renal failure is one of the most common problems in older cats and there are two types: renal failure, which usually be caused by an infection or the appearance of toxins and chronic kidney failure, caused by tumors, irreversible damage or unknown causes. A cat suffering from kidney failure must receive appropriate nutrition as well as specific care to improve its he alth and increase its longevity.
Remember that a food for cats with kidney failure must be prescribed by the veterinarian since it is a product that could damage the he alth of a he althy cat or one suffering from another disease. In addition, the specialist will offer you advice to take better care of him and increase his life expectancy
In this article on our site we have compiled the best feed for cats with kidney failure and we will explain what benefits each one has and why what should you choose them. Do not forget to discuss your choice with the veterinarian to ensure that it is the appropriate food for your cat:
Feeding a cat with kidney failure
Before talking about the nutritional needs of cats with kidney failure, it is essential to remember that water consumption is vital for favor the recovery of the feline or to improve its quality of life. A diseased kidney loses its ability to retain water, causing copious amounts of urine leading to dehydration
Some tips that may help you are:
- Apart from the feed, include wet food in your diet daily, yes, do not forget to choose products that are indicated for kidney failure.
- Refresh the water in the drinking fountain regularly.
- Consider buying a water fountain, many cats prefer this type of drinker.
- Keep food and water bowls clean and away from the litter box.
- In the most severe cases, subcutaneous serum should be used.
Now that we know the importance of hydration in our cat, it will be time to talk about the diet that he should follow. It is very important to emphasize that it is the main treatment and that it is the key to treating renal deficiency or improving the quality of life of cats suffering from chronic renal deficiency.
The diets, whether homemade recipes for cats with kidney failure or feeding based on dry food, must contain:
- Protein restriction: reducing the protein content of the cat's diet prevents kidney degeneration. We must consult with our veterinarian the amount of daily grams of protein that the patient needs and also make sure that it is a high quality product. This detail will help us to choose the correct feed.
- Phosphate Restriction (Phosphorus): Like protein, phosphate is difficult for a diseased kidney to filter, In addition, it can accumulate scar tissue in said organ. Especially in cats with a phosphorus level higher than 6.8 mg/dl, the use of binders is highly recommended as it adheres to the phosphate in the food and prevents it from reaching the blood.
- Increased lipids: It is common for cats with kidney failure to reject different types of food and this causes anorexia in our feline. Increasing the intake of lipids improves the stability of the food and helps maintain the ideal weight. The animal should eat between 70 and 80 kc daily, especially those that contain omega 3 and 6.
- Vitamins and supplements: ask your veterinarian about the possibility of offering your cat vitamins B and C (very important for digestive he alth and increased appetite), potassium and acid base control. Because of the heartburn in cats with this disease, many veterinarians recommend the use of antacids.
Hill's
The range of Hill's Prescription Diet has clinically proven products that can help control the different he alth problems that a cat may suffer. In addition to feed, Hill's complements each of its products with canned food, very beneficial if our best friend is delicate and needs soft food.
Below we suggest 3 Hill's brand products for cats suffering from kidney failure:
1. Prescription Diet c/d Chicken
Cat's calculi or kidney stones are a serious he alth problem that should be treated as soon as possible. Without a doubt, buying Prescription Diet c/d Chicken is buying one of the best feeds for cats with kidney failure since reduces the appearance of stones and dissolves them in 14 days It is a very specific product and for a very specific ailment, so if you are not sure that your cat may suffer from stones, you should never give him this product. In this case Hill's proposes the classic chicken flavor
two. Prescription Diet c/d Fish
This product, Prescription Diet c/d Fish, is identical to the previous one, the only difference is the taste, whichin this case it is fish It is also used to treat kidney stones or calculations, preventing their appearance and dissolving them in 14 days.
3. Prescription Diet Feline k/d
Unlike previous products, Prescription Diet Feline k/d is designed to improve quality of life of cats suffering from kidney failure. It is an excellent product that also has reduced proteins, ideal for elderly cats, and with an important source of omega 3.
Royal Canin
Royal Canin has a range of specific foods that support the various veterinary treatments. In this case, to treat kidney failure:
Renal RF 23 Feline
The product Renal RF 23 Feline, is especially indicated for chronic renal failure, for alkalinization of the urine, for hepatic encephalopathy, and for cats with recurrent calcium ox alt uroliths. It has a low phosphorus content and also proteins are limited , which, as we mentioned in the previous case, is very beneficial for elderly cats.
ProPlan
Optirenal Sterilized Turkey
Finally, Optirenal Sterilized Turkey has two very important functions: it improves the quality of life of cats with urinary or kidney problems and also it is perfect for sterilized cats It is a very complete product. It is also a delicate food for cats with sensitive digestion.
