Renal Diet Foods for Cats

Chronic renal failure, also called CRF, is the primary form of kidney disease affecting older cats. It can occur in younger animals but is a more common problem for older cats. Animals suffering from melamine poisoning may also suffer CRF. This serious disease is progressive and impossible to cure, but cats can still live comfortably for some time. A moderate-protein, low-salt, low-phosphorus diet is part of treating CRF.

  1. Eukanuba

    • Eukanuba Veterinary Diet Multi-Stage Renal Formula is available in both dry and canned forms. You can acquire it through a veterinarian's office. This food provides appropriate protein levels to prevent loss of muscle mass and maintain organ and immune system function, but has reduced levels of phosphorus--a substance which can make renal disease worse. Eukanuba's Renal Formula also includes potassium citrate, high omega-3 fatty acid levels and a patented fiber system to reduce problems caused by the loss of waste filtering.

    Hi-Tor

    • Hi-Tor Canned Neo-Diet Feline Canned Kidney diet, a canned food made for cats suffering from renal disease, can be purchased from online retailers and specialty stores. The diet restricts protein levels to reduce strain on the renal system and uses primarily fat and carbohydrate calorie sources. The food contains reduced phosphorus and sodium levels, and is designed to be extremely appealing to cats, since weight loss is a major problem in animals with CRF.

    Hill's

    • Hill's Prescription Diet Feline k/d, in canned and dry forms, is available from veterinarians. Hill's uses a recipe with reduced phosphorus, sodium and protein to maintain remaining kidney function, reduce the work the kidneys need to do and maintain blood pressure. The recipe also includes increased omega-3 fatty acids, B-complex vitamins and antioxidants to improve kidney health, maintain appropriate nutritional levels and promote immune health.

    Iams

    • Iams Veterinary Formulas Renal Multi-Stage foods come in canned and dry formulas. They are similar to the Eukanuba renal formula, with reduced phosphorus content and increased omega-3 fatty acids, plus potassium citrate and the Iams nitrogen trap fiber system. Unlike the Eukanuba renal formula, the Iams product is available from specialty retailers and can also be purchased online.

    Medi-Cal

    • Medi-Cal Feline Reduced Protein diet can be purchased in canned or dry types and is a controlled-sodium diet with low levels of phosphorus and protein. Medi-Cal foods are available from veterinarians or from online retailers with a prescription from your vet. This food can also be used to treat heart and liver disease, as well as urinary stones. The Medi-Cal formula includes higher levels of water-soluble vitamins to account for loss through the urine, and extra potassium, as well as additional omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.