’s crafted with whole foods and deboned chicken as the first ingredient, plus other high-quality protein sources to help build healthy muscle tissue and support energy levels for all dog breeds. It’s packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other natural goodness, such as flax, yucca, yeast, blueberries, and apples, making a complete and balanced meal for your little ball of fur.
Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids support the development of a healthy brain and neurological system, as well as a shiny coat and healthy skin. The food also contains glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy hips and joints, ensuring that your pup can stay active and happy. Probiotics are added for easier digestion, and many of the ingredients also contain antioxidants, which promote a healthy immune system in your pooch. Plus, this tasty meal is grain-free and contains no corn, wheat, soy, gluten, or artificial preservatives.
Pros:
- Real deboned chicken and sweet potato
- Grain-free recipe
- Healthy omega fatty acids, fibers, vitamins, and minerals
- Helps to maintain optimal weight and energy levels
- Supports healthy skin and coat
- Glucosamine and chondroitin help maintain healthy hips and joints
- No artificial additives
- Ideal for young puppies
Cons:
- It’s a bit expensive
- Some puppies with very sensitive stomachs might not react well to it
Frequently Asked Questions
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