If your cat has recently been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease or kidney failure, you might be thinking of ways to improve your little furry one’s quality of life. The kidneys’ primary function is to remove waste from the blood, manage blood pressure, produce necessary hormones, and stimulate the creation of new blood cells. Although kidney (renal) disease is not typically reversible, its progression can be significantly slowed with proper management, and one major part of that is diet modification.
Cats are particularly susceptible to renal disease due to their high protein dietary requirements, and sensitivity to certain substances compared to other species, like dogs. In order to limit any further damage to your cat’s kidneys, their diet needs to contain limited protein and phosphorus levels, and be low in sodium. However, the protein content should not fall below the recommended range, as this will lead to muscle wastage.
The table below shows how the values of these nutrients for cats with kidney disease compare with those for normal, healthy cats, as recommended by the AAFCO:
| Normal Diet | Renal Diet | |
| Protein | >26% | 28–35% |
| Phosphorus | 0.5% | 0.3–0.6% |
| Sodium | 0.2% | <0.4% |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | Not specified | 0.4–2.5% |
Note: These are based on “dry matter” (DM) figures.
While kidney diets should be relatively low in protein, they should not fall below the recommended range, as this can lead to the breakdown of muscle mass.
Feeding Options for Cats with Kidney Disease
There are lots of commercially prepared diets that have been specifically formulated to meet the needs of cats with renal disease, but if you would prefer to feed your cat something prepared at home, you will need to be very careful. Without laboratory testing, it is virtually impossible to accurately evaluate the nutritional value of homemade foods, but by carefully selecting and measuring ingredients, it can be possible to create foods that will suit your cat. Bear in mind that some studies into home-prepared cat food diets do not provide the appropriate nutritional levels, and that they can be quite variable depending on the mode of preparation and source of the ingredients used.
We would strongly recommend talking to your vet before going down this path, and if you have any concerns about whether a homemade diet is right for your cat, consider looking at some of the pre-prepared renal diets available.
One type of diet that is ordinarily a great choice for cats but not suitable for cats with kidney disease is a fresh food diet, as these tend to be too high in protein. The same applies to raw feeding.
Let’s take a look at some recipes you can try at home.
The 5 Homemade Cat Food Recipes for Cats with Kidney Disease
1. Our Favorite Recipe for Cats With Kidney Disease
Beef & Rice Homemade Cat Food
Equipment
- Large saucepan
- Rice cooker or medium pot
- Spoon
- Storage containers
Ingredients
- 1 lb 1 lb minced beef (20% fat is suitable for cats with renal disease, provided they are below a body condition score (BCS) of 5/9)
- 1 cup white rice slightly overcooked
- 4 oz chopped liver (chicken or beef)
- 1 tsp vegetable oil
- Mineral and salt substitutes ONLY if directed by your veterinarian
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the minced beef and liver to the pan. Cook the meat thoroughly, stirring often.
- Cook the rice until it's a little bit mushy. This will make it easier for your cat to digest.
- Let the meat and rice cool completely.
- In a large bowl, combine your meat, rice, and mineral and salt substitutes. Stir until the food is evenly mixed.
Notes
2. Special Senior Cat Diet for Kidney & Diabetes
This recipe has limited ingredients which is a great incentive when it comes to preparing your cat’s food.
- 2 tablespoons cooked green beans, finely minced
- 2 teaspoons finely minced carrots (if you substitute other vegetables, avoid starchy ones)
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons baked chicken breasts, minced (no skin)
- 2⁄3 cup cooked and cooled white rice
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Mineral and salt substitutes ONLY if directed by your veterinarian
- ½ teaspoon of fish oil
INSTRUCTIONS
Mix all of the ingredients thoroughly. Cook in a pre-heated skillet over low heat, constantly stirring until the egg is soft but cooked. Let it cool down, and divide it into portions inside air-tight containers. Use the refrigerated portions within 36 hours. You can also freeze the portions. Mix in the fish oil supplement just before serving for added flavor and benefits.
3. Beef & Salmon Kidney Care Cat Food Recipe
This recipe includes an array of meats that any feline will surely enjoy; many are organs. These are great ingredient options for replicating what a feline would consume in the wild, and they’re beneficial for cats without kidney disease.
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4. Chicken & Rice Kidney Disease Cat Food
In addition to a few human-grade ingredients, this recipe also calls for a few essential vitamins. You might be surprised to learn that cat vitamins and minerals are easy to source, but should be vet-approved or recommended before they are incorporated into your cat’s diet. There is also a second recipe on this blog for cats on a restricted mineral or sodium diet, which would likely go hand in hand with a renal diet.
5. Rabbit and Sweet Potato Stew
Perfect for cats with food allergies, this is likely to be a novel protein for most cats, or a great option for those who prefer to catch their own game. Rabbit is a lean meat, so it’s suitable for cats that are on the heavier side, but if your cat is of a lower BCS, you can add an additional tablespoon of oil into the recipe.
The recipe can be made in larger batches and frozen.
INGREDIENTS
- 5 oz rabbit meat
- 5 oz liver
- 3 oz grated sweet potato
- 3 oz peas
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon sunflower oil (2 for lean cats)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch for thickening
- Mineral and salt substitutes ONLY if directed by your veterinarian
METHOD
Cut the liver and rabbit meat into small pieces and lightly braise in the water and oil until cooked, but not overdone. Add in the sweet potato and peas, cooking for a further 5 minutes. Add the cornstarch only if needed to thicken the mixture.
Allow to cool and divide into 3-4 portions, depending on your cat’s requirements. This recipe contains approximately 800 kcal in total.
How to Improve Your Cats’ Quality of Life with Kidney Disease
Unfortunately, kidney disease has no cure, and all you can do for your cat is reduce the disease’s progression. This involves certain supplements, medical treatments, and specialized diets. The progression of the damage to the kidneys needs to be closely monitored by a veterinarian, and appropriate changes in the treatments and diets must be implemented.
One of the Main Things That Can Be Improved Upon Once Your Cat Has Been Diagnosed Is Their Diet
Dietary therapy is the single most beneficial treatment for cats with renal disease. A specialized renal diet helps increase the life expectancy of a cat suffering from chronic kidney disease.
As a general rule, patients suffering from kidney disease need a diet with high moisture, less protein, non-acidifying sodium and phosphate, and more potassium and vitamin B. However, it is not all that easy. The diets need to be highly palatable and calorie-rich since kidney disease causes a reduction in appetite.
- Catster Recommends: Best Cat Foods for Kidney Disease – Our Reviews & Top Picks
Before Proceeding With Changes, You Need Vet’s Approval
You most certainly do not want to cause your pet more pain or do additional damage to their kidneys. Veterinarians use an IRIS (International Renal Interest Society) grading system to categorize the different stages of kidney damage. The diets and treatments for cats suffering from kidney disease must be adjusted to each stage. That is why you must get your cat checked by the veterinarian first and then have the vet review the diet.
Some possible supplements to add to these recipes, depending on your cat’s disease stage and specific needs, are calcium, vitamin B, L carnitine, Taurine, potassium, phosphorus binders, and slippery elm. A veterinarian will help you develop a diet specific to your cat’s needs.
It is important to remember that with new dietary restrictions comes the potential for food aversions, and it is crucial to make the change of diet gradual to your cat by introducing no more than 10-20% of the new diet every 1 or 2 days, mixed with the old diet until the cat gets used to the new diet. It’s also important to remember that the disease causes nausea and lack of appetite. Sometimes, this needs to be treated with vet-prescribed medicines, but in other cases, you must use your imagination to instigate your cat to eat. Tasty food and hand feeding can be of help.
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Final Thoughts
Preparing your cat food will be a commitment, but when it comes to the health of their pets, most owners are in it for the long haul! We hope you enjoyed learning how to make cat food for cats with kidney disease and have found a recipe you and your kitty enjoy; feel free to adjust them according to your veterinarian’s recommendation.
Fresh water is essential for every cat, but particularly for cats with renal disease. Make sure your cat has multiple water sources to choose from, and be aware that they may get through a bowl more quickly than other cats.
Looking for more great recipes for your feline? Check these out!
Feature Image Credit: Daisy Daisy, Shutterstock
