Diets for Cats With Kidney Disease

Kidney disease can occur in any cat, but most commonly occurs in older cats. Kidney disease inevitably leads to kidney failure, which is one of the most common causes of death in older cats. When a cat suffers from kidney disease, the kidneys lose the ability to concentrate urine, which leads the cat to both drink and urinate more frequently. While kidney disease cannot be cured, it can be managed through veterinary treatment and diet.

  1. Foods

    • It is important to restrict phosphorus in the diet of a cat with kidney disease, as it can help the cat to feel better. Protein restriction is a controversial method of treatment for feline kidney disease. However, to restrict phosphorus you must also restrict protein, because meat is the primary source of both phosphorus and protein in a cat's diet. Veterinarian-prescribed commercial diets for cats with kidney disease are available and can be effective, however some cats do not like these diets and will not eat them.

      Home-prepared diets for your cat are easy to make and give you control over what goes into them as well as allowing you to include specific tastes that your individual cat enjoys. Also, canned food is better than dry food in the case of feline kidney disease, as dry food dehydrates the cat.

    Fluid

    • Fluid intake is important for flushing toxins from the cat's bloodstream, which in turn helps the cat feel better. Provide your cat with fresh water to drink, and even offer him some meat-based broth to allow him to drink and stay hydrated.

      Fluid therapy can be administered by a veterinarian to replace water lost through the cat's kidneys. If your cat requires regular fluid therapy, an experienced veterinarian can install a port in the cat's skin and teach you how to administer fluid therapy to your cat at home.

    Supplements

    • Nutritional supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants are helpful for cats with kidney disease because they help to detoxify and maximize kidney function in cats. Probiotics are also of benefit to cats with kidney disease when given as a supplement in food. Your veterinarian can recommend nutritional supplements and/or probiotics for your cat to make him more comfortable and improve his quality of life with feline kidney disease.