Pet Q&A: Kidney disease and a special diet

Q.  My cat was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and her veterinarian recommended a special diet. How will this food help her?

Chronic kidney disease is common especially in older cats and dogs. Nutrition is an important part of the management of your cat’s condition.  Clinical trials show pets with kidney disease eating specialized kidney friendly diets feel better and live longer than pets eating regular maintenance foods. When the kidneys don’t function properly, phosphorus builds up in the blood stream and can cause further damage to the kidneys. So these specialized foods available by prescription you’re your veterinarian are restricted in dietary phosphorus.  They are also often supplemented with extra potassium, B vitamins, and fish oil for overall patient and kidney health. Animal protein is relatively high in phosphorus compared to other ingredients so, you will notice these foods often contain less meat and are lower in protein compared to over the counter pet foods. The lower protein may also help the pet with kidney disease feel better because when the body processes protein, the waste products of metabolism normally secreted by healthy kidneys builds up in blood stream and can make the cat feel ill. These foods are formulated to still provide enough protein to meet the cat’s needs as long as the pet eats the recommended amount. If your cat doesn’t like the first diet your veterinarian prescribes, ask to try another since there are currently over a dozen specialized foods for this condition that come in different flavors and textures.  Before introducing the new food, make sure you cat is feeling well. Your veterinarian will want to make sure she is well hydrated and not feeling nauseous. Then slowly introduce the new kidney friendly food. It’s OK if it takes several weeks to get her to switch over but monitor her weight to make sure she’s eating enough during and after the transition. You veterinarian can give you other tips to help with the transition to this new food.

-- Laura Eirmann, DVM, Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Nutrition, Oradell Animal Hospital