When your dog is diagnosed with a liver shunt, it can feel overwhelming and a little scary. Suddenly, food is no longer just “breakfast and dinner”. It becomes part of their medical management. Everything that goes into our dog’s mouths has to be considered much more.

But there is good news. Diet can play a very important role in helping many dogs with liver shunts feel more comfortable, reducing clinical signs and supporting their body while their vet decides on the best treatment plan moving forward.

But liver shunt diets are often misunderstood. Many people assume the answer is simply “low protein”, but that is only part of the picture. Dogs still need protein. They still need calories. They still need a complete and balanced diet. The goal is not to starve the liver of nutrients, but to reduce the workload on the body while supporting growth, muscle maintenance and quality of life.

What is a Liver Shunt?

A liver shunt, also called a portosystemic shunt, is an abnormal blood vessel that allows blood from the digestive system to bypass the liver. Normally, blood from the intestines travels to the liver first, where nutrients are processed and toxins are filtered before blood moves around the rest of the body.

In dogs with a liver shunt, some of that blood skips the liver entirely. This means substances that would normally be processed by the liver can enter the bloodstream. One of the key concerns is ammonia, which is produced during protein digestion and by bacteria in the gut. If ammonia and other toxins build up in the blood, they can affect the brain and nervous system, causing a condition called hepatic encephalopathy. This is why some dogs with liver shunts may seem wobbly (ataxia), disorientated, sleepy, vacant, restless or may even develop seizures.

Dogs can be born with liver shunts, or develop them later often due to things like liver disease. Congenital shunts ( dogs born with them) are often seen in quite young dogs, while acquired shunts are more commonly linked to another underlying condition and therefore we are more likely to see them in older dogs.

Some Key Signs of Liver Shunts in Dogs

Symptoms can vary depending on the type of shunt, the dog’s age and how much blood is bypassing the liver. Common signs may include:

• In younger dogs we may see poor growth or being smaller than expected
• Weight loss or difficulty maintaining weight
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Excessive drooling
• Lethargy
• Disorientation or staring into space
• Wobbliness or weakness
• Head pressing – Where a dog will stand with their head pressed against a wall or furniture.
• Seizures
• Behaviour changes after eating
• Increased thirst or urination
• Urinary crystals or bladder stones, especially ammonium biurate stones

Some dogs show signs very young, while others are diagnosed later after vague digestive or neurological symptoms.  The problem is these could be the symptoms of other health concerns so without bloods tests, ultrasounds or CT scans it can’t just be diagnosed. Remember, some dogs may not show all these symptoms.

How do vets Diagnose Liver Shunts?

Your vet may recommend blood tests, bile acid stimulation testing, urinalysis, imaging such as ultrasound or CT, and sometimes specialist referral. Diet can help manage signs, but it does not replace diagnosis or treatment.

Some dogs will be able to have surgery to gradually close the shunt. Others are managed medically, especially if surgery is not possible due to other health conditions or age or if the dog has multiple acquired shunts. Medical management may include a hepatic supportive diet, lactulose and sometimes antibiotics under veterinary direction. Research into congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts has looked at combinations of hepatic supportive diet, lactulose and antimicrobials for controlling pre-surgical clinical signs. Your vet might choose all or one of the above.

Why Diet Matters for Dogs with Liver Shunts

Diet matters because many of the toxins that cause problems in liver shunt dogs are produced in the gut. This means we can often reduce the production and absorption of these compounds through careful feeding.

A liver shunt diet usually aims to:

1. Provide enough calories to prevent weight loss
2. Provide enough high-quality protein for muscle support without triggering a flare up
3. Reduce ammonia production
4. Support gut health and stool quality
5. Low to moderate fat
6. Avoid excessive copper where appropriate
7. Avoid high-salt, rich or heavily processed treats
8. Keep the diet complete and balanced

The ideal diet for a dog with a portosystemic shunt should be complete and balanced, palatable, highly digestible and contain appropriate protein in both amount and type.

That last point is important: appropriate protein, not “no protein” or “extremely low” protein

Should Dogs with Liver Shunts Eat Low Protein?

This is where many owners get confused.

Dogs with liver shunts may need moderated protein, especially if they have signs of hepatic encephalopathy, but severe protein restriction is not usually the goal. Protein is essential for muscle maintenance, immune function, healing, growth and normal body function.

If protein is restricted too much, dogs can lose muscle and become weaker. This is especially concerning in puppies and young dogs who may have congenital liver shunts, who need nutrition for growth.

The type of protein can matter as much as the amount. Dogs with hepatic encephalopathy may do better with highly digestible, non-meat protein sources, including dairy, egg or vegetable-based proteins. Reviews of congenital portosystemic shunts note that non-meat protein-based diets are often recommended for dogs with hepatic encephalopathy and that commercial prescription liver diets can be appropriate when higher protein restriction is needed.

What Types of Diets Are Used for Dogs with Liver Shunts?

There is no single diet that suits every dog with a liver shunt. The right option depends on age, body condition, clinical signs, blood results, whether surgery is planned, and whether the dog has other conditions.

1. Veterinary Hepatic Diets

Veterinary hepatic diets are commonly used for dogs with liver shunts. These are usually formulated with controlled protein, carefully selected protein sources, reduced copper and added nutrients to support liver function.

They can be very useful for adult dogs needing medical management. However, they may not always be suitable for puppies, large breed puppies or dogs with other specific nutritional needs. This is why your vet, or veterinary nutrition professional should check whether the diet is appropriate for your dog’s life stage and any other health concerns they might have.

2. Home-Cooked Diets

A home-cooked diet may be considered in some cases, but it must be properly formulated. This is not a condition where chicken and rice, scrambled egg or random vegetables are enough.

A liver shunt home-cooked diet needs the right calories, protein level, amino acids, fats, fibre, vitamins, minerals, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, copper and sodium. Poorly balanced home cooking can create deficiencies or make the dog’s health worse over time.

Home-cooked diets may be useful when a dog refuses prescription diets, has other food sensitivities, or needs a more tailored plan. But they should be formulated by someone qualified in canine nutrition and used alongside strict veterinary monitoring.

3. Post-Surgery Diets

Some dogs continue with a hepatic supportive diet for several weeks after surgery while the liver adapts and blood results are monitored.

Long term, some dogs may gradually return to a more normal complete diet if blood results improve and their vet is happy. Others may need ongoing dietary management for the rest of their lives. It’s important to be guided on your vet team with the best dietary course.

4. Diets for Dogs Who Cannot Have Surgery

If surgery is not an option, diet becomes part of long-term management. This may include a hepatic diet, lactulose, careful treat choices, regular monitoring and adjustments based on symptoms and bloodwork

What Foods Should Dogs With Liver Shunts Avoid?

The biggest thing to avoid is giving lots of rich, high-protein extras on top of the main diet. Even if the main food is carefully controlled, treats can undo that balance.

Avoid or limit:

High-protein meat treats
Dried liver, chicken feet, pig ears, beef trachea, jerky, sausages, meat strips and high-meat training treats may be too rich for many liver shunt dogs.

Organ meats
Liver, kidney, heart and other organs are nutrient-dense but may be inappropriate for dogs needing copper or protein control.

High-copper foods
Copper may need to be controlled in some liver diets. Foods such as liver, shellfish and some organ meats are naturally high in copper.

High-salt foods
Avoid ham, bacon, cheese, crisps, gravy, processed meats and salty leftovers. These are not suitable liver-friendly treats. ( I would probably advise to avoid these with a healthy dog as well)

Large high-protein meals
Some dogs do better with smaller, more frequent meals rather than one or two large meals. This will be on a dog-by-dog basis and what suits your dog might not suit the next.

Unbalanced home diets
A “plain” diet may look gentle to the human eye, but if it is not complete and balanced it can cause problems long term.

Random supplements
Do not add milk thistle, SAMe, probiotics, zinc, vitamins or liver supplements without checking with your vet. Some can be helpful in the right case, but they are not automatically safe or needed for every dog.

What Foods Can Be Good for Dogs With Liver Shunts?

For dogs with liver shunts, the “best” foods are usually those that are highly digestible, complete and balanced, and suited to the dog’s stage of treatment.

Helpful features may include:

• Controlled but adequate protein
• Moderate fibre to support gut health (most complete dog foods will coverthis)
• Controlled copper where appropriate
• Appropriate calories (don’t feed too much)
• Low to moderate fat depending on the dog 10-12% on a dry matter basis
• Good palatability – Wet food can sometimes be best here
• Consistent feeding routine.

Some dogs may tolerate plant-based or dairy-based protein sources better than meat-heavy foods. This does not mean every dog with a shunt must eat a vegetarian or vegan diet, but it explains why many veterinary hepatic diets use specific protein sources rather than large amounts of meat.

Can Dogs With Liver Shunts Have Treats?

Yes, many dogs with liver shunts can still have treats, but treat choice matters.

Treats should be:

• Low in meat protein
• Low in fat
• Low in salt
• Given in small amounts
• Counted as part of the daily food intake
• Approved by your vet if your dog is clinically unstable

For liver shunt dogs, treats should usually make up no more than 10% of daily calories, and sometimes less if the dog is very sensitive. If your dog has neurological signs after eating, is newly diagnosed, or is awaiting surgery, ask your vet before adding anything new.

What Soopa Treats Are Suitable for Dogs With Liver Shunts?

Soopa treats are a helpful option for some dogs with liver shunts because many are plant-based, low in fat and not based on rich meat proteins. Soopa’s own range includes plant-based flavours such as carrot and pumpkin, cranberry and sweet potato, kale and apple, banana and pumpkin and other fruit and vegetable-based options.

This can make them a more suitable choice than dried liver, meat jerky, sausages, cheese or animal-part chews for dogs who need a lighter, less calorically dense treat.

Potentially suitable Soopa options may include:

Soopa Carrot & Pumpkin Dental Sticks

Carrot and pumpkin are gentle, plant-based ingredients and may be useful for dogs who need a lower-protein treat option. These are often a better choice than rich meat-based chews.

Watermelon & Apple Healthy Bites

These treats are very low in fat and no animal protein (like all Soopa treats) They can be broken up into small pieces to help with spreading the treats a little further

Soopa Banana & Pumpkin

Banana and pumpkin can be useful gentle treat ingredients for many dogs. For dogs with liver shunts, the benefit is that these are not rich meat-based snacks.

The key point is that no treat is automatically “liver shunt safe” for every dog. Suitability depends on your dog’s blood results, symptoms, main diet and current vet treatment plan. Soopa treats can be a sensible option to discuss with your vet because they are plant-based and lighter than many traditional dog treats. If your dog has a liver shunt and is needing a lower fat diet, I would opt for any of the low-fat range Soopa have to offer.

Treats to Be Careful With

Even with plant-based treats, portion size matters. A whole dental stick may be too much for a small dog, especially if they are on a controlled diet. Break treats into smaller pieces and use them as occasional rewards rather than adding lots of extras.

In certain cases, your vet may want the diet kept very strict and treats may be removed until stabilisation is found AND/OR surgery is performed

Can Diet Cure a Liver Shunt?

No. Diet does not cure a structural liver shunt.

However, diet can help manage clinical signs, reduce the production of gut-derived toxins and support the dog before or after surgery. For dogs who cannot have surgery, diet may be part of long-term medical management.

Some dogs do very well with surgery and careful post-operative care. Others need ongoing support. The best approach is always individual.

Final Thoughts

A liver shunt diagnosis can feel frightening for owners, but diet can make a real difference to many dogs. The aim is not to remove protein completely, but to feed the right amount, from suitable sources, in a complete and balanced way. Think routine and stability over perfection

Soopa’s plant-based treat range may be a useful option for some dogs with liver shunts, especially compared with high-protein meat chews, liver treats or fatty snacks. As always, check with your vet first if your dog is newly diagnosed, unstable or on a very strict medical diet.

Because when it comes to liver shunts, food really can be part of the treatment plan — but it needs to be thoughtful, measured and tailored to the dog in front of you.

References

• ACVIM consensus statement on diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis in dogs.
• Konstantinidis AO et al. Congenital Portosystemic Shunts in Dogs and Cats. Veterinary Sciences, 2023.
• Serrano G et al. Comparison of diet, lactulose, and metronidazole combinations in dogs with congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2022.
• MSD/Merck Veterinary Manual. Hepatic Encephalopathy and Portosystemic Shunts in Small Animals.
• VCA Hospitals. Portosystemic Shunt in Dogs.
• Tufts Petfoodology. Feeding Pets with Liver Shunts.