Why do Prescription Diets for kidney disease in cats have low protein?

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Lionel Berman asked a question: Why do Prescription Diets for kidney disease in cats have low protein?
Asked By: Lionel Berman
Date created: Fri, Jul 22, 2022 7:12 AM
Date updated: Sat, May 18, 2024 10:47 AM

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Video answer: Why I Don’t Recommend Most Prescription Renal Diets for Cats

Why I Don’t Recommend Most Prescription Renal Diets for Cats

Best answer to the question «Why do Prescription Diets for kidney disease in cats have low protein?»

Prescription diets for this condition are often designed with low protein because there is some research that shows restricting protein helps to prolong health in cats with chronic renal disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

Those who are looking for an answer to the question «Why do Prescription Diets for kidney disease in cats have low protein?» often ask the following questions:

đŸ˜» Do cats with chronic kidney disease lose weight?

Evidence that these "renal diets" cause loss of lean body and protein malnutrition is lacking. Many cats with CKD lose weight and become underweight. However, this often occurs before the diagnosis of CKD and initiation of a "renal diet", thus suggesting that CKD itself promotes weight loss.

đŸ˜» Can cats with kidney disease eat prescription food?

Cats with more advanced cases of kidney disease can benefit from eating a prescription food. Prescription kidney diets tend to provide a moderate level of protein but are quite low in phosphorous, which helps keep the production of waste products as low as possible.

đŸ˜» Why does my cat have a kidney diet with low protein?

These waste products cause cats to feel sick. Therefore, kidney formula diets are low in protein to reduce the levels of these products and also to reduce the “workload” of the kidneys. That sounds good in theory, but it appears there may be a flaw in the logic.

    Video answer: Kidney Disease and Cats - Everything you need to know

    Kidney Disease and Cats - Everything you need to know

    Your Answer

    We've handpicked 27 related questions for you, similar to «Why do Prescription Diets for kidney disease in cats have low protein?» so you can surely find the answer!

    Can cats with kidney disease eat prescription food?
    Cats with more advanced cases of kidney disease can benefit from eating a prescription food. Prescription kidney diets tend to provide a moderate level of protein but are quite low in phosphorous, which helps keep the production of waste products as low as possible.
    Are low protein diets safe for cats with kidney disease?
    Although low protein diets have been traditionally prescribed for cats with kidney disease, fortunately Dr. Finco’s work uncovered the fact that cats who were fed low protein diets developed hypoproteinemia; a condition where there is an abnormally low level of protein in the blood.
    Is raw cat food good for kidney disease?
    This raw cat food is a bit different from the other prescription diets on our list. Instead of focusing on low protein levels, this food maintains a normal level of protein and approaches kidney disease from a different angle.
    What is a prescription kidney diet?
    Prescription kidney diets tend to provide a moderate level of protein but are quite low in phosphorous, which helps keep the production of waste products as low as possible.

    Video answer: Low phos wet cat food (non prescription)

    Low phos wet cat food (non prescription) What is the best diet for a cat with kidney disease?
    In addition to protein restriction, renal diets contain additional potassium, lower sodium, low phosphorus and, in some cases, added Omega-3 fatty acids. All of these components are good for cats with kidney disease. What may not be desirable is the limited protein.
    Which kidney diet is best for Your Cat?
    • Most cat food for kidney disease requires a prescription. ...
    • Therapeutic kidney diets contain controlled amounts of phosphorus,protein,and sodium,but amounts (and other ingredients) vary from brand to brand. ...
    • Cats with kidney disease often have small appetites so finding a food that your cat will eat is important. ...
    Is a renal diet good for cats with kidney disease?
    How protein restriction impacts healthy body condition. In addition to protein restriction, renal diets contain additional potassium, lower sodium, low phosphorus and, in some cases, added Omega-3 fatty acids. All of these components are good for cats with kidney disease. What may not be desirable is the limited protein.
    Why does my cat have a kidney diet with low protein?
    These waste products cause cats to feel sick. Therefore, kidney formula diets are low in protein to reduce the levels of these products and also to reduce the “workload” of the kidneys. That sounds good in theory, but it appears there may be a flaw in the logic.
    Do renal diet foods really work for cats with kidney disease?
    Although the inconvenience and expense of purchasing these ‘prescription diet’ foods are often greater than the regular canned food or dry kibble you are used to feeding your cat, vets argue they are genuinely effective in the fight against kidney disease. How do these renal diet cat foods help? 1. Low quantity, high-quality protein content
    Can a diabetic cat eat a low carbohydrate diet?
    Some diabetic cats also have other health problems, such as kidney disease, that may not be an ideal fit with low carbohydrate diets. Low carbohydrate diets, especially dry diets, are often very high in calories.

    Video answer: Protein For Cats With Kidney Disease | Top 3 Protein Foods For Your Cat With Kidney Disease

    Protein For Cats With Kidney Disease | Top 3 Protein Foods For Your Cat With Kidney Disease Why do cats with kidney disease eat low protein food?
    High blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels are a primary characteristic of kidney disease and a major part of why cats with CKD feel unwell. To control the amount of waste in the bloodstream and ease the burden on the kidneys, cats with renal disease are traditionally given low-protein food.
    Are high protein diets safe for cats with diabetes?
    Current feline prescription diets designed to treat diabetes (such as Hills m/d, Purina DM, and Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Diabetic Formula) contain high protein levels and low carbohydrate levels because it is easier for the body to metabolize carbs into sugar. In my opinion the logic behind these diets is sound.
    Can cats with kidney disease eat egg whites?
    Cooking your protein like cooked egg whites are a great source of protein for cats with kidney disease and it’s also low in phosphorus. Egg whites, not the yolk, we want to do the egg whites. Other Protein Sources For Your Cat
    What can you not feed a cat with kidney disease?
    High salt (sodium) diets may increase blood pressure and may worsen kidney damage, so diets designed for pets with kidney disease are low in sodium. You should also avoid feeding high salt treats such as cheese, bread, deli meat, and many commercial dog and cat treats.
    Do older cats need less protein?
    Older Cats and Protein – A Delicate Balance. As a result, some senior cat foods have been designed to have reduced protein levels, presumably based on the assumption that many of these individuals have undiagnosed kidney disease and would benefit from a lower level of protein in their diets. Not so fast.
    Do I need a prescription for low-protein cat food?
    All cats require plenty of digestible, highly bioavailable protein in their diet. Do I need a prescription for low-protein cat food? Not necessarily.
    What can I feed an old cat with kidney disease?
    Examples include Hill's Prescription Diet k/d (both early and late state diets exist), Royal Canin Renal Support, Purina ProPlan Veterinary Diet NF Kidney Function, and Rayne Clinical Nutrition Adult Health-RSS.
    Can cats with kidney disease eat too much protein?
    So, a cat with kidney disease can consume more protein than its body can handle. However, if your senior cat doesn’t have any diseases, it’s unlikely that a meal could contain too much protein. However, if the meal contains too much low-quality or indigestible protein, your cat may struggle to digest it.
    What is the treatment for cat diabetes?
    If caught early, the first step is diet change. A diet that is lower in protein but has a high quality, easily digested protein coupled with low phosphorous and a boost in antioxidants round out a kidney diet that can slow the progression of the disease. The diets we recommend are Science Diet K/d, Royal Canin Renal Support, and Purina NF.
    Is protein bad for cats with kidney disease?
    However, that’s not to say that protein is bad for old cats. It’s a common misconception that all senior cats should be placed on a low-protein diet. Aging cats need as much protein as younger cats, but the protein must be high-quality and easily digestible. However, cats with kidney disease should consume less protein.
    Can a low magnesium diet affect a cat’s kidneys?
    Also, the low magnesium content in diets designed to decrease urinary stone and crystal formation may adversely affect the kidneys over time. ÂČ You may have been told to feed your kidney-compromised cat a diet that has a reduced protein content. Should you do it?
    Is high protein bad for cats with kidney disease?
    High protein intake is a dietary factor associated with progression of CKD in dogs 35 and humans. 36 Studies of cats with surgically induced models of kidney disease did not identify effects of dietary protein content on renal function. 37, 38 Senior diets for cats typically are lower in protein content.
    Why do cats with kidney disease need special kidney foods?
    Protein, therefore, tastes good to cats and stimulates their appetites - this is one of the reasons cats with kidney disease must continue to have some protein in their diet. Special kidney foods contain less protein than regular foods, however, although present in lesser amounts,...
    What is the best kidney care cat food?
    • Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Renal Support F. This product is an example of a low phosphorus cat food for kidney disease. ...
    • Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Early Support Canned Chicken. The Hill's Prescription diet brand offers wet cat food that is made for cats with early onset of kidney disease.
    • Forza10 Kidney Renal Actiwet With Lamb. ...
    Does senior cat food have too much protein?
    As a result, some senior cat foods have been designed to have reduced protein levels, presumably based on the assumption that many of these individuals have undiagnosed kidney disease and would benefit from a lower level of protein in their diets. Not so fast.
    What food is best for cat weight loss?
    Some weight loss diets, such as Purina Proplan OM and Royal Canin Calorie Control, are high protein, low carbohydrate, others such as Royal Canin Satiety and Hills Prescription Diet w/d have high fiber content to help the cat feel more full and stop begging for food.
    Why do cats eat hairball treats?
    Some cats have other health issues such as urinary or kidney issues and need to eat a special diet. These cats would benefit from using hairball treats along with their prescription diets.

    Video answer: Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats

    Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats