Healthy foods for the kidneys?

[Kiwibird]

So the vet gave me a long list of foods NOT to feed Kiwi, but didn't give as much guidance on what TO feed him. Are there any particular fruits/veg/grains that are particularly good for a bird having kidney issues? Things he cannot have for the next 30 days:

-Animal products (doesn't get those anyways)
-Dark leafy greens
-Citrus fruits
-Artificial colors/sweeteners/flavors
-NO pellets of any brand/variety
-Beans
-Soy
-Corn

 

[BirdGeeks]

Could you email the vet? He/she would probably have a list, even a short one, of what would be okay.

 

[Kiwibird]

Could you email the vet? He/she would probably have a list, even a short one, of what would be okay.

Well, she said most of the fruits/veg I could list off the top of my head as him liking were ok (including grapes, apples, banana, cucumber, sweet potato/yams) and that things like rice and quinoa were ok too.

 

[BirdGeeks]

I've been reading a little bit and it seems celery is good also. Apparently Cranberries are highly recommended for birds with kidney issues.

 

[Kiwibird]

I've been reading a little bit and it seems celery is good also. Apparently Cranberries are highly recommended for birds with kidney issues.

Cranberries! Fantastic idea! I've heard those are good for humans with UTI's. Kiwi isn't a big berry fanatic and cherries aren't available in stores yet, so I guess I didn't even think to look for cranberries for him. Wonder where to find some this time of year?

 

[chris-md]

Get some milk thistle seeds.

 

[BirdGeeks]

Cranberries! Fantastic idea! I've heard those are good for humans with UTI's. Kiwi isn't a big berry fanatic and cherries aren't available in stores yet, so I guess I didn't even think to look for cranberries for him. Wonder where to find some this time of year?

If not fresh cranberries maybe sugar free cranberry juice. Pure powdered Ginger seems to be good also. I dont know about dried Cranberries since you are trying to stay away from Fiber.
Link about Cranberries-Food for thought

 

[EllenD]

Ah, my specialty...unfortunately. I have been blessed with chronic kidney stones since the age of 18, I get fewer now than I used to (I used to get between 5-10 a year that I was very aware of and that caused issues), now at age 38 I only get between 4-5 a year that I'm aware of and that cause me a problem. I probably pass between 40-50 a year at least that are either small enough or shaped in a way that I don't know that I'm passing them. It sucks, that's all I can say, it sucks. I've changed my diet completely, I've taken prescription meds, I've tried every natural and/or holistic treatment available, I've taken $100 a month special renal vitamins, etc. As 2 urologists have told me, "Some people are just stone-collectors". Yay, I'm a "stone-collector". Anway, as such, my kidneys are constantly becoming infected, especially when a stone gets stuck in one of my ureters and causes the urine to back-up into the kidney (hydronephrosis), which is what causes the undescribable pain in the lower side/back that people are always talking about with kidney stones, the pain that makes you want to kill yourself. And kidney infections are not much better, let me tell you. Anyway, my diet looks very similar to Kiwi's current diet, lol, and I can add to it and explain it a bit...

The reason for not eating any "dark, leafy greens", which is a bummer for a bird, is because they are loaded with not only calcium, but even more loaded with oxalates, which are extremely difficult for a compromised kidney to process. Also, he's more likely right now to actually form a renal calculi due to the compromised kidney, so feeding him foods that are high in both calcium and oxalates, such as dark green, leafy veggies, black pepper, tea/tannic acid, coffee, etc. can cause serious issues. Also, any foods that will change the pH of his urine/renal system are very bad, such as the citrus fruits, and avoid bananas, raisins, kiwi, honeydew, and any juice thereof. The artificial dyes, depending on what they are, can cause a host of renal and liver issues, but the renal issues can be awful because a lot of artificial dyes are excreted by the renal system and can actually change the pH, effect the diameter of the renal vessels, and over-work the kidneys if they are in-fact excreted by the renal system instead of the hepatic system. Also, a lot of these foods are high in phosphorous and/or potassium, which are big no-no's.

The corn, soy, and beans are much the same as the artificial dyes, they are excreted mostly by the renal system, and can cause changes that can negatively impact the function of the kidneys. Also, these as well as the animal meats can be high in protein, and with a renal diet you need to lower your overall protein intake, which is also why the pellets are off the diet.

***Now, onto the important stuff, what foods are excellent for the overall health of the kidneys and the entire renal system:

-Cherries
-Cranberries and Cranberry Juice (all-natural, no sugar added, not from concentrate)
-Peaches
-Grapes
-Pears
-Apples
-Pineapple
-Watermelon (good source of hydration too, which is very important)
-Berries such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries
-Broccoli
-Carrots
-Cauliflower
-Squash and Cucumber
-Bell Peppers
-Eggplant
-Egg-Whites (no yolks)
-Pasta that is NOT whole wheat
-White Rice
-Cinnamon
-Olive Oil
-Garlic


***A big one for birds would be avoiding nuts, whole wheat products, bran, multi-grain products, etc. because they are extremely high in phosphorous. So where white rice is usually not the best to eat, it is for renal health as opposed to brown rice or a multi-grain rice, same for pasta, breads, etc. Everything has to be "white" and NOT whole wheat/whole grain/multi grain. Sounds counterproductive, but for the kidneys it makes sense...

Instead of nuts and seeds that are extremely high in phosphorous, such as sunflower seeds, almonds, peanuts, etc., you want to instead try unsalted popcorn, cream of wheat (no oatmeal), and any type of rice based cereal instead of corn, soy, wheat, or graham-based cereals that are high in phosphorous. So any regular cereal that is rice-based, or better yet the regular baby rice cereals that are not multigrain or whole wheat. Regular, plain grits are good too.

So it's tough with no pellets and no seeds or nuts, lol, that is hard for a parrot. The pellets are definitely a big no-no due to their high protein content, and nuts are extremely high in phosphorous, so I'd stay away from all nuts, as well as sunflower seeds. I've never had to put one of my birds on a renal-health diet, so that's a challenge, but again, THINK "RICE-BASED" instead of wheat, bran, soy, nut, graham, or multi-grain based...

 

[riddick07]

Yeah I was going to say cranberries too. Dandelion root and devils claw would be something to talk over with the vet too.

 

[EllenD]

Just to add, any fruit that isn't a Citrus fruit and isn't loaded with potassium is fine. So no Citrus Fruits, and go easy on the bananas. Other than that, most fruits are going to be fine, as are most veggies, just no lettuces, spinach, collard, mustard, turnip, dandelion greens, no kale, no bok choy or pak choy, and no rocket/arugula. Other than those, the veggies are pretty much all good, especially the squash family, sweet potato family, and eggplant, as they are going to provide more calories and nutrition in-general than other veggies do.

 

[BirdGeeks]

More experienced people are here! Yay! I'll just leave off with a "Get well soon Kiwi!"

 

[EllenD]

And just to make sure, did your vet say anything about his fluid intake? He's not in renal "failure", nor does he have chronic kidney disease, so I would think that fluid-intake would be very important to keep his renal system constantly flushed-out. If you see anything online about "lowering fluid intake", that only applies to renal failure and/or chronic kidney disease, as these patients are typically on dialysis and their kidneys cannot handle excess fluids on their own, so they are actually encouraged not to drink a lot of fluids. In the case of a bad kidney infection or renal system infection, kidney stones, etc., the opposite should apply, he should be encouraged to drink plenty of fluids.

 

[EllenD]

More experienced people are here! Yay! I'll just leave off with a "Get well soon Kiwi!"

Lol, yeah, this is one where I wish I knew nothing at all. Damn kidney stones, those little things have been the bane of my existence for the past 20 years....And I don't care, I still eat ice cream and I still love spinach!!!

 

[Kiwibird]

Thanks @EllenD for the great advice! I cooked up a batch of quinoa this morning for him, but I will definitely do white rice for him too and some regular 'white' spiral noodles. I'll see what other rice products I can find him. He loves squash, so I'll pick up a butternut for him as well. Pineapple is ok to feed? I know it isn't a citrus fruit, but it's pretty acidic is it not? I am making up a batch of skins-on applesauce (just cinnamon for flavor, no added sugar) as we speak to mix his meds into tonight. Probably a bit better than oatmeal with maple syrup. He won't eat melon at all, but berries he will occasionally show some interest in. It's pretty hit or miss. He loves cherries, but it's about a month too early to find them in stores Broccoli and cauliflower are favorites! What about white potatoes if white foods are suggested?

 

[OutlawedSpirit]

It is a bit out of season for cranberries, but you might be able to find frozen fresh cranberries. A lot of people still use "fresh" cranberries for baking throughout the year, so I've seen them in the frozen section as just the whole berries with nothing added. You might not find them in all stores, but I bet you can find them. He may even like them still at least partially frozen as the days are starting to get hot as a cool treat.

 

[EllenD]

Yep, pineapple is fine, as are the potatoes. It's good that Kiwi seems to not be a picky eater, my Senegal, Kane, would starve to death if he was in this situation. He hardly touches anything besides his Zupreem Natural pellets and his nightly oatmeal! I just looked at the entire list I typed out, and the only thing Kane will eat on it are carrots! He's such a little jerk...

Seriously, you're doing an awesome job, it's amazing what such a little thing like an itchy butt can turn into...

 

[Kiwibird]

Yep, pineapple is fine, as are the potatoes. It's good that Kiwi seems to not be a picky eater, my Senegal, Kane, would starve to death if he was in this situation. He hardly touches anything besides his Zupreem Natural pellets and his nightly oatmeal! I just looked at the entire list I typed out, and the only thing Kane will eat on it are carrots! He's such a little jerk...

Seriously, you're doing an awesome job, it's amazing what such a little thing like an itchy butt can turn into...

Kiwi isn't a terribly picky eater now, but you should've met him when we first adopted him! We couldn't figure out what he ate (beside human junk food). Thankfully, he has learned to eat other things, though I don't know how much he likes most healthy foods

He did like the applesauce I made up. Ate up all of it that I mixed his medicine in last night.

 

[Kentuckienne]

EllenD, that's a great list. Thanks for taking the time to write all that out.

 

[EllenD]

EllenD, that's a great list. Thanks for taking the time to write all that out.

No problem...I feel for everyone with kidney issues, lol. It's a real drag, let me tell ya..

 

[Kentuckienne]

I have trouble finding a lot of info, but here are some links that seem good.

Lefeber mentions that birds with reduced kidney function can have trouble assimilating protein and to not restrict it too much.

https://lafeber.com/vet/nutritional-management-of-renal-disease-in-birds/

Harrisons says something similar:
Topic: KIDNEY/RENAL BIRDS ? Which Formula? | Harrison's Bird Foods

The Merck Veterinary Manual refers to anecdotal evidence that omega acid supplements can help with renal problems. And I don’t have a link but read a couple places that high-water content foods are good. I know Kiwi has an infection and not renal failure per se, so nutrition to support fighting the infection is important. I sure hope Kiwi improves soon.