Receiving the news that your beloved cat has kidney disease can be devastating. However, with proper care, medications, and food, the disease can be managed, and, depending on the stage of the disease,  your cat may still have many years of life ahead. That said, the food that you give your cat is of utmost importance if you want to keep them healthy and comfortable.

The following list of reviews of the best foods for cats diagnosed with kidney disease will hopefully lead you to a food that your cat will appreciate and that will keep them in good health. As always, please consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your cat’s diet. Each cat will have different ideal nutrition, so there is no one size fits all answer.

The Right Things to Look For

Here’s essential information about selecting a cat food for a feline with kidney disease.

1. Prescription Food

Most of the foods formulated for cats with kidney disease are available only by prescription. Your vet will recommend the best brand for your cat, as it needs the appropriate balance of nutrition to support their kidneys. They will provide you with a prescription that you can show to the store, whether online or brick-and-mortar.

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2. High Prices

Prescription food, or special diet food, is notoriously expensive! You can try coupon clipping or look for sales, but taking care of a cat with kidney disease can still be pricey. Ask your vet for advice about the less expensive foods available that can still support your cat’s health but remember, diet is the mainstay treatment for chronic kidney disease in cats.

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3. Small Size

Cats with kidney disease are known to be famously picky, so when you are introducing your cat to a new food, aim to purchase the smallest/cheapest size possible. Even if buying a large size technically saves you money, it can end up being more expensive in the long run if your cat decides that they do not like the food. You can also ask about money-back guarantees that some foods may have.

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5. Nutrition

If your cat has kidney disease, you can help improve their kidney health by feeding them a diet low in phosphorus. There is usually a build up of phosphorus in their blood over time as their kidneys fail to excrete as much as they should, which makes them feel unwell. However, not all cats will need phosphorus restriction to the same extent, so ask your veterinarian how important this aspect is for your cat.

Usually, diets for cats with chronic kidney disease have reduced levels of protein and increased levels of potassium, fatty acids, and B vitamins. That these foods need to be so specialized helps explain why they are more expensive. Again, not all cats will need protein restriction to the same extent, so talk to your vet about how much protein to provide your cat with.

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6. Palatability

Many cat owners struggle with the fact that their cat’s simply don’t like the very diet that could prolong their life. Look for diets that come in flavors your cat already enjoys. Some even feature appetite stimulants to help your cat eat better. Since it’s so important that your cat accepts a kidney diet, we recommend a very gradual introduction to the new food over 3-4 weeks. Some cats will need an even slower transition to accept the new food. If your cat eats  much less, or loses body condition when feeding the new diet, have them reevaluated by their vet.

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7. Senior Cats

Most cats with kidney disease are seniors, which is why there are specialized prescription diets available that can help support the common health issues in senior cats. It’s crucial that your senior feline still gets a diet rich in fatty acids to deal with any potential inflammatory issues like arthritis. However, that does not mean senior diets are necessarily appropriate for your cat with kidney disease, unless your veterinarian says so.

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8. Water Fountain

Other than offering the appropriate diet, ensuring that your cat is drinking enough water is paramount to your cat’s health. Cat’s compensate for kidney disease by drinking more water, if they don’t drink enough, they can become very unwell, or decompensate.

Giving your cat wet food is one way to increase their hydration, and having a water fountain can also be beneficial, as cats enjoy running water.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 8 Foods for Cats With Kidney Disease

1. Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care With Chicken Dry Cat Food — Best Overall

The Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care With Chicken Dry Cat Food is the best overall cat food for cats with kidney disease. Vets and nutritionists developed this food to help owners effectively manage their cats’ chronic kidney disease. It’s available in chicken and ocean fish flavors and contains a blend of prebiotics that promote a healthy gut and protect kidney function.

It’s also designed to stimulate your cat’s appetite and contains high levels of L-carnitine and essential amino acids. However, it’s worth noting that this food can be quite expensive, and more discerning cats may not take to it.

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2. Forza10 Nutraceutic Actiwet Renal Support Wet Cat Food — Best Value

Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care With Chicken Dry Cat Food is the best food for cats with kidney disease for the money. It doesn’t require a prescription, but we still recommend speaking to your vet before purchasing it for your cat.

This food contains low levels of phosphorus and protein, which is generally recommended for cats with kidney disease. It also contains dandelion and cranberry for urinary tract health.

Even though this food is less expensive than most other options, it can still be pricey. Also, some cats might not find it appealing.

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3. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Renal Support D Thin Slices in Gravy Canned Cat Food — Premium Choice

Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care With Chicken Dry Cat Food is our premium choice. This canned food is designed to stimulate a cat’s appetite with its gravy-soaked morsels. It has the right balance of nutrients for cats with kidney disease, including low phosphorus and protein, fatty acids, and a balance of antioxidants.

The “D” in the name of this food stands for “Delectable,” which implies that it is a tasty treat for cats. Unfortunately, it is expensive, and the morsels are a bit hard to mash into smaller bits for cats that need it.

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4. Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care Chicken & Vegetable Stew Wet Cat Food

Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care With Chicken Dry Cat Food is offered in two flavors: chicken and vegetable and tuna and vegetable stew. It contains a special blend of prebiotics that promotes healthy bacteria in the gut and protects the kidneys.

Additionally, it is enriched with high levels of L-carnitine and amino acids, which aid in building muscles. If your cat likes to eat morsels in gravy, this would be an excellent choice for them!

However, it’s worth noting that this food is quite costly, and picky eaters might not like it.

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5. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Renal Support S Dry Cat Food

Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care With Chicken Dry Cat Food has been formulated to support the kidneys of adult cats. It contains antioxidants, fatty acids, and low phosphorus, which are beneficial for maintaining kidney health. The food is also energy dense, which can help cats with kidney damage that may have a reduced appetite.

Additionally, the scent and kibble shape are designed to stimulate the cat’s appetite. Still, it’s expensive, and finicky cats turn up their noses at it.

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6. Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet K+M Kidney + Mobility Support Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet K+M Kidney + Mobility Support Grain-Free Dry Cat Food has low levels of phosphorus and contains glucosamine, chondroitin, and DHA for your older cat’s joint health.

The main ingredient is deboned chicken, and this food is grain free if your cat is sensitive to grains. The biggest issue is that this food contains three sources of peas, which might upset some cats’ stomachs.

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7. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function Early Care Dry Cat Food

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function Early Care Dry Cat Food is specifically designed for cats diagnosed with early-stage kidney disease. Like the others, it contains more protein than other diets on the list for that reason. However, it is low in phosphorus. Veterinarians, nutritionists, and researchers developed the food to ensure that it provides a well-balanced diet for your cat’s unique needs.

It also includes omega-3 fatty acids, EPA, DHA, and antioxidants that promote healthy joints and overall health. But the main ingredient is corn gluten meal and we would prefer a protein, and picky cats might not like it.

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8. Weruva Wx Phos Focused Chicken & Tilapia Formula in Gravy Grain-Free Wet Cat Food

Weruva Wx Phos Focused Chicken & Tilapia Formula in Gravy Grain-Free Wet Cat Food is a great option for cats that require low levels of phosphorus in their diet. Although it doesn’t require a prescription, it is still recommended to check with your vet before feeding it to your cat.

This food is made without any artificial ingredients or fillers. It contains bioavailable protein that is easily absorbed in the body, which helps with digestion and amino acid absorption.

However, the price of this cat food may be a concern, and some cats may experience stomach upset after consuming it.

Conclusion

Hill’s k/d Kidney Care Dry Cat Food is the best overall food for cats with kidney disease. It’s been formulated by veterinarians and nutritionists to manage a cat’s chronic kidney disease and does so effectively! We also liked Forza10’s Nutraceutic Actiwet Renal Support Wet Cat Food because it’s low in phosphorus and doesn’t require a prescription. Finally, Royal Canin’s Veterinary Diet Adult Renal Support Canned Cat Food is our premium choice for its balance of nutrients and a formula that stimulates your cat’s appetite.

We hope that these reviews have helped you choose the right cat food to keep your pet feeling strong and healthy for as long as possible.

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Featured Image Credit: Lightspruch, Shutterstock