Phosphorus content of cat food CNI: Important information

Did you know that the right diet can be crucial if your cat suffers from chronic kidney failure (CKD)?
Many cat owners are unsure how to optimally adjust the phosphorus content in their cat's food to protect their cat's kidneys.

The phosphorus content in cat food for CKD should be about 30 mg/kg body weight to relieve the strain on the kidneys.
In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about the role of nutrition in CKD, how to implement a kidney diet for your cat, the importance of phosphate reduction, and practical tips for changing your cat's diet.

Basics of Renal Insufficiency and Nutrition in Cats

Chronic kidney failure (CKD) is one of the most common conditions in older cats. It impairs the kidneys' ability to filter waste effectively, leading to a buildup of toxins in the blood. An appropriate diet plays a crucial role in the management of this condition, as it can help reduce the strain on the kidneys and improve the cat's quality of life.

The diet of a cat with CKD should be low in phosphorus and protein to reduce the strain on the kidneys. It is important that the food also provides enough calories to prevent weight loss. Working with a veterinarian is crucial to ensure that the food contains all the nutrients your cat needs while also reducing the strain on their kidneys.

Kidney Diet for Cats: What You Need to Know

A renal diet for cats aims to slow the progression of renal failure and alleviate symptoms. This is achieved by reducing the amount of phosphorus and protein in the diet without sacrificing the necessary nutrients. High-quality protein is particularly important because it is easier to digest and produces fewer waste products.

In addition to the reduction in protein and phosphorus, the diet should also have a high energy density to meet the cat's calorie needs. Vitamins and essential fatty acids such as omega-3 should also be part of the diet to reduce inflammation and improve renal blood flow. The transition to such a diet should be gradual to increase the cat's acceptance.

The Importance of Phosphate Reduction in Cat Food

Reducing phosphorus in cat food is crucial to slowing the progression of kidney failure. Phosphorus in high amounts can further damage the kidneys and lead to an imbalance in calcium-phosphate levels, which can cause additional health problems.

Phosphate binders can be used to reduce the phosphorus content in the diet by binding phosphate in the intestine and preventing its absorption. However, these should only be used under veterinary supervision, as over- or under-dosing can lead to further problems. Regular monitoring of phosphate levels in the blood is therefore essential.

Changing feed made easy: A step-by-step guide

The change to a kidney-friendly food should be done gradually to encourage your cat to accept it. Start by mixing small amounts of the new food into the usual food and slowly increase the amount over a period of about three weeks.

To increase the attractiveness of the new food, flavor enhancers such as tuna juice or a small amount of chicken broth can be added. It is important that the cat does not go hungry, so if the new food is completely refused, the old food should be given temporarily until better acceptance is achieved.

Recipe example: Low-phosphorus food for your cat

Here is a simple recipe for a low-phosphorus food that you can prepare for your cat at home. Take 100g of cooked chicken breast fillet, 30g of cooked carrots and 20g of cooked rice. The chicken meat is a good source of protein, while the rice and carrots are low in phosphorus, thus minimizing the burden on the kidneys.

To make the food more nutritious, you can add the following ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon of linseed oil for essential fatty acids
• A pinch of taurine, important for your cat's heart health
• A vitamin complex specially tailored to the needs of cats with CNI

These ingredients help meet your cat's nutritional needs while supporting their kidney health.

How Flappie can support your cat: Discover the benefits

Flappie can be a great help in promoting your cat's health by preventing your cat from bringing home prey. This means no unwanted elements will enter your cat's diet, which is especially important if your cat has CKD and requires a special diet.

Flappie 's smart cat flap not only offers selective access control and prey detection , but also the ability to monitor everything via the Flappie app. You'll receive notifications when your cat tries to come into the house with prey, allowing you to react quickly. Visit https://flappie.ch now to find out more and protect your cat.

Frequently Asked Questions

How high can the phosphorus content be in cat food?

The phosphorus content in cat food for chronic renal failure (CRF) should be about 30 mg/kg body weight.

How much phosphate for cat kidney failure?

For cats with chronic renal insufficiency, it is recommended to limit the phosphorus content in the diet to about 30 mg/kg body weight in order to relieve the strain on the kidneys.

How much phosphorus should cat food contain?

For cats with chronic renal insufficiency, cat food should have a phosphorus content of about 30 mg/kg body weight.

Which cat food has no phosphorus?

There is no cat food that is completely free of phosphorus, as phosphorus is an important nutrient. However, there are special diet foods with reduced phosphorus content for cats with kidney problems.