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My 15/16 year old DSH spayed kitty was just diagnosed with the beginnings of "kidney insufficiency." I was advised to go ahead and switch her to a kidney diet that will be low in protein and phosphate. Anyone here have brands of kidney diet food they have had success with or would recommend? The Vet has a prescription brand that I'm going to get samples of and she how she likes it, but I'd like to have other options as well.
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| # ? Feb 5, 2013 17:02 |
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| # ? May 22, 2013 22:19 |
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The only good kidney diets will be from your veterinarian. Hill's K/D, Royal Canin LP, Purina NF, and Iams Renal are the major ones. For the most part, they all do the same thing, but palatability is vastly different between them. Depends on your cat which one they prefer - I tend to have better palatability with Royal Canin, but Hill's and Purina do well too. I don't have much experience with Iams. Some of the "premium" or "holistic" pet food manufacturers/fanatics will try to tell you that your vet is wrong and to feed higher protein levels. They are absolutely wrong, do not listen to them.
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| # ? Feb 5, 2013 17:09 |
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HelloSailorSign posted:Some of the "premium" or "holistic" pet food manufacturers/fanatics will try to tell you that your vet is wrong and to feed higher protein levels. They are absolutely wrong, do not listen to them. There are also a few "kidney diets" that are just regular kibble with some cranberries thrown in. Give your kitty a therapeutic food buffet and go with whatever she prefers.
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| # ? Feb 5, 2013 17:24 |
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Thanks, I'm going to pick up a sample at the vet and I'll see if petsmart carries the ones you have mentioned.
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| # ? Feb 5, 2013 17:36 |
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Our cat Clio was diagnosed at about the same time as your's and lived for another three years on the Purina NF since she wouldn't eat anything else at that point. The main thing is to find something they will eat, as well as whatever meds he or she can be made to take. Sadly she died this weekend but it really is the most common cat illness. Good luck! Our cat was quite happy right til the end.
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| # ? Feb 6, 2013 03:13 |
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I'm really sorry to hear that NLJP, but I'm glad she had an easy end. I picked up the vet sample and I've ordered both the wet and dry Purina NF. She always loved her dry purina kibble even after I switched her to a wet diet, so I'm hoping the flavor profile is similar enough she'll like it.
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| # ? Feb 6, 2013 12:48 |
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Kiss Kiss Bang Bang posted:Thanks, I'm going to pick up a sample at the vet and I'll see if petsmart carries the ones you have mentioned. Does Petsmart carry other brands? The one I go to only carries Royal Canin, and my cat usually begins his meal by licking the sauce off the morsels, then if he gets hungry later, will eat the actual food. Many times I have to toss out half or more of what he was given. Because he also has Diabetes, this is a huge issue. Petsmart also requires a prescription card in order to purchase this food. How can I try other varieties to find one he really likes? Nerdfest X fucked around with this message at Mar 5, 2013 around 00:34 |
| # ? Mar 5, 2013 00:31 |
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Your vet should at least have access to the other major companies, or even stock a few of the others. At the clinic I work at, we stock the Hill's, Purima, and Royal Canin varieties.
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| # ? Mar 5, 2013 01:11 |
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I'd also suggest Hi-Tor Neo. You'll have to check around for it, I had to order it through a pet store. I've heard good things about it, however neither of my cats would eat any sort of kidney food. I've been a bad pet owner and have fed them Fancy Feast since their CRF diagnosis three years ago. Remember, if the cat is not eating very much kidney diet food or is turning its nose up, feed it anything, as kidney cats are quick to lose their appetite and feeding them something unhealthy is better than nothing at all.
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| # ? Mar 5, 2013 02:23 |
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Rand McNally posted:I'd also suggest Hi-Tor Neo. You'll have to check around for it, I had to order it through a pet store. I've heard good things about it, however neither of my cats would eat any sort of kidney food. I've been a bad pet owner and have fed them Fancy Feast since their CRF diagnosis three years ago. Remember, if the cat is not eating very much kidney diet food or is turning its nose up, feed it anything, as kidney cats are quick to lose their appetite and feeding them something unhealthy is better than nothing at all. Hi-Tor isn't all that good of a kidney diet when it comes down to it. Comparing to Hill''s k/d, it's got 9% more protein (37.8 compared to 28), and almost double the phosphorous (0.68 compared to 0.3ish). Though if a cat won't eat a kidney diet it's all moot anyway. Eating anything is better than not eating at all, and if that diet is a step down protein wise from what you were feeding before then that's at least something.
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| # ? Mar 5, 2013 03:11 |
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HelloSailorSign posted:Hi-Tor isn't all that good of a kidney diet when it comes down to it. Comparing to Hill''s k/d, it's got 9% more protein (37.8 compared to 28), and almost double the phosphorous (0.68 compared to 0.3ish). What does this mean, (more protein & phosphorous) and why is it bad? My question about food concerns different varieties, and availability. The Petsmart/Banfield nearby has no varieties of renal diet food other than Royal Canin, and in order to purchase this, I need a prescription card. Is it possible to purchase new brands/flavors from sources other than Petsmart? I do not wish to subject my pet to unnecessary $200 physical examinations, blood work, glucose curves, etc. so that some other vet can determine that "yes, he has diabetes and CRF". I already know that, now can I be allowed to purchase different food? I just want to be able to buy renal/diabetes food in different brands/flavors from other sources until he finds one he really likes.
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| # ? Mar 5, 2013 07:11 |
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Feed her kidney beans? 
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| # ? Mar 5, 2013 09:49 |
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Nerdfest X posted:What does this mean, (more protein & phosphorous) and why is it bad? The FIRST point of understanding a renal diet is that processing protein is hard on the kidneys and high protein will advance the disease. In general, the lower protein the better, though cats must have some protein. Phosphorous is similiar, lower is better, but I believe there is less good data on what an ok level is. The point is not all diets billed as renal friendly are created equal, and it's important to pick one after understanding what they are. The reason these diets are prescription only is that these diets are not appropriate for healthy cats. If your vet made a diagnosis, you can get a prescription from them.
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| # ? Mar 5, 2013 11:37 |
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Rand McNally posted:I'd also suggest Hi-Tor Neo. You'll have to check around for it, I had to order it through a pet store. I've heard good things about it, however neither of my cats would eat any sort of kidney food. I've been a bad pet owner and have fed them Fancy Feast since their CRF diagnosis three years ago. Remember, if the cat is not eating very much kidney diet food or is turning its nose up, feed it anything, as kidney cats are quick to lose their appetite and feeding them something unhealthy is better than nothing at all. Well since this thread came back I'll give an update! I tried both the hills dry KD and the Purina kd both wet and dry. The dry went over pretty good except for the fact she has really bad bottom teeth that hurt her..so she'll only nibble the dry when she's super hungry. She didn't care for the wet by itself but would eat a fair portion of it if it was mixed in/disguised under her Fancy Feast gravy lovers. Since I'm home all the time, I feed her whenever she asks (which is all the goddamned time. wtf cat!)and she'll make a good show of pushing it all over the plate and eating. She has gained two ounces since she presented with the UTI, which is good. Although given the amount she's eating I would have thought it would be more. For the record she was an 10 pound cat at her last check up, the emergency vet weighed her at 7 pounds and her regular vet got 8 pounds the next day. So as of now she is 8lbs 2oz. I read up on what other cat owners have been doing and the internet crazy cat lady consensus says "Feed the cat the lowest phosphorous food it will eat." At the moment that appears to be Purina One chicken braised in gravy and Fancy Feast gravy lovers. My baby likes sauce. What can I say. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMAizuqPBik
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| # ? Mar 5, 2013 15:29 |
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Nerdfest X posted:What does this mean, (more protein & phosphorous) and why is it bad? Presumably your vet diagnosed the CRF and diabetes, and can both tell you which foods would be appropriate and order them for you, or at least give you a prescription so another clinic can order it for you or sell you the brands they carry. Technically, foods are not prescription products because they are food, not medication (and as such are controlled by the USDA and not the FDA), but a lot of clinics or stores will require a prescription because the foods are intended to treat a medical issue and many are not appropriate for just any cat.
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| # ? Mar 5, 2013 17:09 |
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KissKiss, have you tried adding water to the dry food? Soup that stuff right up and she might go to town on it. Nerdfest, all Banfield does is call your vet, so if you have a previous diagnosis from them they should have no problem issuing you a prescription card for the food.
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| # ? Mar 5, 2013 20:06 |
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Rufus En Fuego posted:KissKiss, have you tried adding water to the dry food? Soup that stuff right up and she might go to town on it. I have but I'm not sure of my results. The food turned into a big swollen block of fail and I could never tell if she actually ate any. It might be time to try again though. Maybe if I warm up the water a little?
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| # ? Mar 5, 2013 21:03 |
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Warm water just makes it puff up faster, but the heat might make the odor stronger. The really important thing is to get a lot of fluids in her, so however way she lets you do it will be the best. Maybe dump some watered down tuna juice on it? That worked for me with my old man cat's FLUTD, as well as putting him on a steroid (made him hungry and thirsty).
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| # ? Mar 5, 2013 21:30 |
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Thanks for the info, guys. I never thought about the protein/phosphorus stuff. Banfield IS my vet, and they are located inside the Petsmart. A local independant vet diagnosed the diabetes, and Banfield vet diagnosed the CRF, and they issued me a prescription card. If I show my Banfield prescription card, is that enough for me to be able to purchase the prescription food elsewhere? Has anyone used the Aluminum Hydroxide powder? I got the unflavored variety and I dont think he likes it too much. Nerdfest X fucked around with this message at Mar 6, 2013 around 03:27 |
| # ? Mar 5, 2013 23:48 |
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Nerdfest X posted:Thanks for the info, guys. I never thought about the protien/phosphorus stuff. OH, I'm sorry. I thought it was the other way around. No idea if you need anything to purchase prescription foods from other vets in your area, but I've personally been able to waltz into whatever vet's office is nearby and just buy the stuff. The only place that ever gave me poo poo was Banfield, and even then all they had to do was call my regular vet. 
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| # ? Mar 5, 2013 23:52 |
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| # ? May 22, 2013 22:19 |
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Each vet will likely have their own policy--they may accept the prescription card, or ask to see the records from a previous vet. But, most will be willing to sell you food without needing to examine the cat. The exception may be if you need them to recommend a food, but if you know what you want or your vet can tell you what types of food are appropriate you should be able to get it anywhere.
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| # ? Mar 5, 2013 23:58 |
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