Okay, so my furry buddy, Max, started acting off a few months back. He was always a chowhound, but suddenly he was barely touching his food. He was also super lethargic, just moping around the house. We took him to the vet, and after some tests, the vet said Max’s liver enzymes were way high.
The vet explained that it could be a bunch of things, but diet was a major factor. And that the focus on adjusting Max’s diet to the best dog food for dogs with high liver enzymes. Honestly, I was clueless. I’d always just grabbed whatever dog food was on sale.
Finding the Right Food
First, I hit the internet. I searched for “best dog food for dogs with high liver enzymes”, and man, was it overwhelming! So many brands, so many opinions. I felt totally lost. I even tried joining some online dog owner groups, but it was just more conflicting advice.
So, I went back to the vet. I asked her for specific recommendations, not just general guidelines. She gave me a list of a few brands that specialize in liver-friendly formulas. She also stressed the importance of:
- Lower Protein: Not super low, but moderate. Apparently, too much protein can be hard on the liver.
- High-Quality Protein: The protein that is there needs to be easily digestible, like chicken or fish.
- Low Fat: Less work for the liver.
- Added Supplements: Things like L-carnitine and antioxidants can help support liver function.
- Low Copper & added Zinc Some Minerals can help improve the liver issue.
The Trial and Error Phase
Armed with this new info, I headed to the pet store. I picked out three different foods from the vet’s list, all dry kibble, since that’s what Max was used to. I started by mixing a little bit of the new food with his old food, gradually increasing the new food over a week.
The first food? Total flop. Max turned his nose up at it. He’d pick out the old kibble and leave the new stuff in the bowl. The second food, he ate, but his, um, “output” was not good. Let’s just say it was messy.
Finally, the third food seemed to be a winner. He ate it consistently, his energy levels started to improve, and his bathroom habits went back to normal. We stuck with that one.
Seeing the Results
It’s been about three months now, and the change in Max is amazing. He’s back to his old, playful self. He’s excited about mealtime again, and he’s got that sparkle back in his eyes. We went back to the vet for a checkup, and his liver enzyme levels, while still a bit elevated, were significantly lower.
I’m so glad I took the time to figure out the right food for Max. It wasn’t easy, and there was definitely some trial and error, but seeing him healthy and happy again makes it all worthwhile. I learned that what you feed your dog really does make a huge difference, especially when they have health issues.
