What is purine?

Purine is a natural substance commonly found in food from both plant and animal sources, meaning that it is a normal part of the diet. When purine is broken down, it creates uric acid, which is naturally processed by the kidneys and disposed of as a waste product. However, in some animals, including humans, an excess of uric acid has the potential to cause a number of health problems, such as urolithiasis (urate stones), pancreatitis and impaired kidney function.

If your dog is of a breed prone to urate stones or pancreatitis, it is recommended that they are fed a low purine diet (otherwise known as a dog pancreatitis diet). Because red meat, game, and organ meat can be particularly high in purine, our raw low-purine dog food features a reduced quantity of these protein sources and is boosted with nutrients from other biologically appropriate vegetables and superfoods.

What are the benefits of a low-purine diet?

Low-purine dog food can offer a variety of benefits for your furry companion. By choosing a low-purine diet, you can help prevent the formation of urate crystals in your dog's urine which can lead to painful conditions like kidney stones and urinary tract infections.

Additionally, low-purine dog food can be beneficial for dogs with certain health conditions, such as kidney disease or liver issues, as it can help reduce the strain on these organs. Overall, opting for a low-purine diet can help support your dog's overall health and well-being, ensuring they live a happy and comfortable life. Note: Always check with your vet before making a change to your dog’s diet.

Improved mobility

An excess of uric acid can cause issues in the joints of the body, which can potentially lead to significantly reduced mobility. Deposits of crystallised acid around the muscles and bones can make it more difficult for dogs to enjoy daily exercise and general movement. Nutriment’s low-purine dog food still provides all the essential nutrients your dog needs to enjoy a healthy lifestyle with low purine levels.

Supports kidney function

Low-purine dog food can be beneficial for older animals or those who are prone to conditions such as kidney stones. When the kidneys are overworked (i.e. when filtering uric acid from the system), small, painful stone-like build-ups can form, which makes life very uncomfortable for dogs and can also lead to a number of other serious health problems. Lowering the purine intake can support appropriate kidney function.

Pancreas friendly

Nutriment’s low-purine range is the perfect choice of dog food for pancreatitis, which means inflammation or swelling of the pancreas. Dogs who suffer from pancreas-related issues or concerns need veterinary assistance and a diet review, but overall, the right diet can make sure it is easier for your dog to digest the food and regulate blood sugar levels.

Although some breeds are more prone to suffering from canine pancreatitis, one of the main triggers is a diet high in fat. Nutriment’s high-quality, raw purine dog food is naturally low in fat due to the protein sources featured and alleviates supports function of the surrounding organs with regards to the filtering of uric acid.

Reduced risk of urinary infections, urinary crystals, and bladder problems

A normal urinary pH is 5.5 – 7 for both dogs and cats. Generally, when urinary pH becomes too acidic, there is the potential for oxalate stones to form. If it becomes too alkaline, then struvite stones may form. Symptoms of this stone formation include frequent urination, painful or bloody urination, bladder infections, kidney inflammation, and sometimes complete blockage of the urinary tract.

Some breeds are more susceptible to forming stones, such as Dalmatians, Miniature Schnauzers, Yorkshire Terriers, and Shih Tzus. By feeding a diet naturally low in purine to these breeds, you will be offering a diet that supports your dog nutritionally while maintaining optimum health.

Why choose dog food from Nutriment?

Nutriment's extensive portfolio of raw, natural dog food is formulated to support a healthy and happy lifestyle. For breeds and types of dogs who require a more tailored diet regarding purine levels, Nutriment’s range of nutrient-rich, raw, low-purine dog food is a great choice.

Made from all-natural ingredients specifically chosen to support optimal canine health, our range of low-purine dog food is formulated with carefully selected, high-quality meat, fish, vegetables, and superfoods that are naturally lower in purine. All of our ingredients across all of our products are completely natural and free from any artificial chemicals, flavours, colours, or bulking agents.