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Answer: While it was once believed that cats with kidney disease should be fed a low-protein diet, current research suggests that moderate amounts of high-quality protein are important for cats with kidney disease. It is important to consult with a veterinarian to determine the best diet for your cat 's individual needs.
Cats with kidney disease have a reduced ability to excrete phosphorus, which can lead to a buildup in the bloodstream and worsen kidney disease. To manage phosphorus levels, cats with kidney disease should avoid foods that are high in phosphorus, such as dairy products, organ meats, and certain grains.
The recommended phosphorus range on a dry matter basis for cats with CKD is 0.3-0.6%. Since phosphorus content is related to protein content, it is impossible to achieve these lower levels of phosphorus without limiting protein content. Sodium. Dietary sodium levels are mildly restricted to reduce the workload on the kidneys.
- Overview
- Selecting Food for Your Cat
- Adjusting and Maintaining Your Cat’s Diet
- Consulting with Your Vet
Kidney issues tend to show up in older cats or cats who have other health issues like high blood pressure, a hereditary disease, or cancer. Cats with kidney problems like chronic kidney disease need to maintain a special diet to stay healthy and manage their symptoms.
You may struggle with feeding a cat who has kidney problems, as you do not want its condition to get worse. Start by selecting food that will help your cat’s kidneys improve and adjusting your cat’s diet. You can also consult with your vet for guidance and advice.
Give your cat wet food instead of dry food.
Cats with kidney issues can become easily dehydrated, as their kidneys cannot retain water efficiently. They need to consume a lot of water on a regular basis to stay healthy. Giving your cat wet food will ensure it gets enough water when it eats. Dry food is too dehydrating and should be avoided.
Go for canned wet food that is high quality and all natural. Look for wet food that contains tuna juice, clam juice, chicken broth, and beef broth. Just make sure that these are low in sodium. Avoid tuna in brine and opt for tuna in water instead.
You can also add water or warm broth to your cat’s wet food for added water consumption.
Make sure the food contains reduced amounts of protein.
A reduced protein diet is important for cats with kidney issues, as it can be hard on your cat’s kidneys to process a lot of protein at once. Give your cat wet food that contains less protein and protein that is high quality. High quality protein like rabbit and chicken are usually easier to digest for cats with kidney issues.
Change your cat’s diet gradually.
Cats can find it difficult to switch their diet, especially to a diet that may not taste like their usual food. Start by changing your cat’s diet gradually over a few weeks. Mix in a small amount of the new food with your cat’s old food. Increase the amount of new food in the old food slowly over a period of weeks, adding more each day. Only give your cat more new food in its old food when it eats all of the mixture.
Be patient and do not try to rush your cat into eating the new food right away. Doing this can make your cat not want to eat at all, which is very bad for its health.
Bringing the cat food to a warm temperature, around 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), can make it more enticing to your cat. Present the wet food warm in your cat’s bowl so it is encouraged to eat it.
Maintain a regular feeding schedule.
Feed your cat at the same time every day, twice a day. Doing this will help your cat regulate its appetite and make it easier for it to adjust to a new diet. Try not to deviate from the feeding schedule for your cat once it is established.
Ask your vet for prescription cat food.
If your cat has serious kidney problems, such as chronic kidney disease, your vet may prescribe special cat food that you can give your pet. This prescription cat food will be specially formulated to help manage your cat’s symptoms and condition.
Your vet should also instruct you on how often you should feed your cat the prescription cat food. Follow your vet’s instructions when feeding your cat so your cat’s condition improves.
Discuss other supplements for your cat.
Depending your cat’s needs, your vet may recommend supplements for your cat to help manage its condition. Only give your cat supplements on your vet’s recommendations. Look for supplements that are pet safe and approved by your vet.
If your cat has high phosphate levels in its blood due to kidney issues, for example, your vet may recommend a phosphate binder that you can add to its diet.
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Clinical evaluation of dietary modification for treatment of spontaneous chronic kidney disease in cats (2006) Ross SJ, Osborne CA, Kirk CA, Lowry SR, Koehler LA, Polzin DJ Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 229(6) pp949-57 was a double-blinded randomised study which found that feeding a therapeutic kidney diet helped to keep BUN levels lower and appeared to help prevent ...
Nov 2, 2024 · This food from Purina does everything a standard renal diet does. It has controlled levels of protein, low phosphorus, and reduced sodium. Added B-complex vitamins help to break down nutrients and help your cat feel better. On a dry matter basis, the formula is approximately 0.49% phosphorus and 34% protein.
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Chronic kidney disease is defined as abnormal renal structure or function, or both, that has persisted for 3 months or more.8 More than 50% of cases of CKD in cats are idiopathic.9,10 In most cats with CKD, the kidneys are damaged by inflammation and progressive fibrosis of the tubules.9,11-14 This is in contrast to CKD in dogs, in which primary
