Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a prevalent health issue in cats, characterized by the gradual decline of kidney function. While there's no definitive cure, dietary modification plays a crucial role in managing the condition and improving the cat's quality of life. This article explores the benefits of homemade diets for cats with kidney disease, providing a recipe and essential considerations for creating a balanced and kidney-friendly meal plan.
Understanding Feline Kidney Disease
The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste products from the bloodstream. When they fail to function correctly, these waste products accumulate, leading to disease. CKD is the most common form of kidney disease in cats, but other conditions like polycystic kidney disease (PKD) can also affect kidney function. PKD is an inherited condition where cysts grow in the kidneys, causing progressive damage. Diagnosis of kidney disease typically involves blood tests and urinalysis to evaluate kidney function.
The Role of Diet in Managing Kidney Disease
Dietary modification is a cornerstone of managing feline kidney disease. Therapeutic diets are available commercially in both dry and wet forms, but homemade diets offer a viable alternative, providing control over ingredients and nutrient levels.
Key Dietary Considerations:
- Protein: While a low-protein diet was once the standard recommendation, extreme protein restriction can lead to muscle loss and poor body condition. It's crucial to find a balance, providing enough protein to meet the cat's needs without overworking the kidneys.
- Phosphorus: When kidneys fail, they can't efficiently filter out phosphorus. High phosphorus levels in the blood accelerate kidney function decline. Therefore, diets should be low in phosphorus.
- Sodium: High sodium intake can increase blood pressure and potentially worsen kidney damage. Therapeutic diets for kidney disease are typically low in sodium.
- Moisture: Cats with kidney disease often urinate more, increasing the risk of dehydration. Ensuring adequate moisture intake is vital. Canned or homemade diets with high moisture content can help.
Benefits of Homemade Diets:
- Quality Control: Homemade diets allow complete control over the ingredients, ensuring high-quality, fresh components.
- Dietary Restrictions and Allergies: Homemade diets can be tailored to address specific nutritional needs or allergies that commercial foods may not accommodate.
- Health Benefits: A customized homemade diet can support overall health, including weight management, dental health, and specific conditions like kidney disease or digestive issues.
- Freshness and Taste: Fresh ingredients can make the food more appealing to cats, encouraging them to eat.
- Bonding and Engagement: Preparing homemade food can strengthen the bond between you and your cat.
Homemade Kidney-Friendly Cat Food Recipe
This recipe, developed by Dr. Meredith Wall, BA, BVSc, is specifically formulated for cats with kidney disease. It's crucial to follow the directions carefully, as swapping ingredients can alter the nutrient composition.
Ingredients:
- Cooked chicken
- Brown rice
- Salt
- Salt substitute (potassium chloride)
- Calcium carbonate supplements
- Taurine
- Bone meal
- Multivitamins
- Vitamin K
- Renal Essentials - Kidney Support for Cats
- CoQ10
Instructions:
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly then add the psyllium husk powder and fish oil.
- Prepare the Chicken Meat. Place the chicken legs in a steamer in a crock pot and cook on low heat. Once the legs are cooked and cooled somewhat, peel the skin and remove the meat and gristle from the bones.
- Prepare Other Ingredients. Once the chicken has been taken out of the strainer, pour the fat into a container to use in the recipe. The peeled skin gets dehydrated for a few hours and used later. Put the bones back in the crock pot with the remains of the drippings, add water, and let cook for several hours to make a broth, also for the recipe. Brown rice should be cooked somewhere along the way. Once the broth is complete, take the bones out and dehydrate them. When they are dry, use a mortar and pestle to pound them into smaller pieces, then use a blender to make bone meal.
- Mixing: First Steps. Blend the rice thoroughly with the food. One way to make this happen, if you don't have a Vitamix blender is to let the rice soak for a while (especially if you have cooked and refrigerated it) and then blend it in liquid, either broth or water, until it makes a nice blended mush. Crush up the crushable supplements in mortar and pestle.
- Mixing: Next Steps. Once the chicken and rice are blended, add the fat, potassium chloride salt substitute, salt, bone meal powder, calcium carbonate/baking soda per batch. Then vitamins & renal supplements.
- Experimental Additive. Since the cat was losing weight, the additive is chia seeds.
Feeding Tips:
- This recipe makes about 1 kg (2.2 pounds) of food. Freeze portions to maintain freshness.
- Refrigerate fresh food for only 3 to 5 days.
- Consider portioning the food into balls before freezing.
- Invest in the recommended supplements, as they will last through multiple batches.
- Do not substitute supplements without consulting your veterinarian.
Additional Considerations
- Hydration: Ensure your cat has access to fresh, clean water at all times. Consider adding water to the food to increase moisture intake.
- Supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids from wild fish can help reduce inflammation. Probiotics may also support kidney function.
- Regular Veterinary Checkups: Cats with kidney disease require regular vet appointments to monitor blood work and disease progression. Blood work helps track the effectiveness of medications.
- Transitioning to a New Diet: Introduce the new diet gradually to avoid digestive upset.
- Avoid Dry Food: Dry food is dehydrating and puts a strain on the kidneys. Opt for canned, raw, or homemade diets.
Potential Pitfalls of Homemade Diets
While homemade diets offer many advantages, they also have potential drawbacks:
Read also: Kidney-Friendly Cat Food Explained
- Nutritional Imbalances: It's crucial to ensure the diet is nutritionally complete and balanced. Many homemade recipes don't meet all of the National Research Council's recommended allowances for adult animals.
- Time and Labor: Preparing homemade cat food is time-consuming and requires careful attention to detail.
- Risk of Contamination: Proper food handling and hygiene are essential to prevent bacterial contamination.
Read also: Guide to Raw Feeding for Cats
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