Everything about CNI food: Optimal nutrition for your cat

Have you ever heard of CKD in cats and are wondering how you can best support your beloved cat?
Proper nutrition is crucial if your cat has been diagnosed with chronic kidney failure (CKD).

A specially adapted kidney diet can help relieve the strain on the kidneys and significantly improve your cat's quality of life.
In this blog you will learn all about the different types of kidney diet food, their benefits and how you can optimally adapt your cat's diet to its needs.

The Importance of a Renal Diet in CNI

If your cat suffers from chronic renal failure (CKD), a special kidney diet is not only helpful, but often vital. This type of diet aims to relieve the parts of the kidneys that are still functioning and to slow the progression of the disease. By reducing harmful metabolic products and adjusting the nutrient composition, your cat's well-being can be significantly improved.

A kidney diet for cats with CKD is designed to meet the need for high-quality proteins without overloading the kidneys. The diet contains less phosphorus and protein, but enough energy to meet daily needs. Important vitamins and minerals are adjusted to compensate for losses caused by the disease. This special diet has been proven to have a positive effect on the life expectancy and quality of life of cats with kidney disease.

However, it is important that any change in diet is done in consultation with a veterinarian to ensure that the diet meets your cat's individual needs. The change should be made gradually to increase acceptance of the food. It can be helpful to mix the food with favorite foods at first to stimulate the cat's appetite.

Different types of kidney diet food

There are a variety of renal diet foods on the market that are specifically designed to meet the needs of cats with kidney disease. These products vary in the form of dry and wet food, each offering specific benefits. Dry food often has a longer shelf life and can be used conveniently for free feeding, while wet food has the advantage of providing additional fluids, which is particularly important in cases of CKD.

Most kidney diet foods contain high-quality protein that is easily digestible and have reduced phosphate and protein content. Brands like Royal Canin and Hill's offer specific recipes aimed at supporting kidney function. It's important to look at the quality and specific ingredients when purchasing to ensure the food meets your cat's health requirements.

Is a kidney diet appropriate for cats?

The question of whether a renal diet is appropriate for cats is often asked. Cats are naturally carnivores who require a high amount of protein in their diet. A renal diet reduces protein content to protect the kidneys, which raises concerns about the naturalness of this diet. Nevertheless, studies show that the benefits of such a diet, such as extending lifespan and improving quality of life, justify the adjustments.

It is important that the renal diet contains high-quality proteins that meet the cat's natural needs without causing unnecessary stress on the kidneys. Many veterinarians and nutrition experts confirm that a well-balanced renal diet provides the best support for cats with kidney disease and helps maintain and improve their quality of life.

Feeding tips for cats with oxalate stones

Cats with oxalate stones have special nutritional needs that must be addressed to support their health and prevent further stones from forming. Since there is no special diet food for oxalate stones, the focus is on careful selection of the regular food. It is important to ensure low carbohydrate content and avoid excess vitamin C and D.

Feeding several small meals throughout the day, rather than one large meal, can help keep urine pH more stable. This is especially important because fluctuating pH can promote the formation of oxalate stones. You should also make sure that the food contains moderate amounts of sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.

Adding liquid to the diet or using only wet food can help to thoroughly flush the bladder and kidneys. This is crucial to minimising the risk of oxalate stones. Encouraging good drinking habits by providing multiple water sources can also support urinary tract health.

Nutritional recommendations for cats with struvite stones

For cats prone to struvite stones, choosing the right food is crucial. The food should have low magnesium levels and avoid grains and high phosphate levels. Wet food is preferable as it helps to dilute the urine and prevent the formation of struvite stones.

Another important aspect is the calcium-phosphorus ratio , which should ideally be between 1.1 and 1.2:1. In addition, the cat should be encouraged to drink a lot to further dilute the urine and keep the pH low. This can be achieved by enriching the food with water or by providing cat fountains.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which food for CNI?

For cats with chronic renal failure (CKD), a special kidney diet is recommended. This diet contains less phosphorus and protein, but provides enough energy and is rich in important vitamins and minerals that are specifically tailored to the needs of cats with kidney disease. There are both dry and wet food options that are suitable for cats with CKD.

What do you feed cats with kidney disease?

Cats with kidney disease should be fed a special kidney diet that contains high-quality proteins in reduced amounts to relieve the kidneys. These diets are designed to cover daily needs without overloading the kidneys and to compensate for important nutrient losses. It is important to change the diet gradually and in consultation with a veterinarian.

What to feed in case of kidney failure?

In cases of renal insufficiency, a renal diet for cats is ideal, which contains little phosphorus and protein but provides enough energy. There are special renal diet foods in both dry and wet form, which aim to relieve the kidneys and improve the cat's quality of life.

What shouldn't cats with kidney problems eat?

Cats with kidney problems should avoid foods that contain high amounts of phosphorus and proteins, as these can place additional strain on the kidneys. It is important to use special kidney diet foods that contain these ingredients in reduced amounts and are specifically designed for the needs of cats with kidney disease.