By Jennifer Coates, DVM
Kidney disease is extremely common in cats. It can develop quickly, because of something like an infection or exposure to antifreeze, or over many years for no apparent reason. Symptoms and treatment for kidney disease vary depending the specifics of the case, but oftentimes, a diet change can help.
Why Diet Matters
The kidneys have many roles in the body. Two of these major roles include removing waste products from the bloodstream and conserving water. When kidney function declines past a certain point, toxic waste products like urea and phosphorous begin to back up within the body, which can make a cat feel terrible. Poor kidney function also leads to dehydration because more water than normal is lost in the urine.
Both of these problems can be at least partially addressed with diet. Foods that have a high water content can help prevent dehydration, and when cats eat a diet made from moderate amounts of high quality protein, they produce less urea and phosphorous that then needs to be eliminated.
Over-the-Counter Foods
Cats who are in the early stages of kidney disease often thrive when fed an appropriate, over-the-counter food. Canned foods are best because they contain much more water than dry foods, but you still need to make sure the diet is made from high-quality ingredients.
Look for animal-based protein sources (chicken, beef, salmon, etc.) that sound like something you might eat rather than a byproduct of a manufacturing process. If your cat simply will not eat canned food, choose a dry food that is made from high-quality ingredients and do everything you can to encourage your cat to drink a lot of water. If your cat eats dry food, you may need to start giving subcutaneous fluids (fluids injected under the skin) sooner than you would otherwise.
Determining the right protein level for your cat’s food is tricky. Too much protein will increase the amount of urea and phosphorous the body needs to get rid of. On the other hand, cats with chronic kidney disease often suffer from muscle wasting, and too little protein can make this problem worse. Your veterinarian is the best person to make a recommendation regarding an appropriate dietary protein level for your cat.
Prescription Foods
Cats with more advanced cases of kidney disease can benefit from eating a prescription food. Prescription kidney diets tend to provide a moderate level of protein but are quite low in phosphorous, which helps keep the production of waste products as low as possible. These foods also usually have a reduced sodium content to prevent dehydration, are high in specific amino acids to promote muscle mass and contain other ingredients, like omega-3 fatty acids, that support kidney health.
Prescription kidney diets are available in canned and dry formulations, but once again, canned is usually best because of its high water content. The biggest problem with these foods is that cats will sometimes refuse to eat them. Manufacturers have worked hard to make their products tastier than they used to be, but you may still need to try several before you find one that your cat will relish.
Homemade and Raw Foods
When a cat is not eating enough to maintain a healthy weight, that particular food is failing to meet his or her nutritional needs even if it looks like it should be a good choice. The solution may be as simple as trying a different brand of prescription kidney diet or over-the-counter food, but if you’re willing to cook for your cat, a homemade diet might also be a good option. Homemade foods are usually so tasty that they will improve almost any cat’s appetite.
However, homemade diets can also be dangerous. Studies have shown that the majority of homemade pet diets are nutritionally incomplete, and this is especially true for the kidney disease recipes that you can find online or in books. Raw diets can also be risky for sick cats because their immune systems are not as strong as they once were and uncooked meat in particular can expose cats to potentially dangerous food-borne pathogens.
Before feeding your cat a raw or home cooked diet, talk to your veterinarian and/or a veterinary nutritionist who can put together a safe and nutritious recipe that will meet all of your cat’s needs.
FAQs
To achieve these multifaceted goals, renal diets are typically formulated to have reduced phosphorus content, modified amounts of high-quality protein, increased caloric density, added B vitamins, increased omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and antioxidant content, supplemented in potassium, and to have a neutral ...
What should I look for in cat kidney food? ›
When compared with normal maintenance adult cat food, a kidney support diet contains less protein, sodium, and phosphorus, and increased omega-3 fatty acids. These diets are formulated to help cats with CKD avoid metabolic acidosis and are available from your veterinarian.
What not to feed cats with kidney disease? ›
High salt (sodium) diets may increase blood pressure and may worsen kidney damage, so diets designed for pets with kidney disease are low in sodium. You should also avoid feeding high salt treats such as cheese, bread, deli meat, and many commercial dog and cat treats.
Is wet food better for cats with kidney disease? ›
Wet (canned) food is likely better than dry food because it provides more water. It is more important that your cat eat something than to eat very little of a prescribed new renal diet that it does not like. Make the diet change gradually. At first, you may need to mix your cat's current diet with the new one.
Is chicken bad for cats with kidney disease? ›
The compromise is to feed as much high quality protein as possible. The large size of protein molecules makes the kidneys work too hard and red meat is especially hard to process. Safer protein-rich foods include white meats such as chicken (and most cats adore rabbit meat), cooked eggs and small amounts of liver.
Is tuna ok for cats with kidney disease? ›
While cats can eat tuna occasionally, there are potential health risks. Tuna is high in mercury, a toxic metal that can accumulate inside the fish itself. Mercury is dangerous for cats to consume in large amounts as it can harm their kidneys and increase the risk of kidney failure.
What is the best protein for cats with kidney disease? ›
Egg whites and some animal meats tend to have a lower phosphorus to protein ratio, which will help your cat get the high quality protein she needs and can be an excellent source of lean dietary protein content for felines with compromised kidney function or kidney disease.
What is toxic to cats kidneys? ›
Antifreeze, toxic plants like lilies, pesticides, cleaning fluids, and certain human medications are highly poisonous to your cat's kidneys. Even a single tablet of ibuprofen can lead to their kidneys shutting down. Check around your house and garage for these substances and make sure your cat can't get into them.
What foods cause kidney damage in cats? ›
The most common and most preventable cause is off the shelf commercial dry cat food. The reason is that cats fed exclusively dry food suffer from chronic dehydration, which leads to stress on the kidneys over time.
What makes kidney disease worse in cats? ›
Low potassium levels may also contribute to the worsening of kidney failure. B Vitamins. When the failing kidneys cannot concentrate the urine, water-soluble vitamins like B12 become depleted, and affected cats need supplementation.
Some cats on Tanya's Feline CKD Support Group have eaten nothing but Fancy Feast for years, and have done well on it, with the addition of phosphorus binders when needed (i.e. if their blood tests show phosphorus levels that are too high).
How can I improve my cat's kidneys? ›
Encourage your cat's water consumption
Your cat's kidneys thrive on water, which they use to flush toxins from their body. You can help keep your cat's kidneys healthy by encouraging your cat to drink as much water as possible. Cats can be stubborn, however, so you may have to trick them into thinking it is their idea.
Is filtered water better for cats with kidney disease? ›
Filtered water has several benefits for cats with kidney problems. It helps to improve the quality of drinking water by reducing pollution and filtering out contaminants such as microbes, hormones, and nitrates.
What can I feed my elderly cat with kidney disease? ›
| Brand and Variety | Phos % | Cals per oz |
|---|
| Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function Early Care | 0.43 | 29.45 |
| Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Renal Support D (Delicious) | 0.44 | 32.33 |
| Hill's Prescription Diet k/d with Tuna | 0.45 | 30.91 |
| Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Renal Support E (Enticing) (pâté) | 0.46 | 29.48 |
13 more rowsOverall, we find a raw meat diet with 60-80% raw meat, and a combination of cereal/vegetable and vitamin/mineral/trace element, low in sodium and phosphate and high in Omega 3 fatty acids forms the perfect diet for managing early to mid-stage renal failure, together with plenty of drinking water on hand.
When should I put my cat down with kidney failure? ›
You will know it is time to euthanize your cat when your primary veterinarian has given a terminal diagnosis such as cancer or kidney failure and the quality of life has been dramatically affected. There may be drastic weight loss, difficulty moving, and persistent breathing difficulties.
What is considered high phosphorus in cat food? ›
Amounts of phosphorus exceeding 3.6g/1000 kcal ME have been found to cause kidney injury, in combination with diets containing high levels of sodium salt phosphates and low calcium to phosphorus ratios.
What is the most palatable kidney cat food? ›
#1 Overall Best: Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Renal Support D Morsels in Gravy Canned Cat Food. This gravy-style food from Royal Canin receives consistently positive reviews and doesn't seem to share the palatability problem that most kidney formulas face. It has a chunky consistency that most cats seem to love.
What is the difference between Royal Canin Renal Support T and D? ›
The canned recipes are T, D, and E. T is for Tasty and is a slices in gravy option with multiple flavor profiles. D is for Delectable and is formulated as morsels in gravy, similar to the Renal Support T. E is for Enticing and is a pate texture canned recipe with chicken and pork flavors.
Which cat food has the least phosphorus? ›
One way to help extend their life is to start them on a diet of cat food low in phosphorus.
- Forza10 Nutraceutic Actiwet Renal Support Wet Cat Food. ...
- Weruva Truluxe Steak Frites Low Phosphorus Cat Food. ...
- Fussie Cat Super Premium Chicken in Gravy. ...
- Wellness Healthy Indulgence Morsels. ...
- Hill's Science Diet Tender Tuna Dinner.
