When your cat has been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, your veterinarian may recommend switching her diet onto one of the best low protein cat food brands. It’s hard for their kidneys to process all the waste associated with proteins, thus making regular cat food more taxing on your cat’s kidneys. Low protein cat food for kidney disease is more appropriate in that case.
Most cat foods are high in protein, and the protein-associated waste builds up in the cat’s kidneys. Not only that, but veterinarians explain how there are also toxins that will begin to accumulate in the blood.
Your cat will start feeling sick when her kidneys are having trouble processing protein. As a result, she will refuse to eat. If this is the case, your cat may also begin to exhibit other declining symptoms ranging from weight loss to shock.
Cats who suffer from kidney disease aren’t the only ones who benefit from a diet low in protein. In this article, we’ll discuss all the benefits of low protein cat food for kidney disease, and rank some of the best low protein cat food brands out there:
| Low Protein Cat Food for Kidney Disease | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|
 ROYAL CANIN Feline Selected Protein Adult PD Can (24/5.9 oz)by Royal Canin  |
$$$$ | $0.52/oz |
 Purina Pro Plan Wet Cat Food Focus Adult Urinary Tract Health Formulaby Purina |
$$ | $0.23/oz |
 Purina NF Kidney Function Cat Food 24 5.5-oz cansby Purina  |
$$$ | $0.4/oz |
 Hills Science Nutrition Z/D Low Allergen Cat Food 8.5 lbby Hill’s Science Diet |
$$$$$ | $9.4/lbs |
 Farmina Natural Chicken and Ancestral Low-Grain Formula Dry Cat Foodby Farmina  |
$$$$ | $5.1/lbs |
* Click on the best low protein cat food brand for more information, prices and info. Or see below for more details.
Choosing the Best Low Protein Cat Food Brands
In order to keep a cat comfortable after she’s been diagnosed with kidney disease, veterinarians recommend to significantly lessen her protein intake. This will take a little planning and research, some patience, time, and effort on your part.
In fact, you may not reach the best possible end result until after some trial and error. But, you want to decrease the chance of complications because severe renal disease in cats can lead to renal failure, which can be fatal. Changing the diet is the first step.
When you’re ready to find the best low protein food brands for your cat, your first point of reference should be your veterinarian. Your vet knows your cat and her case better than anyone else. They’ll be able to lead you in the right direction and recommend some of the best low protein cat food brands out there. A prescription cat food may be advised.
Key features in the best low protein cat food for kidney disease
As a general rule, there are some key features you must look for when picking out the best low protein cat food brands for your feline with renal disease. For example, some cat food brands are manufactured specifically with properties that support renal function.
In addition to choosing specifically low protein cat food for kidney disease, the diet should also include restricted phosphorus. Having an addition of Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil is also advisable. This is because essential fatty acids help support kidney function.
Many veterinarians also recommend picking the best low protein cat food brands that provide immune system support. For example, an multivitamin and antioxidant complex is a great addition to your cat’s diet in order to support her immune system.
Furthermore, it’s a good idea to review the moisture content in any of the best low protein cat food brands that you choose. New studies have shown that higher moisture content promotes kidney function in cats, urinary tract function as well as healthy weight loss.
Mercola states that when a cat is in the wild their prey’s moisture content may be as high as 75%. This can only be achieved with wet cat food brands, however.
Source of protein vs protein percentage in low protein cat food kidney
When you’re picking out your next best low protein cat food brands, always take a much closer look at the “Guaranteed Analysis” on the package (we’ve included those below). The percentage of protein isn’t the only thing you should be looking at.
The overall ratio and the moisture ratio are key details. Naturally, the ingredients are also important to check. Just because it’s a low protein cat food for kidney disease doesn’t mean it’s automatically the best choice. Look at the protein source as well.
Unlike with dogs, protein is a crucial in the cat’s diet, which is why feeding her low protein cat food kidney friendly brands makes it a very complicated situation. You cannot entirely cut the protein out of your cat’s diet. Proper balance will be key when making this choice.
Let’s take a look at the ten best low protein cat food brands for kidney disease, and how they rank against each other as well as their guaranteed analysis and ingredient lists.
What Are the Best Low Protein Cat Food Brands?
top 10 best low protein cat food for kidney disease
1 Royal Canin Feline Selected Protein
by Royal Canin
Guaranteed Analysis
CRUDE PROTEIN 9.0% min
CRUDE FAT 5.3.0% min
CRUDE FIBER 1.5% max
MOISTURE 77.5% max
The very first on the list of best low protein cat food brands is Royal Canine – a brand associated with formulas specifically addressing health problems in pets. The Royal Canin Feline Selected Protein cat food option is a great option for cats who have trouble digesting protein. Mainly because it includes simple duck protein. Duck is actually a protein cats can digest quite easily.
- Low protein cat food reviews: Read here what other pet owners are saying
This cat food also has boosted omega-3 fatty acids. As well as increased antioxidants. An increase in antioxidants is a great way to support your cat’s immune system. This is a balanced option with a great source of protein. Plus, it’s also available in soft and dry.
Most helpful review (read the full Amazon review): “We supplement our Allie Cat’s diet of the Royal Canin Duck and Pea kibble with the can food, which gives her a nice treat at the end of the day. After being diagnosed with IBD and food sensitivities she’s a changed cat on the dry and canned…”
2 Purina Pro Plan Urinary Tract Health Formula
by Purina Pro Plan
Guaranteed Analysis
CRUDE PROTEIN 12.0% min
CRUDE FAT 3.5% min
CRUDE FIBER 0.2% max
MOISTURE 78.0% max
One of the best low protein cat food brands out there, Purina is known for their health formulas. Purina is a brand that pet owners have trusted for decades. So, there’s no surprise that they made this list. Purina Pro Plan Urinary Tract Health Formula is actually another cat food that is often recommended by veterinarians.
- Low protein cat food reviews: Read here what other pet owners are saying
This cat food is made with real chicken. Which, of course, is a great source of protein. When you chose this option you won’t only be supporting your cat’s urinary tract system. You’ll also be supporting their digestive, coat, skin, and immune systems.
3 Purina NF Kidney Function Cat Food
by Purina
Guaranteed Analysis
CRUDE PROTEIN 7.0% min
CRUDE FAT 5.0% min
CRUDE FIBER 2.0% max
MOISTURE 77.0% max
Another option among the best low protein cat food brands is from Purina again – a slightly different, and less popular formula, addressing kidney function in cats. Purina NF is actually recommended quite often by the veterinarian community. It is a great option to help support kidney function. This formula has lowered salts and proteins.
- Low protein cat food reviews: Read here what other pet owners are saying
This low protein cat food option also has a source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. As well as an added B-complex vitamin. The additional potassium in Purina NF also helps support kidney health.
4 Hill’s Prescription Diet z/d Feline
by Hill’s Science Diet
Guaranteed Analysis
CRUDE PROTEIN 28.0% min
CRUDE FAT 12.0% min
CRUDE FIBER 3.5% max
Hill’s z/d cat food is also another popular recommendation from veterinarians. The proteins this cat food contains are highly digestible. This food also includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. As well as antioxidants to help boost immune support.
- Low protein cat food reviews: Read here what other pet owners are saying
This is one of the less popular best low protein cat food brands out there since the formulation isn’t specifically addressing kidney disease, but it does fit many felines with renal problems. You’ll need to discuss this with your vet. But not only is this option great for cats who need a low protein diet; Hill’s z/d is also great to help combat skin allergies. This formula is great for cats who have low sensitivity to cat food.
5 Farmina N&D Ancestral Cat Food
by Farmina
Guaranteed Analysis
CRUDE PROTEIN 36.0% min
CRUDE FAT 20.0% min
CRUDE FIBER 1.9% max
MOISTURE 8.0% max
As the fifth option among the best low protein cat food brands, Farmina’s dry cat food is a unique formula that will fit only some cats. Farmina N&D cat food is perfect for any life stage your cat is going through. This option includes low grain. It also includes italian chicken that is high quality.
- Low protein cat food reviews: Read here what other pet owners are saying
Note that this isn’t the very best low protein cat food for kidney disease for all cats due to the ingredients and the moisture ratio. However, it may fit some felines, and you’ll need to discuss this with your veterinarian. There’s also no added plant oils or peas in Farmina N&D cat food.
6 Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Cat Food
by Hill’s Science Diet
Guaranteed Analysis
CRUDE PROTEIN 26.0% min
CRUDE FAT 20.0% min
CRUDE FIBER 4.0% max
This is another cat food highly recommended by veterinarians. Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d cat food includes reduced levels of protein. It also includes reduced phosphorous and sodium. With a formula like this you’ll really be helping your cat’s kidneys.
- Low protein cat food reviews: Read here what other pet owners are saying
Hill’s Science Diet is the first pet food brand to start manufacturing health related diets specifically addressing certain illnesses in dogs and cats, and their best low protein cat food brands are some of the most popular. Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d cat food also includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. As well as B-complex vitamins. Which is perfect for urinary loss support.
7 Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein
by Royal Canin
Guaranteed Analysis
CRUDE PROTEIN 23.0% min
CRUDE FAT 18.0% min
CRUDE FIBER 5.6% max
MOISTURE 8.0% max
This hydrolyzed protein cat food is another great choice from Royal Canin. This food is made with hydrolyzed soy protein. Which is, in fact, easy for cats to digest. As you are aware of, being able to digest their food is super important for cats.
- Low protein cat food reviews: Read here what other pet owners are saying
In fact, this meal choice for your cat does quite the favor for your cat’s urinary tract system. The formula actually makes the urinary tract system somewhere crystals will have trouble forming.
Cats who develop crystals in their urine can end up with quite a load of problems. One huge problem is blocking the cat’s ability to urinate. As a result, the urine will back up resulting in the cat to become blocked. This situation can become life threatening for a cat fast.
8 Wellness Complete Health Turkey Formula Cat Food
by Wellness Natural Pet Food
Guaranteed Analysis
CRUDE PROTEIN 10.0% min
CRUDE FAT 5.5% min
CRUDE FIBER 1.0% max
MOISTURE 78.0% max
Wellness is another brand that is trusted among the pet industry. There’s no exception when it comes to their low protein cat food options. In fact, the first ingredient listed on the Wellness Complete Health Turkey Formula Cat Food is Turkey.
- Low protein cat food reviews: Read here what other pet owners are saying
This low protein cat food choice also includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. As well as taurine, which is great for heart and eyes health. In addition, you’ll only find low magnesium levels in this option. Low magnesium helps ensure that the urinary tract system is functioning properly.
9 Blue Natural Veterinary Diet KM Kidney
by Blue Natural Veterinary Diet
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein 4.5% (min.)
Crude Fat 3.0% (min.)
Crude Fiber 3.0% (max.)
Moisture 78.0% (max.)
Here’s an option you may have missed before. But, in fact the ingredients and analysis prove it’s one of the top choices on this list. All cat food processed by Blue Natural Veterinary Diet, including this choice, are natural and grain free. In fact, all of the products they manufacture are made in a human grade food facility.
- Low protein cat food reviews: Read here what other pet owners are saying
In addition to being grain free, this low protein cat food option also has limited carbohydrates. Plus, the first ingredient is tuna! All cat owners known how crazy cats go when they smell tuna. This is a cat food you definitely won’t feel guilty about feeding to your cat.
10 HI-TOR Neo Diet Cat Food
by Triumph Pet Foods
Guaranteed Analysis
CRUDE PROTEIN 11.00% min
CRUDE FAT 6.00% min
CRUDE FIBER 1.00% max
MOISTURE 78.00% max
Here’s another low protein cat food option you may have never heard of. HI-TOR Neo Diet Cat Food is protein, sodium, and phosphorous. You also won’t have to worry about any artificial coloring or flavors. That’s because this cat food doesn’t have any of that added.
- Low protein cat food reviews: Read here what other pet owners are saying
You’ll only find about 8.00% crude protein in this food. But, there are many vitamins mixed in the formula as well. You’ll find Vitamins E, A, D3, and B12 in this low protein cat food formula.
Quality over Quantity
The pet industry is a booming business. That’s why it’s no surprise at how many options are available for the best low protein cat food brands, with even more companies trying to find the most healthy formulas to satisfy the need of cat owners. But with that, finding the right food for your cat can become overwhelming. Especially if you end up having to go through several trials and errors. Going through many different cat foods can be costly.
The above mentioned best low protein cat food brands are some of the top rated vet recommended options we have on the market today. But there’s one important thing to remember when your trying to choose between many options of low protein cat food for kidney disease for your cat: quality, sources and ratio of ingredients.
For example, instead of looking at the protein percentage, look at where the protein is coming from. This is especially true when trying to find cat food with a protein source that is easy to digest for your feline. Also, the protein percentage you see on the cat food is a combination of all of the proteins in the formula. Remember that it’s not just the main protein that is listed on the label.
Protein that are ideal for cats include almost any animal source protein: chicken, fish, lamb, salmon, and turkey. Egg is in fact also another great source of protein for cats. It’s also easy to digest. You’ll want to make sure that an easy to digest protein is listed as the FIRST ingredient when looking through the best low protein cat food brands, even if there’s a lower percentage of it overall.
With that said, always remember that it’s quality over quantity when it comes to low protein cat food for kidney disease. It’s the quality of the ingredients, sources and ratio in the cat’s food that make the difference to fix the renal problems in your cat.
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