Hills Prescription Diet K/d Early Support Chicken Dry Cat Food
Hills early support chicken dry food is formulated to support your cats kidneys during the early stages of CKD. Some of the ingredients include L-carnitine which helps promote muscle strength.
This essential vitamin also breaks down fat cells and releases energy. Although already present in body, levels of L-carnitine decline with age.
This early support chicken dry food contains chicken both liver fat and pork liver flavor. This makes it highly palatable for your cat
In addition, omega 3 fatty acids help ease inflammation and support heart health. As its also been shown to have benefits in supporting CKD, this is a great ingredient for prescription diets.
Hills is a well known trusted brand and recommended by veterinarians. As with other specialized prescription diets youll need authorization from your vet.
Key Features
- Contains L-carnitine to support muscles
- Contains omega 3 fatty acids to ease inflammation
- Quality protein for essential amino acids and antioxidants
- Made in Hills own USA facility
- Recommended by Vets
Average ratings 4 out of 5
You can buy Hills Prescription Diet k/d Early Support Chicken Dry Cat Food here
The Best Cat Food Low In Phosphorus
Youll find two types of low-phosphorus foods on our list of favorites:
- Prescription veterinary diets with carefully calibrated amounts of phosphorus, sodium, protein, minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids. These are usually alkaline, rather than acidic, foods.
- Low phosphorus foods that include premium, natural ingredients but do not claim to address the range of kidney issues that prescription foods are designed to treat.
Youll want to check with your vet to see what they recommend for your cat. For prescription foods, youll have to provide a prescription or your veterinarians contact information to purchase. Your vet often can offer their advice on non-prescription foods as well, ensuring that the food you choose meets your cats individual needs. Depending on your cats prognosis and any other health concerns that may be present, some non-prescription foods may not be recommended.
Wysong Optimal Geriatryx Food
Our Top Pick for the Best Kidney Support Cat Food for Senior Cats: Older cats have a higher risk for developing kidney problems, so if youre looking for the best cat food to prevent kidney disease, consider this Wysong Optimal Geriatryx Dry Food. This recipe is uniquely formulated for senior cats and features premium animal proteins, digestible carbohydrates, and fresh fruits and vegetables. It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and is supplemented with enzymes and probiotics to ensure healthy digestion. This recipe features chicken and turkey as the primary proteins with whole-grain carbohydrates for maximum digestibility. All in all, this is a great recipe for any older cat, regardless of kidney disease.
- Pros: Formulated for senior cats, real animal proteins, whole-grain carbohydrates for digestibility. Rich in omega fatty acids, dried fruits and veggies, supplemented with enzymes and probiotics
- Cons: Not specifically designed for kidney support, expensive to feed as a staple diet
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Kidney Diets For Cats: What To Look For
Kidney disease is extremely common in cats. It can develop quickly, because of something like an infection or exposure to antifreeze, or over many years for no apparent reason. Symptoms and treatment for kidney disease vary depending the specifics of the case, but oftentimes, a diet change can help.
How Do We Make Our Recommendations
Your cat has unique nutritional needs different from a dog or another animals. Cats are obligate carnivores which means that they have a biological requirement for a high-protein diet. In the wild, cats only consume plant matter in the stomach contents of their prey. Based on the natural diet of cats, we only recommend cat foods that contain real animal proteins and healthy fats with limited carbohydrate content. We look for a high-quality animal protein as the first ingredient and never recommend products that are too carbohydrate-heavy. Complete and balanced nutrition is essential as well, so we also look for recipes fortified with essential vitamins and minerals.
Here are some of the requirements for a cat food to receive our recommendation:
- A source of high-quality animal protein as the first ingredient
- A minimum of 9% crude fat for kittens and adults
- A balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, primarily from animal sources
- A rich blend of nutrients from natural sources and supplements, as needed
- Limited carbohydrate content from digestible sources
- No low-quality fillers, by-products, or artificial additives
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Best Prescription Wet Food
This means that consuming foods containing lots of carbs and fillersor foods particularly dense in proteins and other traditionally desirable nutrientsmay have a negative effect on their health. This can lead to decreased appetite and loss of muscle mass, among other problems.
As a result, cats with kidney disease , need a clean, carefully restricted diet, using prescription wet food formulas such as this one from Hills. This recipe keeps things simple, with low amounts of clean protein from pork, liver, and chicken, with an extremely high moisture content to promote digestion. Its made specifically to include low levels of phosphorus and sodium, and high amounts of Omega-3 and amino acids, the building blocks of protein.
Commercial Cat Food For Kidney Disease
There are dozens of option you can find out there but I am going to take some time to focus on some of my favorite. The ones I feed my boy with has Chronic Kidney Disease.
Weruva OMG, STEW, and PLAY Food
I am so thankful these guys came out with such a wide variety of options that is actually okay for my cat to have. He went from eating anything to being fussy when it came to textures. For our snowshoe cat we have to stick to gravy and stews, a pate is out of the question. The more liquid, the more he loves. Just to be the high maintenance feline he is, he also makes us cut up the food bites if the chunks get too big.
Here are some non fish options from Weruva to check out. For full Weruva Nutritional Information they list on their website here. Or you can read our full list of Best Weruva Low Phosphorus Cat Food. Below we have a small sample of the low phosphorous options in their gravy line of food.
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Wet Cat Food Benefits
In addition to the high protein content, wet cat food also has other benefits for feline health and wellness.
Cats frequently suffer from bladder and kidney disease, says Carroll. The extra moisture found in wet food can help maintain bladder and kidney health.
Garner adds that wet food can also be beneficial to weaning kittens. Wet cat food can be useful for helping kittens transition from a liquid to a solid diet, she says. As kittens still dont have their permanent teeth until they are around a year old, wet food is much easier for them to chew than kibble.
Because of its softness, wet cat food may also benefit senior cats with dental problems or missing teeth.
Additionally, wet cat food tends to be more pungent and flavorful than dry kibble. So its often used to help cats eat when they are sick or picky about their food.
The Best Cat Food For Kidney Disease In 2022
Our pets are not immune to illness and this includes chronic and acute diseases that require a change in diet. The kidneys are precious organs that filter out toxins from the body. Unfortunately, they are also prone to diseases and chronic illnesses that are irreversible in nature. Nevertheless, improving the quality of life for cats who suffer from kidney disease is possible thanks to specially formulated diets that were created to meet their different dietary needs. These diets are made with less sodium and protein and contain ingredients that are beneficial to these versatile organs. If your beloved cat suffers from this disease, then a change of diet is in order. Our guide below showcases the best cat food for kidney disease including dry and canned options so you can choose the right formula for your feline companion.
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Taste Of The Wild Rocky Mountain Grain
Most Popular Cat Food for Kidney Disease: Choosing a brand of cat food can be difficult, especially since there are so many options to choose from. If youre not sure where to start, you can always go with a popular brand like Taste of the Wild. This brand is known for using premium animal proteins that are loaded with natural flavor in recipes that are complete and balanced. This Rocky Mountain recipe is a canned food which means higher moisture content and improved palatability for your cat. It contains real animal proteins like salmon, chicken, and roasted venison with high-quality natural ingredients like peas, tomatoes, and blueberries. This recipe contains a blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as well for healthy skin and coat as well as anti-inflammatory benefits. Overall, it is rich in nutrition, natural flavor, and moisture.
- Pros: Real animal proteins, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality natural ingredients, complete and balanced, rich in moisture and natural flavor, chelated mineral supplements
- Cons: May be too high in fiber or starch for some cats
Symptoms Of Kidney Disease In Cats
Clinical signs are often related to the severity of the kidney disease and underlying cause. Most cats will exhibit symptoms including:
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Increased thirst and urination
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Urinary accidents, incontinence, or inability to urinate
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Lower back pain
Some cats may show muscle-wasting and signs attributed to high blood pressure, such as vision loss and weakness.
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What Is Chronic Kidney Disease
The kidneys have many important jobs within the body. They filter waste products from the blood, produce urine, produce some hormones, and they also play a role in maintaining fluid balance, electrolytes, pH, and blood pressure. In chronic kidney disease there is an irreversible loss of kidney function over a period of time. This can be caused by cystic disease, infection, inflammation, toxins, tumours, or more commonly the cause can be unknown. CKD can happen at any age but usually occurs over the age of 7 years.
Meow Mix Tender Centers Salmon & White Meat Chicken
The Meow Mix Tender Centers Salmon and White Meat Chicken Dry Cat Food is another great choice if youre looking for the best option for your feline friend.
Even picky eaters savor the delicious flavor of this pet food, thanks to its white meat chicken and salmon flavor. It also contains wheat and ground corn as fillers plus essential vitamins and minerals for optimum health.
This dry cat food with 12% max moisture content is crunchy on the outside but soft and tender on the inside a feature that your adult or senior cats will surely appreciate.
Specifications:
- Caloric Content: 3,530 kcal/kg, 328 kcal/cup
- Crude Protein Content: 31% min
Pros:
- Ideal for indoor cats with no teeth because it is easy to chew.
- Formula includes real chicken as the main protein source for lean and strong muscles.
- A grain-free soft adult dry cat food.
- Features LifeSource Bits, which contains antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals for a healthy immune system
- Does not use artificial flavors or corn, soy, wheat, and meat by-products.
- Contains omega fatty acids for healthy skin and a shiny coat.
- Available in three sizes: 2-lb bag, 5-lb bag, and 11-lb bag
Cons:
- Tends to dry up quickly and get hard after opening the bag.
- Formula is not suitable for diabetic cats since it has about 29% carbohydrate content.
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American Journey Minced Chicken & Salmon Recipe Canned Cat Food
Though not specifically designed for kidney support, this American Journey Minced Chicken & Salmon Recipe Canned Cat Food is an affordable option in cat food that offers moderate protein content and an ideal balance of omega fatty acids. It features fresh chicken as the primary ingredient with grain-free carbohydrates for digestibility. It is rich in natural sources of key nutrients such as fresh fruits and vegetables, plus it is supplemented with chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption. This is also a canned food recipe which means that it is higher in moisture content and, because it has a thick gravy, it will be highly palatable for cats who need to gain weight.
- Pros: Affordable recipe, high in moisture content, moderate protein, real food ingredients, fresh fruits and vegetables, blend of omega fatty acids, chelated mineral supplements
- Cons: Not specifically designed for kidney support, some cats are sensitive to chicken ingredients
Supporting Your Cat’s Kidney Health
Your cats kidneys are essential in supporting their overall health by filtering and recycling resources for the body. However, sometimes the kidneys may begin to fail, resulting in chronic kidney disease . The signs are difficult to spot, however as we’ll explain, if veterinarian support and advice is sought early, you can help your cat have a good quality of life.
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Daves Pet Food Restricted Diet Protein & Phosphorus Chicken Formula
Our Top Pick for the Best Grain-Free Cat Food for Kidney Disease: If you want your cat to have the benefit of low phosphorus cat food for kidney disease but you dont want to deal with the hassle of refilling a prescription, Daves Pet Food Restricted Diet Protein & Phosphorus Chicken Formula is a great option. This recipe features controlled levels of protein, phosphorus, and sodium to provide optimal kidney support without the use of by-products and additives. This recipe contains fresh chicken as the first ingredient, and it is completely free from grains and gluten. It is highly digestible and contains beneficial supplements like vitamins and chelated minerals to ensure optimal nutrient absorption. All in all, it is a great choice for kidney support.
- Pros: Controlled levels of protein and phosphorus, real chicken as main ingredient, grain-free carbohydrates, beneficial supplements like chelated minerals, nutritionally balanced
- Cons: Somewhat expensive compared to other recipes, contains plant protein
Hills Science Diet Tender Tuna Dinner
While not marketed as therapeutic food for cats with renal issues, this food from Hills Science Diet does have relatively low phosphorus . Consult with your veterinarian to see if they think this is appropriate for your cat. No prescription needed.
Hills Science Diet Tender Tuna Dinner
You can limit phosphorus while still giving your kitty a delicious tuna dinner.
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A Quick Overview Of Kidney Disease In Cats
Before talking about nutritional management of kidney disease in cats, there are a few details you need to know about this condition.
There are several different forms of kidney disease in cats, but chronic kidney disease is the most common.
The kidneys filter waste products out of the bloodstream but when they stop working properly, those waste products begin to accumulate. Common symptoms of CKD include lethargy, poor coat quality, weight loss, and loss of appetite.
Another form of kidney disease in cats is polycystic kidney disease . This is an inherited condition that causes fluid-filled sacs called cysts to grow in the kidneys. At birth, these cysts are small enough that they dont cause issues, but they will eventually grow in size and number, doing more and more damage to the cats kidneys. Eventually, as kidney function declines, the cat can go into kidney failure.
For more in-depth information about PKD, check out our in-depth article.
According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, the diagnosis of kidney disease typically involves blood tests and urinalysis to evaluate kidney function. These tests measure the concentration of waste products in your cats blood as well as other factors that indicate abnormal kidney function.
Unfortunately, there is no definitive cure for the various forms of kidney disease.
Can You Substitute Any Of The Supplements In This Recipe
Dr. Wall hails from Australia and thus has chosen to use supplements readily available in that country. While you can find Thorne, NOW Foods, and Country Life supplements online directly from the brand, a significant number of them are available on Amazon as well.
Wall notes that while the initial investment in the recommended supplements may be high, theyll last you through many batches. Dr. Wall cautions her readers against using any supplements other than the ones listed, but you might be able to find similar options if you cant find the right product in stock.
None of the alternative supplements I found were a perfect match for the supplements Dr. Wall suggests, but here are a few options that come close.
2000+
- This product is available on Amazon but because it contains only vitamin E oil there are plenty of alternatives. When shopping, however, you should be careful to choose a pure, undiluted vitamin E oil like Cocojojo 100% Pure & Undiluted Full-Spectrum Vitamin E Oil. The dosing may be tricky, however.
- The NOW Formula requires just 2 drops, or about 63 IU . The Cocojojo formula comes in an 8-ounce versus 1-ounce bottle and, at 75,000 IU per bottle, averages about 13 IU vitamin E per drop. Youd need about 5 drops of the Cocojojo formula.
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The Basics: Dry Cat Food Wet Cat Food And Semi
There are two main types of cat food: dry cat food or kibble and canned or wet cat food. Knowing the differences between these types will help you determine whats best for your cat. How does this type of food stand vs wet cat food or kibbles?
Dry cat food, otherwise known as kibble, is crunchy and hard because it contains approximately 10% water and 90% dry matter. Among the cat food types, dry food is more popular because many cats prefer it, plus its convenient, easy to feed and store, and less expensive.
On the other hand, canned or wet cat food is soft and moist as it contains about 70% water. Because of its high water content, some cats find these foods more palatable.
However, note that wet cat food is generally more expensive than most kibble. It may also lead to periodontal disease in some cats.