What Is Different About Prescription Cat Food
According to Becker, the only things available are drugs and no medicine. Since by prescription means youve to get it from your veterinarian, this applies to prescriptions as well. On the other hand, the pet food that contains different items contains, on average, little difference from regular pet food.
Blue Natural Veterinary Diet K+m Kidney + Mobility Support Dry Cat Food
- Made with chicken flavor
- 7 lbs of dry cat food
Supplements for cats with kidney disease are a major concern, and this food gives such exact proteins in a good ratio. In addition, Blue Buffalos food keeps cats at home healthy with a good immune system. Blue Buffalo urinary cat food arrives in a pack of 7 lbs and serves us for a long time. If at all your pet love the flavor of food, do not miss getting this big bag as it will not go to waste. Basic flavor which we observed on its label is chicken. This, as we have noticed, is the most suitable taste for all cats, generally. While choosing a kidney diet for cats, one should take utmost care as kidneys should function properly to keep a cat active and healthy throughout the day.
Levels of phosphorus and sodium present in Blue Buffalos diet in a controlled manner will give good renal health for all furry mates. Taste included in the pack will indeed grab the attention of all felines, making them lick their lips, eager to consume it anytime and anywhere. Eagerness all felines showed in eating this food proved to us that they love its flavor and taste. We also found that the diet included is wholesome and natural, much to our delight. Besides, customers are happy to express their content as their pussies mobility increased with sufficient levels of energy to roam around their houses.
Why Would You Go For A K/d Cat Food Alternative
While Hills Prescription Diet k/d cat food is among the most popular options for kidney care in the market, there are many alternatives as well.
This includes brands like Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets, Forza10 kidney care line, Royal Canin Feline Renal Support F, and Blue Buffalos Natural Veterinary Diet Kidney+Mobility support.
Besides going for convenience or personal preferences, there are many reasons that drive you to go for the k/d alternative, lets have a look at some of these reasons.
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Hills Prescription Diet K/d Kidney Care With Chicken Canned Cat Food Review
First 5 Ingredients: Water, Pork Liver, Chicken, Egg Product, Brewers Rice
This prescription diet from Hills is formulated and clinically tested to improve and lengthen the quality of life among cats with kidney disease. The food is made to stimulate appetite and increase caloric intake.
Customer reviews suggest that this is true. The food has a 4.2 out of 5 star rating on Chewy and 86% of customers say theyd recommend it to a friend.
It has controlled phosphorus levels at 0.49% on a dry matter basis. It is 30% protein on a dry matter basis, along with added omega-3 fatty acids and therapeutic levels of l-carnitine, an amino acid that is often depleted in renal disease patients. Buy It
Pros
Nomnomnow Fresh Food Delivery
Our Top Pick for the Best Cat Food for Kidney Disease Overall: If you want the best of the best for your cat, fresh food might be it. NomNomNow fresh pet food is made with only the highest quality natural ingredients and is completely free from artificial additives and preservatives. It contains real animal proteins like chicken and fish, and you can adjust the protein level according to your cats needs by working with a company representative. Compared to dry food, fresh food is much higher in moisture which is important for your cats kidney health. This food is also very high in nutrition to help your cat regain his health.
- Pros: Prepared fresh and delivered to your door, customizable nutrition, chicken or fish recipes, very rich in moisture, fresh whole-food ingredients, no artificial additives
- Cons: Expensive to feed as a staple diet, only two recipes to choose from
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Hill’s Prescription Diet K/d Kidney Care With Chicken Dry Cat Food
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Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Nf Kidney Function Advanced Care Formula Canned Cat Food Review
First 5 Ingredients: Water Sufficient For Processing, Beef, Poultry By-Products, Rice, Meat By-Products
This veterinary diet from Purina is formulated with low phosphorus, controlled levels of protein, and is relatively calorie-dense to support a healthy weight. It contains fish oil as a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids, reduced sodium to reduce kidney burden, and added B-vitamins.
According to customer reviews, the pate-style formula is palatable and appetizing for sick cats.
On a dry matter basis, the formula is approximately 0.49% phosphorus and 34% protein. Buy It
Pros
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About Hill’s Prescription Diet
Hill’s mission is to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pet. Their Prescription Diet product line delivers clinically proven nutrition that supports common pet health concerns, from digestive and urinary health to aging and weight management.
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85% of reviewersrecommend this product
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Provides Precisely Balanced Diet
Once Only
Hills Prescription Diet Feline k/d Kidney Care Chicken Pouches Wet Cat Food Is Nutritious And Clinically Proven To Improve Kidney Health
It is recommended that a veterinarian’s opinion be sought before and during the use of this product in order to determine the needs of your cat
- Prescribed by veterinarians for the nutritional support of cats with renal problems
- Premium quality protein of precise levels to assist in the reduction of kidney workload and decrease the recurrence of urate and cystine uroliths
- Promotes optimal energy levels from non-protein sources
- Vital amino acids help your cat build strong, lean muscle
- Enhances and lengthens the quality of life of your feline
- Contains controlled levels of phosphorus to support healthy kidney functioning, reduce strain on the kidneys and reduce the chance of kidney disease
- Formulated with low sodium levels to assist in the maintenance of ideal blood pressure levels and regulate clinical signs of fluid retention
- Optimal levels of omega-3 fatty acids support blood flow of the kidneys, reduce kidney inflammation and improve kidney health
- Contains B-complex vitamins to compensate for larger urinary losses
- Essential antioxidants help control cell oxidation, assist in kidney functioning and support a healthy immune system
- Soluble fibre assists in the reduction of ammonia reabsorption and urea levels in the blood
- Highly palatable with a delicious chicken taste
- Soft tender chunks in delectable gravy
Composition
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Kd Cat Food Alternatives
Homemade cat food for kidney disease can be a good alternative to store-bought food. So take a look at some of such alternatives:
- Chopped or ground chicken breast
- Cooked white rice
- Any salt substitute like potassium chloride
- Tablets or capsules with calcium supplements
- Multi-vitamin containing feline
- Phosphate substances
- Water
One can either add those supplements to their pets diet or give them as capsules to keep all kidney ailments at bay. With proper and everyday inclusion, cats will develop a better immune system to fight ailments.
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Nf Kidney Function Advance Care
- 24 cans in one package
- Wet food in cans
This early care category is very important to a cats health since individuals could prevent many diseases without trouble at the bud stage itself. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diet cat food arrives in cans of wet consistency for early care suiting various pets needs. Much-needed nutrients, when added to felines diet, will lead to a development in their immunity towards chronic diseases. All of your cats will get a good dose of feline formula food loaded with correct levels of proteins, sodium, potassium, etc. Even phosphorus added at minimal but required levels promotes kidney health than one can imagine. One must look at a low phosphorus wet cat food chart to choose an ideal amount of dosage of minerals that fulfill a cats health in every aspect.
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Hills Prescription Diet K/d Kidney Care Canned Cat Food
Our Top Pick for the Most Popular Cat Food for Kidney Disease: If youre looking for a prescription diet for kidney health, this Hills Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care Canned Cat Food is a decent option. Though it does contain soy protein isolate, there are no harmful additives or low-quality grains as is the case for many prescription diets. This formula features a low-to-moderate concentration of protein and controlled levels of phosphorus and sodium for kidney support. It features chicken as the main ingredient with supplemental protein from pork and chicken livers as well as soy protein. It also contains beneficial supplements to ensure complete and balanced nutrition.
- Pros: Specifically designed for kidney support, low concentration of protein, controlled phosphorus and sodium levels, complete and nutritionally balanced
- Cons: Contains some soy ingredients, expensive to feed as a staple diet, unnamed fat source
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
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Top 3 K/d Cat Food Alternatives Available On The Market
Weve scoured the market to shortlist the best 3 alternatives that are equally effective and promote kidney health.
It goes without saying that you should consult your cats vet before changing the formula youre feeding to your cat.
Starting the list with one of the best Alternatives to k/d cat food. Purina One is a specialized formula for the health of the urinary tract in adult and senior cats.
The formula of k/d cat is different from regular cat food, as it contains a higher amount of proteins while maintaining a remarkably low level of sodium and potassium in the cats diet.
Similarly, the formula of Purina One also contains high amounts of real beef protein with low potassium and sodium. Also, Purina One is available as both wet canned foods and dry kibbles.
What We Liked
Special dietary cat food is usually pricey, which can be troublesome for cat parents on a budget. However, the ACTIWET cat food formula from Forza10 solves this problem.
The balanced formula is rich in proteins, as its with lamb. However, it has a bit less protein than k/d cat food. Yet, Forza10 is still low in phosphorus and sodium, which can cause a lot of complications.
Unlike many options in the market, we really enjoyed that this one is free of soy products. Its also corn wheat-free, and non-genetically modified.
This means that you can ensure that your cat is enjoying 100% organic products with no colors or preservatives.
What We Liked
Best Cat Food For Kidney Health Buying Guide
Until now, the write-up has been informative on different brands selling cat food to support good kidney health in cats. Readers learnt about low phosphorus and low protein cat food for kidney disease that a feline should consume for better renal health. Detailed descriptions, as mentioned above, have certainly answered most questions about products and their effects on your cats. However, all such information is specific to those brands themselves. Few more questions might linger that might require common answers researched. We will make that job easy for you. Upcoming sections will describe generic questions with apt answers.
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Signs Of Cat Kidney Failure
Common signs of kidney failure in cats may be difficult to detect because of their similarities to other disorders like diabetes and hyperthyroidism. Unfortunately, cat kidney failure is a progressive disease, and symptoms may not be apparent for a long time. If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian.
- Reduced appetite
- Sore mouth or mouth ulcers
- Diarrhea or constipation
What Treats Are Good For Cats With Urinary Tract Problems
In addition to being used for the treatment of urinary tract infections in humans, cranberries can be used on cats as well. A decrease in pH can aid in treating cat UTIs by preventing them from coming back. Cat urine often contains the tartness of cranberries due to their acidity. The sugar content of many cranberry juice varieties is high.
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Its Paramount That Your Cat Eats Something
From Dr. David J. Polzin, DVM, PhD, DACVIMs 11 guidelines for conservatively treating chronic kidney disease:
In many or most dogs and cats with chronic kidney disease, death or euthanasia results directly or indirectly from starvation.
Feeding a cat with kidney disease is an exasperating dance between finding foods your cat will willingly eat and choosing foods that wont tax the kidneys. Your cat may enjoy their prescription food for a few weeks and then reject it. She might only eat a food thats high in phosphorus and refuse everything else.
To increase your chances of success, make dietary changes while your cat still has an appetite. Cats in the later stages of kidney failure might feel too sick to try something new.
If your cat becomes extremely finicky and refuses to eat multiple meals at a time, nutritional rules can go out of the window, at least temporarily. Cats with kidney disease might eat baby food, plain chicken breast, Temptations treats, liver, Fancy Feast, or bonito flakes. All of these are better than nothing.
Common Causes Of Renal Failure In Cats
Kidney failure, also known as renal failure, is one of the most common causes of severe illnesses in cats, especially in older cats. There are two categories of renal failure in cats: acute renal failure and chronic renal failure. Signs of acute renal failure usually manifest over a week or months time, while chronic renal failure is present for a longer period. The risk for cat kidney failure is higher in certain breeds like Persians or Angoras, but the disease is typically acquired.
Potential causes of kidney failure in cats include:
- High blood pressure
- Obstructions such as kidney stones
- Ingestion of toxic substances, such as antifreeze, pesticides, medications and cleaning chemicals
- Advanced dental disease
- Some long-haired breeds have a genetic predisposition to the disease
- Age older than seven years
- A food high in phosphorus or increased levels of protein can increase the diseases progression
- Outdoor cats have a higher risk for acute problems due to their potential increased exposure to toxins
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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
Dietary Recommendations For Cats With Kidney Disease
Once your cat has been diagnosed, its time to start treatment. Follow your veterinarians advice in terms of prescription medication and additional therapies but know that there will be some dietary management involved as well.
When it comes to treating kidney disease, one of your primary concerns is hydration. You need to increase your cats moisture intake to reverse the effects of dehydration and to restore healthy kidney function. Many cats dont like to drink water unless it is fresh, so buying a pet fountain could help encourage your cat to drink more. You can also introduce more wet food into his diet.
Another dietary change you may want to make is switching to a kidney-friendly cat food.
Here are some features often included in cat food for kidney disease:
- Higher moisture content
- Restricted protein
- Controlled phosphorus and sodium content
- Rich in water-soluble vitamins for optimal nutrition
- Supplemented with fiber and antioxidants
As you start shopping for commercial cat food for kidney disease, youll come across some veterinary diets. Be wary of these products because they are often made with highly processed ingredients and low-quality fillers. Just because they are expensive doesnt mean theyre good.
Your best bet is to look for a high-quality cat food designed for kidney support or simply one that meets the following requirements:
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