In need of kidney disease cat food?
Whether or not you are facing a kidney problem with your cat or you are trying to head one off, there is some kidney disease cat food on the market.
If you are trying to avoid kidney problems it is important to remember that you want to have a high moisture and a low phosphorus and sodium content in the foods you feed your kitty. Some of the best healthy foods on the market are:
- Prowl by The Honest Kitchen
- Merrick
- Wellness
- Evo
- Eagle Pak
- Felidae
However, if you are already having issues and are looking for diets for cat kidney problems, then you’ll want to pay attention to the phosphorus and sodium content. At this point, dry food should not even be an option. For awhile it was recommended putting cats on a low protein diet to help take some of the pressure off of the ailing kidneys. This is now not usually recommended. Cats have higher protein requirements then many other animals so it would make sense that your cat should maintain protein intake to give the body energy for the fight ahead of it. Cats that are facing kidney problems should eat the same types of food as healthy cats—only it is more important that you are feeding high quality foods such as the ones listed above. Corn, wheat and bi-products are big no-no’s and should be avoided at all costs.
If your cat has been diagnosed with a chronic problem and you need to find a good kidney disease cat food there are a few specialty foods on the market. These foods usually require a prescription from your vet. The main prescription cat foods on the market for kidney issues are:
- Hill’s K/D
- Royal Canin Renal LP21
- Eukanuba Multi Stage Renal Diet
- Purina NF Kidney Function
Some of the biggest difference prescription diets have over the commercial diets is the higher levels of Vitamin B and the added Potassium. They are also lower in Protein, Phosphorus and Sodium.
Whether you are doing research on the best foods out there or you need to make a decision fast there are some very good kidney friendly cat food resources on the net:
Feline CRF (Chronic Renal Failure) – Which Foods
Do you have a recommended food for kidney friendly cat food? Please contact Floppycats.com and let us know!
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you very much. This was helpful. I was still thinking low protien for kidney issues.
Thanks for the information on this website! However, you contradict yourself in the info you give and I am hoping for a little clarification:
You say that I should avoid “Corn, wheat and bi-products… at all costs” for my cat with a kidney problem, but then you recommend prescription cat foods that are loaded with such things. My vet recently prescribed my cat with Hill’s, and when she hated that, Purina. Having recently researched the food we were feeding our cats and deciding we would only give them grain-free food with no by-products from now on, I was disgusted to read the ingredients lists on both the Hill’s and Purina foods. There is no way those foods can be better for my cat, and I’m seriously questioning the intelligence of the vet I took my cat to. So, which is it: Good, human-grade, healthy food with no grains or animal by-products or crappy “prescription” diets filled with all sorts of questionable items from questionable corporations? I think the answer is obvious!
Holly,
Not sure you wanted a response – looks like you already have the answer. Nonetheless, I am not a doc and this page is to provide information, not offer advice. I’d appreciate knowing what you find out, so we can share it. Did you check out the http://www.felinecrf.org/which_foods.htm website? It is fantastic and will provide the resources you’re looking for in this situation.
Jenny
To Holly and whoever else may have any answer,
I am having the same issue and am also TOTALLY disgusted with the choices I am being given. Why on earth would I feed my cat the best foods for her whole life and then when she is older and having a health crisis, put her on something loaded with bi-products and grains. My vet also needs to reconsider what she is advising me.
Was wondering is you found any other options???
My cat has been on Wellness her entire life after a short stint with Iams, which left her throwing up all over the place. Ever since I gave her good food, she has been fine. Now, after two UTI, her left kidney is needing support. I just cannot put her on food that contains PORK Bi-Products! since when do cats kill pigs and eat pig meat! wow!
If you or anyone has any information, Simone and I would be extremely greatful!
Love and Light!
Jane
Jane,
There is a vet in California that has a great website – http://www.catinfo.org – you can send her questions about your cat and she will offer insight, but in exchange, she asks that you make a donation to her local pet shelter in any amount you can afford.
You might go that route.
Jenny
I have been going through mutliple high quality (no by-products) cat foods trying to find options low in phosphorus and proteins. Prescription foods are not good for multiple reasons, and they are all marketing. Also, watch out for fish- it can contain heavy metals and be rough on your cats system especially if they have a history urinary tract problems.
After much research and talks with my vet I have found these foods to be palatable for a picky cat and very healthy. My 15 year old cat has been doing wonderfully on these foods, he is very active and at a good consistent weight.
Wysong Geriatrix dry food- I add a bit of warm water and he gobbles it up
Natures balance, reduced calorie and limited ingredient foods are great options. My cat loves the green pea and venison.
Spots Stew cans, very low in protein with great ingredients
Innova’s reduce calorie food wet and dry
Wellness is fabulous, they have a new canned formula out Cat Cuts that I am looking into. I cannot give my cat their dry food however because the protein content is very high. I am still awaiting confirmed phosphorus levels on all their foods.
I think the post about fancy feast is misleading, and as Holly said contradicting. Also for everyone’s general info, premium brands use ingredients like cranberries as mentioned as tonics- in low amounts similar to our multivitamins containing a few herbs. This does not complicate the recipe or make it superfluous. I have asked pet food makers about this. In fact the ingredients and nutritional values of premium foods are more consistent than those containing by-products which are random left overs thrown in. Limited ingredient foods are also only made by the premium brands and can be a good option for cats with a sensitive stomach. Contact the companies making a food you feel will work for your cat and they will send you all the nutritional information to help you decide whats best. They all have been very helpful in finding out what is best for my cat and it helps them make better products.