royal canin kidney diet for cats
Your Guide to Renal Food for Cats With Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a persistent health issue that is thought to affect between 30-40% of cats over the age of ten.1 Although theres no cure for CKD, in some cases tailored nutrition can help support cats by restricting and supplementing certain nutrients to help promote renal health.
In this article, we look at key nutrients that are important when managing CKD, how they work and what you can do to encourage your cat to eat if theyre suffering from CKD.
What is Chronic Kidney Disease?
Inside your cats kidneys are thousands of tiny filters called nephrons that work to remove toxins from the bloodstream and recycle beneficial substances like amino acids and minerals.CKD is triggered by a loss of nephron function, possibly due to a disease, an injury, or an inherited condition. Without sufficient nephron function, important substances are lost and toxins and wastes that are normally eliminated begin to accumulate in the bloodstream, which can damage kidney tissue, cause clinical signs and create progressive injury to the kidney.
How Can I Spot the Signs of Kidney Disease?
Signs of kidney disease can include weight loss, increased thirst and urinating more frequently.Unfortunately, these signs are usually not clearly visible until a significant amount of kidney function has been lost.The early signs of CKD are subtle and the best way to monitor for the disease is to maintain regular veterinary check-ups. Some veterinarians can screen for the condition using a new predictive tool called RenalTech(TM).You can find out more in our two articles: Chronic Kidney Disease in Catsand The Signs of Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats.
Why Are There Specific Diets for Cats With Kidney Disease?
Nutritional management has long been a therapy of choice for cats affected with CKD. A tailored renal diet not only helps to slow the progression of the condition but can also lessen some of the diseases effects.2 It does this by:
Feline Renal Support Early Consult
Ingredients: Corn, brewers rice, wheat gluten, corn gluten meal, wheat, chicken by-product meal, pea fiber, chicken fat, natural flavors, fish oil, dried chicory root, vegetable oil, dried tomato pomace, calcium sulfate, sodium pyrophosphate, potassium chloride, powdered psyllium seed husk, calcium carbonate, DL-methionine, L-lysine, fructooligosaccharides, potassium citrate, New Zealand Green Mussel, salt, choline chloride, taurine, vitamins [DL-alpha tocopherol acetate (source of vitamin E), L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), niacin supplement, biotin, riboflavin supplement, D-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin A acetate, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid, vitamin D3 supplement], hydrolyzed yeast, L-tryptophan, lecithin, glucosamine hydrochloride, trace minerals [zinc proteinate, zinc oxide, ferrous sulfate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, copper sulfate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite, copper proteinate], L-tyrosine, marigold extract (Tagetes erecta L.), chondroitin sulfate, L-carnitine, rosemary extract, preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid.
Feline Renal Support + Hydrolyzed Protein
Ingredients: Brewers rice, hydrolized soy protein, chicken fat, dried chicory root, natural flavors, powdered cellulose, vegetable oil, fish oil, calcium carbonate, potassium chloride, fructooligosaccharides, sodium pyrophosphate, calcium sulfate, sodium silico aluminate, DL-methionine, choline chloride, taurine, vitamins [DL-alpha tocopherol acetate (source of vitamin E), niacin supplement, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), D-calcium pantothenate, biotin, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), riboflavin supplement, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), vitamin A acetate, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid], trace minerals [zinc proteinate, zinc oxide, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, copper sulfate, ferrous sulfate, sodium selenite, copper proteinate, calcium iodate], GLA safflower oil, marigold extract (Tagetes erecta L.), rosemary extract, preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid.
Stay Curious to Detect Renal Disease Before it Happens
SATISFY YOUR CAT OWNER'S CURIOSITY WITH KNOWLEDGE
Optimum renal health begins at home
Just like cats, there are many different types of cat owners. Some don't really understand medical jargon but are willing to learn and follow your treatment recommendations, while others thanks to the internet, know their nephrons from their neoplasia. But what they have in common is curiosity. Common questions include:
- What is CKD?
- How did my cat get it?
- Why do I need to feed a special diet?
- My cat has CKD. How can I get her to eat?
We know you're busy with exam rooms full of patients and cant always answer all their questions. Take Advantage of the ROYAL CANIN RENAL SUPPORT Owners Booklet. Simply download this digital nutritional guidance tool and print or share with your CKD cat owners. It may help satisfy their curiosity about CKD.
