Kidney Failure In Cats Diet
Chronic kidney disease is frequently diagnosed in aging cats.
Kidney failure in cats diet. Effect of dietary management 2000 Elliott J Rawlings JM Markwell PJ Barber PJ Journal of Small Animal Practice 41 pp235-42 29 cats were fed a reduced protein low phosphorus therapeutic kidney diet while a further 21 cats did not eat this diet. Its even more valuable for those with kidney disease. Doctors advise controlling the progression of kidney failure by nutrition modification.
While there are commercial brands which provide special feed designed for cats with kidney disease homemade food is an option for some guardians. Low-protein diets are commonly prescribed for kidney failure. Look at the ingredients list on the food to make sure it contains lower protein.
Limiting dietary phosphorus in cats with CKD appears to help delay the progression of CKD although the precise mechanism is unknown. The real reason for this is because meat is high in phosphorus and it is phosphorus that is the problem it combines with calcium and further damages the kidneys. These diets include commercial products and diets specifically designed for cats with CKD formulated by boarded veterinary nutritionists.
This diet has restricted sodium and phosphorus while it has therapeutic omega-3 fatty acids and L-Carnitine as well as high amounts of other essential amino acids. If your cat is suffering from chronic kidney disease your veterinarian may prescribe a renal diet such as Hills Prescription Diet Feline KD cat food. The recommended range of protein on a dry matter basis for cats with CKD is 28-35.
At AnimalWised we provide some homemade cat food recipes for cats with kidney disease. 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. Nutrition plays an important role in managing CKD in cats.
A kidney support diet contains less protein sodium and phosphorus and increased omega-3 fatty acids. High quality protein like rabbit and chicken are usually easier to digest for cats with kidney issues. Feeding your cat a dry diet may have you giving him subcutaneous fluid injections sooner than theyd otherwise be necessary.