I just recently lost a cat to kidney disease. I did what the vet recommended, gave him the low protein prescription food, and he hated it. He ended up losing so much weight that I ended up giving him whatever food he wanted. I have a tad bit of remorse for trying to get him to eat that expensive food. I could afford it - money wasn't the issue. But he didn't like it and picked at it. Frankly, I think trying to get him to eat food that he didn't like contributed to his wasting away. They make several brands of the prescription kidney food, and my cat didn't like any of them.

Are you open to a raw diet? Feline Instincts makes a supplement to add to raw meat that supports kidney function. I'm not feeding raw at the moment (purely for my convenience) but are contemplating starting again. Feline Instincts has many good reviews for their Kidney support diet.

Yes OP Im afraid that low protein is rather outdated thinking- per my vet the biggest factor is the dry food diet + not enough water - cats being desert animals evolved to get their water needs from their prey so they don't go seeking out water as much as they should. This is also big factor in urinary tract INFLAMMATION (its usually not infection per my vet) so healthwise cat will do better in many ways with non dry food diet.

Don't know why some vets are so stuck in their ways and wont keep up with new information - can be perfectly good vets for routine stuff but for chronic things its quite OK to get second opinions or have a second vet. Not that you need vet approval for a diet change but that's if you want to be working with someone on this. If its at beginning stages its very likely youll turn it around or it least keep it from progressing.

My vet is having me radically increase my 2 guys water intake - feed only soupy canned wet food thinned with water. unfortunately I have dry food junkies so Im having to work up to it - Ive got them down to only a few crunchies at night before bed....

They are drinking a lot more now thanks to the new drinking fountain so Im not terribly worried about the few crunchies they still get. Cats instinctively prefer moving water to stale old pools of water which in the wild could be tainted (remember our kitties have only been recently semi-domesticated and still have a bit of the wild in them).

glaser - thx for link Ive been researching raw food bc I think my one cat who most resists eating his canned food would go for fresh better quality meat - hes the one who lives to hunt and eat rabbits.... and there aren't any in his outdoor enclosure anymore :-(

Oh gosh Sephia, so sorry to hear about loss of your kitty & I wish you peace... I know from experience how terribly difficult the chronic conditions can be, and having to sort thru all the info, often conflicting (had a kitty with feline diabetes - similar thing where diet could have played into it) Best, Cathy in WI

I feed Purina Forti Flora on expensive cans of food he doesn't like. He loves the FF! I also purchased a pet fountain. He drinks loads when DH & I brush our teeth, since it sits on the vanity counter. He also thinks any air bubbles are a play toy and drinks even more.

On the plus side, my kitty LOOOOOVes wet food so going to a full wet food diet was easy. He is eating well. He actually really likes the Hill's kidney diet stews. I tried Rachel Ray's Nutrish with mixed reviews from him. Is there anything I should be paying particular attention to when trying new foods (no grains? Phosphorus? etc.)? Something available retail, not too pricey...recommendations to try would be great. We've been doing wet food for a few weeks and I do notice his coat looks much better, not as dry. I will also look at fountains and see if that is workable. We're between houses right now and staying with relatives so things I'll be able to do once our new house is done are a little tough right now.

Thanks so much for the responses.

My fur baby....

I was told that low phosphorus foods are better. I researched it, but I'm sorry, I don't recall the reason why a low phosphorous diet is good for a renal kitty.

Phosphorus is indirectly harmful to the kidneys and can promote a worsening of the renal function, as well as make the patient feel crappy... so diets lower in phosphorus (easier said than done, though) are definitely recommended... there are additives that can help decrease ingested phosphorous you can give with each meal to keep phosphorous levels down, as well. Low protein is indeed no longer recommended, though it has historically helped many cats live longer, but it turns out lower protein diets are almost always lower in phosphorous, too, and that was why they helped the kitties.. .but as someone already mentioned, those kitties also did tend to lose more weight and waste away some.

Canned is recommended over dry for more obvious reasons (more water... the relatively elevated protein levels though also may help, at least relative to the higher carbohydrate levels all dry foods have).

We had a kitty with the same issue. I went the all wet food, low phosphorus route. I relied on these food charts: Phosphorus Info.

Thanks so much for all the info. I did find a few charts with phosphorus levels including the one mentioned. The problem is that they are old and there are a lot of newer foods available that I'm unable to find info on. In particular, there are quite a few grain free options on shelves now that aren't listed in any of the charts. I tried to get the Friskies varieties that were listed but either they are no longer made or the names have changed. (just wanted to pick something up until I can get to a pet store with more variety and someone can maybe help me find a low phosphorus grain free option). So now I'm searching for a more recent listing....

One of my cats had recurrent problems with cystitis. The dry special diet food I bought from the vet made it worse. I was already feeding mostly raw; lived near enough to a chicken factory to get bargains. Never any more issues with cystitis. I have five cats and each and the dog gets a piece of raw chicken every day. Evening feed I mix a tin of cat food( a variety and whatever is on offer as I live on a small pension) with warm water and some kibble. Interestingly the cat who was prone to cystitis laps the gravy immediately. I lost a beloved cat to kidney failure years ago and like others here when she hated special food preferred that she ate what she loved. Then the emphasis was on low protein ( Scotland years ago) They said to oil rice with eg liver then give her the rice only...

This brings back memories for me, including the Tanya site. Our kitty was diagnosed years ago, of course has since died. We administered fluids under the skin at home. Getting her to eat anything was a struggle. The vet gave us a pill (Cipro?) which did make her eat.

Best wishes, Lorraine, to you and kitty.

My cat lived 7 years with kidney disease. I took prescription to PetSmart to buy food but you may want to look at Hills Science diet senior canned food & compare ingredients; I fed Snow that also. He also went in for iv fluids after about 4 or 5 years 2 to 3 times per week & had a recurrent bladder infection that the vet & I could not get cleared up so he was on antibotics & pepcid for 2 weeks & off two weeks to keep it at an acceptable level. Snow was 18 when he passed.

My cat has kidney disease early stages for the past year-and-a-half the best food to give them is Forza 1 made in Italy for renal and you give them the kidney and bladder support that comes in a bottle for about 1499 you can find it on chewy or your local health store I get it at go Healthy Pet in Wilton Manors Florida the cat loves it it's great for their kidneys and also I give him a probiotic and an immune support powder do the best you can you can get it all at these natural cat food places or you can order it from go Healthy Pet.

You call there ask for Mary Jo and tell her that the guy with the cat mojito sent you there and she will give you great advice with kidney and renal issues

I know these are pretty old, but thought I would add some info on what worked for my cat who kept getting severe kidney infections. To the point of constant seizures. Get rid of an infection, and he got another within a month or so. Vet just kept giving him antibiotics. Did send me home with dry prescription kibble he would not eat. Went thru this for 2 years. I started feeding him canned food, Iams, for kidney issues. I added equal amount of water. He loved that, and almost immediately started improving. Has not had kidney issue in over 8 months. Might not work for every cat, but does for him. He will only eat less than a can a day, I would feed him more but I guess he gets tired of the same thing. Or too much liquid for him.

My kitty has passed. Perhaps the info will help someone else.

That breaks my heart. A kidney diet is high in vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids while being low in phosphorus and protein. It is critical to gradually introduce new foods to your cat.