What Is the Strombeck Kidney Diet?

Kidney disease is a rampant problem among pet owners. It can cause total renal failure and ultimately result in death. To address this problem, Donald R. Strombeck developed a special diet to help pets that suffer from this disease. The heart of Strombeck's diet is a restriction on protein.  

Protein Restriction

The Strombeck Diet sharply reduces protein in the diet. Excessive proteins can damage the kidneys. Too much protein in the diet will cause an increase in the number of toxins that the kidneys will have to process. By reducing the amount of protein, the kidneys will have an easier workload. Reducing the amount of work for diseased kidneys can show a dramatic improvement in your pet.

Although the total amount of protein is reduced, it is not eliminated. Pets need a diet that is rich in biologically useful proteins. These proteins are distinguished by containing all nine essential minerals. This means that the protein provides a full range of nutritional elements. Proteins that do not contain all the essential items can cause both kidney disease and malnutrition. By selectively monitoring the protein in a pets diet, you can reduce the amount of protein without a loss of nutrition.

Other Nutritional Recommendations

Strombeck also recommends that pets be placed on a low sodium diet. A reduction in the amount of salt will lower the blood pressure in the animal. Blood pressure can have a direct impact on the health of the kidneys. Due to the kidneys role as blood filter, any problems in the circulatory system can have an impact on the health and functioning of the kidneys.