A cat’s kidney plays an important role in keeping them healthy. They remove toxins, maintain blood pressure, and help produce hormones for new red blood cells. Since the kidneys have a lot of functions, they tend to wear out as the cat gets older.
In this list, we will tell you about 10 cat foods that you can give to your cat when it is suffering from a kidney-related disorder.
Foods for Kidney Disease
Now that you know about all the basics of kidney disease and the dietary requirements, you will find a variety of renal cat food options to choose from. Some of the most highly rated are listed below.
[amazon table=”2878″]
1. Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet: Kidney & Mobility Support
Chronic renal failure in cats requires feeding with specialized renal cat food. The Blue Buffalo product is ideal for that. This dry food has reduced animal protein and minerals such as phosphorus and sodium.
The grain-free quality works well for cats with sensitive stomachs. Additional nutrients such as chondroitin and glucosamine help your cat’s joint function and overall mobility.
This product is prescription-only, so you can start feeding your cat after the vet’s approval.
2. Royal Canin Feline Renal Support S Dry
Similar to the Blue Buffalo Diet, this product is also available on prescription only. You can feed your cat to ease the symptoms and spread of the disease. The element of loss of appetite is addressed; it includes a specific blend of ingredients that stimulate the appetite.
The low protein level prevents the already weak kidneys from overworking on toxic degradants. The formula also contains antioxidants to help the cat’s body to deal with renal dysfunction and fatty acids to improve the health of other organs.
The ‘S’ in the name refers to savory, one of the flavors to attract picky eaters. The exact feeding instructions depend on the cat’s weight.
3. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function Advanced Care
The specialized formula is designed to support cats with chronic renal failure. It contains low protein, phosphorus, sodium levels, and omega-3 fatty acids to control kidney pressure and improve your cat’s overall health.
This product is manufactured in collaboration with vets, nutritionists, and researchers, to form a balanced formula that meets your cat’s nutritional requirements. The moderate amount of high-quality protein, B-complex vitamins, and potassium help in achieving the desired results.
4. Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care Ocean Fish Dry Cat Food
This product is specifically designed to protect kidney and heart functions. It is AAFCO approved, contains omega-3 fatty acids and L-Carnitine.
Ocean fish contains low protein (helps control toxic elements in the blood) while having high levels of amino acids ( helps with lean muscles and proper calorie intake). Fish has low phosphorus and sodium to maintain good kidney health.
Hil’s formulas are all prescribed diets, so you will need the vet’s permission before feeding the cat.
5. Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Recipe Natural Cat Food
Unlike the previous options, this product is a non-prescription food with low phosphorus. It has a relatively short ingredient list, with a farm-raised rabbit the only protein source.
It provides all the essential amino acids for immune health. As the name suggests, it is grain-free with no by-products, artificial colors, and preservatives. Similar to all dry foods, it lacks moisture. For this, you need to make sure that your cat drinks enough water.
6. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Renal Support D Morsels in Gravy Canned Cat Food
This renal cat food is a combination of morsels and thick gravy to make it more palatable for picky cats. Renal support D Morsels in gravy attracts cats with lost appetite by adding more natural odor to the formula.
The wet food allows the cat to get enough nutrients in small portions. It contains low protein and phosphorus levels, together with Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. The formula is designed to be abundant in calories, which compensates for the loss of appetite.
To purchase this product, you will need your vet’s permission. The specific diet can not be controlled without supervision.
7. Weruva TruLuxe Grain-Free Natural Canned Wet Cat Food
This product is a non-prescription low phosphorus cat food for your cat’s kidney and urinary health. It includes grass-fed beef as a primary source of animal protein. It is enough to fulfill needs while also being sustainable for digestion. Extra vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants help to maintain a balanced diet for adult cats.
The formula contains no GMO, gluten, corn, soy, or artificial colors or flavors. It has low levels of magnesium and phosphorus, while extra taurine for better eye and heart health.
8. Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care Chicken Canned Cat Food
This recipe consists of minced meat in jelly, which attracts cats of all ages. The formula is researched by vets and nutritionists to support kidney health; it reduces the risk of developing calcium oxalate crystals in the kidneys.
Less protein allows the kidneys to work better by providing the organ with fewer toxins. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and improve the overall blood flow around the organ. To purchase this product, you will need to take authorization from the vet.
9. Dave’s Restricted Diet Phosphorus-Chicken Dinner Canned Cat Food
This cat food is specifically designed to address high levels of phosphorus. It includes chicken and chicken broth as base ingredients to provide the cat with basic protein and fats.
The lack of phosphorus and sodium helps in minimizing the blood pressure on the kidneys. In addition, this diet is completely free of grains and additives, which makes it suitable for cats with sensitive stomachs.
Although you can purchase this product without consulting a vet, it is still better to do so. It is recommended to use only as directed by the vet to ensure that the given food meets your cat’s needs.
10. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diet NF Kidney Function Advanced Care Canned
This product originally comes in a paste-like form, but you can add extra water according to your cat’s likings. The primary source of protein is the chicken hearts and liver. Taurine improves eye health while low phosphorus maintains healthy kidney function.
The feeding and transition instructions are available on the can, for which you do not require the vet’s permission. However, to be sure of the consequences, it is better to consult your vet beforehand.
About the Disease
Kidney failure can arise due to various causes. They range from tumors to chronic diseases. Let us know more about the different kinds of diseases that cats can suffer from.
Acute Kidney Disease
Acute kidney illness in your feline implies that the kidneys have abruptly stopped operating efficiently. Infestation or the ingestion of hazardous or poisonous substances such as coolants can cause this. Based on the particular source, these impairments in cats can be lifelong or recoverable.
Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease, on the contrary, is more subtle and typically develops over a period of several months. Pathogens, malignancies, and high blood pressure are some of the causes. Unfortunately, by the time such disorders are unearthed, they are usually incurable.
The functional zones of the kidney help make up for the deterioration in the early stages of kidney disease by boosting workload. However, when the condition worsens without medication, the competent parts shrink and can barely function properly. Several symptoms are also evident at this stage.
Chronic kidney disease in cats necessitates periodic veterinary attention. A blend of particular diets and medical therapies is often employed to stabilize the disease
Identifying the problem is the first approach in any treatment. You’ll need to be aware of these specific symptoms in order to do so.
Kidney Disease Symptoms in Cats
Your cat’s increased appetite will be among the first indications you’ll discover, followed by substantial volumes of very pale urine. As kidneys’ ability to concentrate urine degrades, they will drink plenty of water to replenish the fluids lost.
Your cat may become sick, throw up, or completely stop eating as well. They may appear weary and lose weight as a consequence of eating less.
These symptoms might easily be confused for something else, causing the illness to aggravate. To avoid this, you should get help from a veterinarian for a thorough diagnosis and treatment options.
Diet as a Treatment
A special diet can reduce the signs of kidney failure and slow the progression of the disease. Your vet may suggest a tailor-made prescription diet that has been formulated to meet your cat’s needs.
The protein in the cat food for kidney diseases is highly digestible to ensure that there is the least possible waste to flush out. In addition, these diets also have reduced phosphorus and essential fatty acids that work as natural anti-inflammatories to support the kidneys.
The only downside of these diets is that they are made with very strict recipes, which might cause them to smell unpleasant. Your cat may not like them at first, but they can get accustomed to them gradually.
When feeding your cat with kidney disease, you should introduce the new diet slowly so they can adapt to the new flavors and different textures. While they are getting used to the new diet, they may prefer small portions instead of limited larger meals.
There are many different brands available that provide specialized diets with different flavors and textures.
