My 5 year old female lab has digestion issues because of a poorly functioning liver. Any thoughts on whether it would be better to feed canned as opposed to dry? Thanks for your opinions. peace..............

Canned food is not likely to make a difference IMO in liver function. If anything, it has more water. Canned food is actually mostly water. The most important thing is to talk to your vet about your dog's diet and what is appropriate.

For the dogs that actually chew their food, and there are some, dry is better for their teeth and jaws. For chows with about the same ingredients, I doubt it would make much difference for the liver. I agree, your vet is your best source of info.

Of course you should always speak to your vet about nutrition for an animal with any problems be it liver function, kidneys, etc. but Hill's Prescription Diets, only sold by vets, does make a liver formula in both canned (http://www.hillspet.com/hillspet/products/productDetails.hjsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=8455244417 60538) and dry kibble (http://www.hillspet.com/hillspet/products/productDetails.hjsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=8455244417 60644) called L/D.

Purina (http://www.purinaveterinarydiets.com/) also makes prescription diets for many problems too. It just depends on what your vet carries for prescription diets.

Relying on dry food to help keep teeth clean and jaws exercised is not the best idea. It would be paramount to a human eating something hard and dry in an attempt to maintain oral hygiene without brushing and flossing. Only way to really keep a dog's jaws exercised and teeth sparking white is to either give RAW marrow bones and/or CET Chews, also available at your vet's office, or by brushing them daily, or at the very least every other day.

I personally do not have much faith in prescription diets, personal reasons. My advice to you would be to consult a certified canine nutritionist after speaking with your vet. I could give you some recommendations if you wish.

I personally do not have much faith in prescription diets, personal reasons. My advice to you would be to consult a certified canine nutritionist after speaking with your vet. I could give you some recommendations if you wish.

Even better!!:tup2:

If you want to go beyond your vet's ideas, I would carefully select a scientifically trained nutritionist, avoiding ones expert in speculation.