Regimen

Dry Food Lover

If your cat loves dry food and refuses wet renal food, then dry renal food is an excellent alternative. Perfect for cats with a recent CKD diagnosis, if you start here, today, you and your loving cat are well on your ways in managing CKD. If your cat is indifferent to whether if wet or dry food is served, then wet food is always preferred due to its additional moisture, highly beneficial for CKD cats.

Renal Dry Food

"An excellent alternative to renal wet food"
  • Reduced phosphorus & sodium, enriched with omega-3 fatty acids.
  • ActivBiome+ Kidney Defense, a proprietary blend shown to activate the gut microbiome to help protect kidney function.
  • Prescription Diet k/d Feline is a clinically proven line of renal products¹: "...it significantly reduced the number of uraemic episodes and reduced renal-related mortality when compared with a maintenance diet, without inducing significant adverse events"

¹Acceptance and effects of a therapeutic renal food in pet cats with chronic kidney disease

Phosphorus Binder

"supports renal function by reducing phosphate absorption"
  • Give the cat 1 stick per day with its food, each stick contains 520 mg smart lanthanum carbonate granules.
  • Lanthanum carbonate is recommended by the IRIS for phosphate reduction from IRIS stage II onwards¹.
  • Catney One is a leading phosphorus binder, its active substance is lanthanum carbonate instead of calcium, found in many alternative products that could cause hypercalcemia in CKD cats.
  • The FEEDAP Panel, from request of the European Commission, concluded that the additive (lanthanum carbonate octahydrate) is efficacious as a phosphate binder in adult cats without side effects when given in recommended doses².

¹Catney One Website
²Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of lanthanum carbonate octahydrate (Lanthan One) for cats (Porus GmbH)

Renaltec

"...binds protein byproducts in the intestines"
  • Porus One binds protein byproducts in the intestines where they are excreted in the feces. This binding process helps to keep the byproducts from being converted into uremic toxins, which supports kidney health¹.
  • Significant decreases in serum indoxyl sulfate(IDS) and p-cresol sulfate (pCS) concentrations were observed in a 2024 study².

¹Porus One Sell Sheet
²The Effect of Renaltec on Serum Uremic Toxins in Cats with Experimentally Induced Chronic Kidney Disease

Amino Acids

"...contains a patented ingredient that helps maintain the health of aging kidneys"
  • AminAvast® contains AB070597, a patented ingredient created through a proprietary process using amino acids and a peptide.
  • Cats and dogs have seen benefits within weeks of starting AminAvast®.
  • "BUN, Cre, and phosphorus levels increased significantly in the placebo group...were not significantly changed in the AB070597 group"¹

¹Efficacy of oral AB070597 for the management of chronic kidney disease in cats: a prospective, randomised, controlled parallel-group study

Herbal Extract

"A vet-recommended kidney supplement formulated with antioxidants and botanicals"
  • Give 2 chewable tablets/day. Divided between AM & PM. The tablets can be crushed and spread over cat food.
  • Contains Rehmannia Glutinosa, Astragalus root, Cordyceps sinensis, DMG, Nettle leaf extract, B Vitamins, and DHA/EPA, resulting in a comprehensive kidney supplement to help maintain optimal feline renal health.

Renal Medication

"First veterinary drug approved for CKD management"
  • 1 tablet of RAPROS® should be administered twice a day, after meals.
  • Toray RAPROS is the first veterinary drug approved for CKD management. Currently approved in Japan and Hong Kong with an ongoing clinical trial in Europe¹.
  • RAPROS® inhibited increase in serum creatinine and BUN².
  • RAPROS® improved anorexia and loss of body weight. It also improved hypoactivity².

¹Toray Launches European Clinical Trial of RAPROS® to Treat Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats
²A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized Study of Beraprost Sodium Treatment for Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease

If your cat tolerates a little or some specific brand of wet food then mix in supplements with that. Otherwise consider pouring a little water or renal-safe broth together with the dry food before adding the supplement. This helps powders adhere evenly and makes the food easier to eat.
CKD cats are notoriously picky, and it's normal if they turn up their noses at renal food at first. The key is consistency and patience. Offer the food at regular times, avoid switching too often, and give your cat a chance to adjust. Cats might reject renal foods based on their flavor and texture, in that case, try a similar product from the same brand, or from any brand, matter of fact. The key detail is that your cat is eating and continues to eat. Do not let the introduction of a new food disturb that.
Absolutely. Foods, supplements, and medications part of regimens are mere recommendations for you to build upon. CKD cats are picky, so it's normal if they skip a particular flavor or texture. Focus on providing the foods she will eat consistently to meet her nutritional needs. If the renal, wet or dry food, is refused, please consider the regimen, "No Renal" Renal, a supplement-heavy regimen that attempts to provide and balance nutrition with a non-renal diet.
Improvements vary by cat and condition. You may notice changes in energy and coat within a few weeks, but lab values like bloodwork can take several months to reflect the benefits. Consistency with the regimen is key to seeing results. On the other hand, no food, supplement, and medication can guarantee results. The best course of action is offer a wide range of nutritious products in the hopes that some or hopefully all deliver improvements.
This regimen is designed for cats with CKD, but every cat is unique. If your cat has other health conditions like hyperthyroidism or IBD, it's best to consult your veterinarian before starting. They can ensure renal products are safe and appropriate for your cat's specific needs.
It's best to limit treats and human food while your cat is on any renal regimen. Extra foods can unbalance the nutrients and affect CKD management. If you want to follow a renal plan to a T, choose vet-approved renal treats. However, listen to you and listen to your cat, sometimes a small treat or something small off your plate, is just what your little fighter deserves.
Dry Food Lover