A real-world case study from Kimi's Pet Emporium | Started March 2026
The Diagnosis Nobody Wants to Hear
When Fleur, our beautiful Golden Retriever, went in for a routine spay at around one year old, we had no idea the scan would change everything.
During the pre-procedure imaging, the vet noticed something unexpected — both of Fleur's kidneys had not formed correctly, with malformed cells present in both. It was a congenital issue she had been born with, completely undetected until that moment.
The words the vet used were "kidney failure."
Whatever way you look at it, those are two words no dog owner ever wants to hear — especially about a one-year-old. The shock was real. But as the dust settled, the fuller picture emerged: Fleur was at Stage 1 CKD on the IRIS scale — the earliest stage, and one that, with careful monitoring and management, could be stabilised.
We were lucky. Depending on how you take the news, anyway.
The Decision: Using Diet to Support Fleur's Kidneys
With Stage 1 CKD, diet is one of the tools that can be used to help support kidney function — alongside regular vet monitoring and a management plan tailored to the individual dog. For Fleur, after careful research and in close consultation with her vet, we settled on a two-food approach:
- Nutriment Low Purine & Phosphorus Support Raw — a complete raw food specifically formulated with attention to the pancreas, liver, and kidneys, and naturally low in purine and phosphorus
- Tribal Senior Light — fed as her evening meal, a gentle, lower-calorie option that complements the raw diet
This combination gave us confidence that every meal was being chosen with Fleur's kidneys in mind. That said, every dog with CKD is different, and what works for Fleur may not be appropriate for another dog. Always work with your vet to develop a dietary plan suited to your dog's individual results and needs.
Home Cooking: Giving Fleur a Proper Dinner
Alongside her regular meals, Fleur occasionally enjoys some home-cooked food — and honestly, she absolutely loves it. We keep things simple: plain cooked chicken, beef, or lamb with visible fat trimmed off, served with vegetables like sweet potato and broccoli.
On a Sunday, she'll often have a small portion of whatever we're having — a proper family dinner, just scaled down and stripped back. It's one of those small things that feels like it matters, and Fleur certainly seems to think so.
It's worth being clear: these home-cooked meals are occasional additions, not a replacement for her complete commercial diet. They aren't intended to be a nutritionally complete homemade renal diet — that's a much more involved undertaking that would require veterinary nutritionist input. We'll be sharing more meal ideas in future updates as we continue to learn what works well for her.
The Results So Far
Here's where Fleur's story gets genuinely encouraging.
Fleur's latest bloodwork has shown an improvement in her kidney markers, and her results remain consistent with Stage 1 CKD. Her vet is pleased with how she is doing, and for a dog diagnosed at just 12 months old with congenitally malformed kidneys, the results are very encouraging.
At 2.5 years old, Fleur is:
- Active and happy
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating well with no digestive issues
- Being monitored regularly with bloodwork to track her kidney values
What We're Tracking Going Forward
This isn't a one-and-done story — kidney disease requires ongoing management, and we'll be updating this post as Fleur's journey continues. We'll be sharing:
- Regular bloodwork updates and what the numbers mean
- Any diet adjustments we make and why
- How Fleur is doing day to day
- Products we've tried, tested, and either kept or moved on from
- More home-cooked meal ideas that have worked well for her
A Note on Veterinary Care
Fleur's diet and management plan were developed in close consultation with her vet. If your dog has been diagnosed with CKD, please work with your vet before making any dietary changes. Every dog is different, and what works for Fleur may not be right for your dog. CKD management should be individualised and adapted according to ongoing monitoring and your dog's response. This blog is one dog's story — not a substitute for professional veterinary advice.
Could Your Dog Benefit from Kidney-Supportive Nutrition?
If you're navigating a similar diagnosis, we stock a range of foods chosen with kidney health in mind, including Nutriment Low Purine & Phosphorus Support and Tribal Senior Light. Feel free to get in touch — we're happy to share what we've learned from Fleur's journey.
Update — August 2026: Fleur's Latest Bloodwork
We promised to keep this post updated as Fleur's journey progresses, so here's our first follow-up.
Fleur has just had her latest round of bloodwork, and we're pleased to report that her kidney values remain stable. Her vet is happy with how she is doing, and there has been no deterioration since our last check-in. For a dog with congenitally malformed kidneys, stable is a very good word.
We're continuing with the same approach — Nutriment Low Purine & Phosphorus Support in the morning and Tribal Senior Light in the evening — and will keep monitoring every few months. The next update will follow her autumn bloodwork results.
If you have any questions about managing CKD through diet, feel free to reach out — we're always happy to talk through what's worked for us.
Update — August 2026: Treats & Toys for Dogs with Kidney Disease
Every dog loves a treat — and Fleur is absolutely no exception. But when your dog has kidney issues, the question of what to give them as a reward becomes just as important as what goes in their bowl. Finding treats that are appropriate for a dog with CKD takes a little more research than it might for a healthy dog.
One of Fleur's firm favourites has been Soopa Treats. They're natural and plant-based, and Fleur goes absolutely mad for them — which, when you're trying to keep a kidney dog happy, is exactly what you want to hear. As always, we'd recommend checking with your vet before introducing any new treats to a dog with CKD.
Of course, treats aren't the only way to keep a dog entertained — and this is where Fleur's other great passion comes in: toys. Fleur loves them, and when it comes to toys, the louder and bouncier the better. The squeaker is non-negotiable as far as she's concerned. Her current go-to? The Goodboy Space Hopper — bouncy, noisy, and apparently the pinnacle of canine entertainment. If it squeaks and bounces, Fleur is in.
It's a good reminder that managing a CKD dog isn't just about what they eat — it's about keeping their quality of life high across the board.
We'll continue to share any new treats or toys we try as Fleur's journey continues.
Last updated: August 2026 | Next update planned when Fleur's next bloodwork results are in