Diets and supplements for cats with kidney problems

Kidney failure in cats is a major cause of disease, usually affecting cats in old age but sometimesit can also affect young cats when it is caused by congenital problems such as polycystic kidney disease (present, for example, in Persian-bred cats).

Themost common symptoms are increased thirst, increased urine output, slimming, and reduced appetite. Dietary management is the only tool that can increase the life expectancy of cats with kidney failure, which is why it must be implemented promptly and correctly.

Discover the best products to solve your cat's kidney problems: Candioli, Prolife Veterinary Formula, NBF Lanes, Royal Canin V-Diet and Hills Prescription Diet.

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Key factors in the management of renal failure in the cat

1. phosphorus containment: phosphorus, in a cat with poorly functioning kidneys, is the mineral that must be kept at low levels; this is the factor that most prolongs our pet's life. It is not possible to avoid its intake altogether since it is a mineral contained in all foods, so it will be necessary to choose foods that contain low levels of phosphorus. In cases where dietary phosphorus containment is not sufficient to keep circulating phosphorus levels under control, a supplement that binds dietary phosphorus (e.g., calcium carbonate, lanthanum carbonate, aluminum hydroxide) will need to be added to the food
2. protein containment: avoid decreasing protein too much even if protein sources contain phosphorus; a cat with kidney problems tends to lose protein through urine, so it is advisable not to decrease it too much. It is essential to use protein sources of high biological value, so it is recommended to prefer animal protein sources while avoiding vegetable protein sources.
3. Increase in omega-3 series fatty acids: omega-3 series fatty acids, especially some fatty acids such asEPA(contained in fish oil and krill oil) prevent worsening of the renal situation and therefore have a protective function.
4. increase in water-soluble vitamins: B-complex vitamins are to be increased in cats with renal failure, as high urine production results in a loss of these vitamins, which are essential for keeping the nervous system functioning and for good skin and coat quality.
5. Increased lipid level and energy density: in cats with renal failure there may be increased uremia. This condition results in a feeling of "nausea" that leads the cat not to eat. Therefore, it will be necessary to increase the fats contained in their diet because, in this way, the cat will have more incentive to take the food (since fats, especially animal fats, release aromas that the cat likes) and, at the same time, even eating a reduced amount, it would still take in a sufficient amount of calories.