The following kidney food for cats aims to improve the cat’s quality of life.
The natural remedies below support healthy kidney and urinary function.
You should take this information to your cat’s doctor. And figure out a plan that works for your individual cat.
Every cat is an individual and should be treated as such.
Kidney food for cats included on this page:
- Premade Raw Intelligent Design Kidney Support
- Homemade Raw Kidney Support Premixes
- Custom Diet Kidney Support Premade or DIY
- Homemade Raw Kidney Support Recipe
- Freeze-dried Raw Kidney Support Diet
- Low Phosphorus Wet Foods (Non Prescription)
- Natural Remedies to Support Kidneys
- Feline Renal Support Supplements
- Veterinary Resources on CKD
Please note: Do not use this information to treat your cat by yourself at home.
I’m only writing this article because people email me about kidney food for cats very frequently.
Additionally, I am including all options (except dry) in one place because people like choices.
Some options (Just Food, wet food) are not ideal compared to raw. However, these options are far superior to dry food. It is up to you and your cat’s doctor to choose what’s right for your cat.
Please remember to transition cat food SLOWLY.
Work with your cat’s doctor to come up with a transition plan.
Disclaimer: I earn a commission if you make a purchase through affiliate links below. No additional cost to you.
Also, nothing I say is medical advice!!!!
1. Premade Raw Intelligent Design Kidney Support
Premade raw kidney food for cats: Darwin’s Intelligent Design Kidney Support for Cats.
Why?
The point is not the quantity of the protein. The issue is the quality. The standard restricted diets still contain poor-quality protein sources. Such food simply does not contain enough vitality, freshness, and variety to generate real, long-lasting health. Cats with very poor blood tests involving the kidneys will often improve dramatically on raw meat. It’s the freshness and naturalness of this most appropriate food source for cats—raw meat—that drives the healing process. The vitality in the meat is transferred to the weakened organ for effective repair.
Dr. Bill Pollak
Zucker, Martin. The Veterinarians’ Guide to Natural Remedies for Cats (p. 195). Crown. Kindle Edition.
Darwin’s Intelligent Design Kidney Support for Cats is:
- Specifically for kidney support
- Formulated by veterinarians
- Most natural diet for cats
- Premade and shipped to your door
- Made it on Susan Thixton’s 2023 list
You need a prescription for this food. Download the prescription form on Darwin’s website.
Consider the natural remedies below as well (jump to natural remedies).
2. Homemade Raw Kidney Support Premixes
There are 2 homemade kidney food for cats premix options.
Why?
- You control the ingredients and how it’s made
- Companies listed below have been creating premixes for decades
- Veterinarians use and recommend their premixes
NOTE: Although these companies make a variety of raw food premixes, you would use the premixes intended for kidney support (linked below).
TC Feline has created raw food premixes for over 20 years.
You can buy the premix online and use TC Feline’s recipe to make it.
Feline Instincts also creates raw food premixes.
You can buy the premix online and use their brochure with the recipe.
Check out my homemade cat food guide for transitioning and meal prep.
Consider the natural remedies below as well (jump to natural remedies).
3. Custom Diet Kidney Support Premade or DIY
Custom diet for kidney support: Just Food for Cats.
Why?
- Formulated for your cat’s specific needs
- Veterinarians and formulators on staff
- Premade and shipped to you or DIY option
- Made it on Susan Thixton’s 2023 list
Just Food for Cats will work with you and your cat’s doctor to come up with a food that works for your cat’s individual needs.
Consider the natural remedies below as well (jump to natural remedies).
4. Homemade Raw Kidney Support Recipe
Homemade raw kidney support recipe: Dr. Judy Morgan.
Why?
- Specifically for kidney support
- Created by Dr. Judy Morgan
- Free download
Dr. Judy Morgan is a fresh-food advocate veterinarian. Download her kidney support recipe for cats.
I’d also suggest reading her page dedicated to kidney disease.
Consider the natural remedies below as well (jump to natural remedies).
5. Freeze-dried Raw Kidney Support Diet
Freeze-dried raw kidney support diet: Medicus Veterinary Diets.
Why?
- Specifically for kidney support
- Developed by veterinarians
- Fresher ingredients than wet and dry foods
- Made it on Susan Thixton’s 2023 list
Medicus Veterinary Diets are made with USDA-inspected whole food ingredients, independently reviewed, minimally processed, and 3rd party tested.
A prescription is required for this product.
Consider the natural remedies below as well (jump to natural remedies).
6. Low Phosphorus Wet Foods (Non Prescription)
There are no dry food options on this page.
Why?
For an individualized program, consult with a holistic veterinarian. I recommend a high-moisture diet to keep up the cat’s fluid levels. Do not feed dry food alone. Kidney problems are accelerated by a diet of dry food that too many people feed their animals.
Dr. Jean Hofve
Zucker, Martin. The Veterinarians’ Guide to Natural Remedies for Cats (p. 197). Crown. Kindle Edition.
VCA Hospitals says a low phos kidney food for cats would have 0.3-0.6% phos on a dry matter basis.
Low phosphorus wet foods
Important: Only the products linked below have the corresponding phosphorus amount.
The phosphorus amounts are different for different products. Even if the products are made by the same company.
Said another way…
If you click around and choose different products, you must check the phos amount for that product.
Wellness Healthy Indulgence Morsels with Chicken and Chicken Liver has 0.5% phos DMB.
Buy:
Weruva Truluxe Steak Frites with Beef and Pumpkin has 0.57% phos DMB.
Buy:
Soulistic (made by Weruva) Good Karma POUCH (not can) Chicken Dinner has 0.68% phos DMB (technically higher than appropriate).
Buy:
Note: these low phos wet foods are not 100% ideal.
But looking at the bigger picture, these are still better than all types of dry food.
Why not use CKD prescription dry food?
I have no other word for dry ‘renal’ diets other than “atrocious” given their water-depletion, low protein amount, and the low biological value of the protein (plant vs animal-based) that they are comprised of. I would have to be stranded on a desert island with no other food source before I would ever consider feeding these diets to any cat in my care.
Dr. Lisa Pierson, catinfo.org.
100% ideal would be the fresh food options above.
Please use Dr. Lisa Pierson’s cat food database for more low phos wet food options.
Consider the natural remedies below as well.
7. Natural Remedies to Support Kidneys
Why?
We can’t create new kidney cells when scar tissue has already formed. But homeopathy, herbs, Bach flowers, or acupuncture may make your cat feel better. For an individualized program, consult with a holistic veterinarian.
Dr. Jean Hofve
Zucker, Martin. The Veterinarians’ Guide to Natural Remedies for Cats (p. 197). Crown. Kindle Edition.
Herbal remedies
Pet Wellbeing Essential Kidney Kit for Cats.
- Formulated by holistic veterinarians
- Kidney Gold supports the kidneys
- Probiotics/enzymes support the microbiome
- Salmon oil fatty acids relieve inflammation
Buy PetWellbeing Essential Kidney Kit for Cats on their website.
Water quality
Water is the most essential nutrient, and it’s essential for life.
Water quality (just like food quality) matters a lot. I tested my water quality with Tap Score (get $10 off $100+ purchase with that link).
My water quality was above the US average but still contains a bunch of chloroform and other chemicals that negatively affect kidney and immune function.
I found the best water treatment: AquaTru reversis osmosis. Read my AquaTru review here.
Buy the Glass carafe or Classic model and get a discount plus free filters with that link!
8. Feline Renal Support Supplements
Do not rely on supplements alone. Please start with the diet first!
RX Vitamins supplements:
Vetri-Science Renal Essentials supplements:
Only Natural Pet also has its own renal support supplement.
There is also Standard Process Feline Renal Support.
You can add a calcium supplement because higher calcium will lower phosphorus.
Feline CBD formula includes CBD, omega-3 fatty acids, and cranberries that can help control inflammation and support a healthy urinary system.
Veterinary Resources on CKD
Find an integrative vet in your local area on AHVMA.
Or book a virtual consultation with Dr. Monique Lewison on FirstVet. She is an integrative vet and raw feeds her cat.
Get labs done in your home with Affordable Pet Labs. Their urine and feces are mail-in kits that you collect and mail in. They will come to you to do bloodwork if you are in their service area. Get 10% off with code JESSCATICLES.
Please read the following:
Recent research demonstrates that diets high in protein have no detrimental effect on the kidneys, and animals with mildly decreased kidney function do not benefit from reduced protein diets.
Dr. Eliza Katz, Feline Nutrition Foundation.
My thought is that if you’re feeding a poor-quality, rendered, dehydrated protein that conceivably consists of indigestible animal parts such as hooves and nails, it may negatively affect the kidneys long term.
Dr. Karen Becker.
Too little protein in the diet can lead to excessive weight loss that can be extremely detrimental to a cat’s general health. Cats find low-protein diets less palatable. Moving to a raw, high-quality protein diet from a renal prescription diet often leads to improved appetite.
Dr. Lyn Thomson, Feline Nutrition Foundation.
Additionally, studies show that certain pet food flavor enhancer palatants added to foods may cause renal issues. Watch the video below.
Final thoughts on kidney food for cats
Holistic vets say natural, fresh foods are best for cats with kidney disease.
Natural herbs and supplements can help support the body.
Take these options and resources to your cat’s doctor to discuss what will work best for your cat.
If your cat’s doctor is not open to these suggestions, find a holistic vet.
I am not a medical doctor. I cannot tell you how much of what and what mixture to use for your cat.
Please do not email me with questions about this.
I understand you need help. But I cannot advise any more than I have in this article.
Need a centralized place to keep track of everything related to your cat? Grab my Cat Care Binder Bundle!
