kidney disease
Special needs diets – Don't kid around with kidney disease
by Audi Donamor

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Feeding the kidney compromised animal
Cats
One question that’s often asked when it comes to cats and kidney disease, is should you restrict your cat’s protein? Some studies have demonstrated that decreasing protein consumption has no effect on chronic renal disease; further research suggests it may even cause more damage to your cat’s kidneys and other major organs. As well, because cats are picky eaters at the best of times, yours may simply walk away from a restrictive diet, so the bottom line is to feed him whatever he likes, and not overly concern yourself with the percentage of protein.

It is very important, though, to ensure your cat is fed a moisture-rich diet. Commercial dry foods simply can’t adequately meet the needs of a cat with chronic renal failure. A homemade diet is your best line of defense, along with special supplementation recommended by a holistic vet, to further support your cat’s kidney function.

In Home-Prepared Dog and Cat Diets: The Healthful Alternative, author Dr. Donald R. Strombeck offers a variety of easy-to-follow recipes for cats with chronic renal failure. You can choose from a chicken and rice based diet, to beef and potato, or tuna, clams, and rice. It’s as simple as combining 3 ounces of tuna with 1/2 ounce of canned clams, 1/2 cup of cooked long grain rice, 1/8 teaspoon of salt substitute (potassium chloride), 11/2 calcium carbonate tablets or 600 mg of calcium from ground egg shells, 1/4 multiple vitamin-mineral tablet, and 1/10 of a B-complex vitamin-trace mineral tablet. Choose organic ingredients where possible.

Try to include whole grains in your cat’s diet, as they provide a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Nutrients from vegetables like beets help cleanse the blood, while carrots aid in maintaining healthy fluid levels.

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Published in the October/November 2005 issue of Animal Wellness