You might already know that phosphorus is a mineral that can be found in many foods, since it’s essential for maintaining good health. What’s low phosphorus cat food? The kidneys job is to regulate the amount of phosphorus. But, the problems happen with CKD cats, since their kidneys can no longer regulate the amount in the body, which can lead to high levels in the blood. In the world of medicine, this is called hyperphosphataemia.
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- Check out this fancy feast post: https://petsho.com/is-fancy-feast-good-for-cats/
Phosphorus Level for Cats
“What is the typical range?” is probably the first question that pops into your mind right now. A typical laboratory ranges levels is 2.5 – 7.5 mg/dl. But there’s one thing you need to know, that even a vet can forget about – if your cat is reaching the higher part of the range is not good, since the higher range applies for growing kittens. Your older cat’s levels should belong to the bottom half.
Healthy cat’s levels should belong to the lower part, but it’s even more important for a CKD cat.
Reducing Phosphorus and Kidney Disease
If your cat has kidney disease, you probably already know that you should restrict protein, but restricting phosphorus might be even more important. That’s why you should know the ways to understand the levels in the food. You should look for 0.3-0.6% on a “Dry Matter Basis” (DMB) or 0.7-1.26 grams per 1,000 calories. In most cases, the phosphorus content is not shown on the label, so you might need to call the manufacturer and make sure.
5 Low Phosphorus Cat Food
Fussie Cat Premium Chicken with Vegetables in Gravy Cat Food
This cat food, is based on chicken and vegetables in gravy and supports urinary tract health and lowers urine pH with low ash, magnesium, phosphorus. It doesn’t contain any seafood and is completely made with white meat chicken. It’s grain-free and rich in DHA.
Why It’s So Popular:
– Made in human consumables manufacturing plant
– All white meat chicken with no sea food
– Grain-free and rich in DHA
– low ash, magnesium
Check price and more details here
Keep In Mind:
– Some cats don’t like vegetables, especially peas
Purina ONE Urinary Tract Health Formula Dry Cat Food
This dry cat food is low phosphorus made with real chicken and 0% fillers. This formula helps maintain urinary tract health by reducing urinary pH and providing low magnesium. Omega-6 is good for the coat and skin while the crunchy kibble helps reduce plaque build-up and whiten teeth. It’s enriched with vitamins and minerals for strong bones and joints.
Why It’s So Popular:
– Made with real chicken
– Maintains urinary tract health
– Low magnesium and low phosphorus
– Contains Omega-6, good for the coat, skin and teeth
– Enriched with vitamins
Check price and more details here
Keep In Mind:
– Might not be suitable for small kittens
– Can sometimes cause diarrhea
Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Cat Food
This low phosphorus food comes in different flavours: Turkey, Chicken, Whitefish and Herring. It’s 100% natural grain free food for adult cats made with turkey, chicken, whitefish, herring, salmon oil and cranberries to help support your cat’s optimal health and fortified with antioxidants, probiotics, vitamins and minerals, including fish and flax omega blend for healthy skin and coat.
Why It’s So Popular:
– Four different flavours
– Made with real meat and low phosphorus
– Fortified with antioxidants, probiotics, vitamins and minerals and flax omega
Check price and more details here
Keep In Mind:
– Some cats might not like the flavour
Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Feline Urinary Tract Multicare, Chicken
This is is a complete and balanced low phosphorus food that provides all the nutrition cats need for proper bladder health. Comes with controlled levels of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and oxalate to help limit the building blocks of crystals and bladder stones. It’s rich in fish oil – a source of Omega-3 fatty acids. It also has added potassium citrate to help interrupt bladder stone formation and increased levels of vitamin B6 to help decrease oxalate formation.
Why It’s So Popular:
– Controlled levels of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and oxalate to help limit the building blocks of crystals and bladder stones
– Rich in fish oil – an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids
– Added potassium citrate
– Increased levels of vitamin B6
– Low sodium to maintain normal blood pressure
Check price and more details here
Keep In Mind:
– A bit pricey
Purina NF Kidney Function Cat Food
This is a nutritional, balanced low phosphorus cat food with reduced levels of phosphorus, salts, proteins and added potassium for bolster kidney health and to decrease risk of renal system failure. It’s a good source of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. It promotes a good urine pH level of 6.7-7.5. Comes with added B-complex vitamins.
Why It’s So Popular:
– Reduced sodium
– Source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
– Promotes a urine pH of 6.7-7.5 ad lib
– Added B-complex vitamins
Check price and more details here
Keep In Mind:
– A bit pricey
– Some cats just don’t like the taste
Eating Tips For Cats With Kidney Disease
One way to make sure your cat’s kidney disease is under control is to adjust it’s diet, especially regarding the intake of phosphorous, proteins and water. Here’s what to do:
- Make sure you avoid hyperphosphataemia by using only food that you’re sure has reduced levels of phosphorous. This way you will reduce the waste that kidneys have to work in order to filter the cat’s body.
- Avoid protein. Less protein lessens the kidney’s workload. As your cat reaches the advanced stages of kidney disease, make sure to lower the protein intake even more or restrict it completely.
- Increase the cat’s water intake. Even if your cat is perfectly healthy, hydration is really important. But cats with kidney disease get dehydrated more easily. To avoid this, feed your cat with wet food and fresh water for drinking.
Conclusion
Kidney problems can be a real pain. But by following the rules, regular check ups with the vet and the right diet you can maintain the phosphorus levels of your cat and help out its kidneys do their job. Hope you managed to find some great low phosphorus cat food!
Fussie Cat Premium Chicken with Vegetables in Gravy Cat Food has fish broth, so there’s some seafood. I wondered how you found out that that it was low phosphorus. The can doesn’t say. They specifically add phosphorus in the form of tricalcium phosphate, but it may be lower than other brands – they don’t disclose!
I have the same concerns as Melody. According to the Fussie Cat website: “Low in Sodium and high in Vitamin B6, Phosphorus, Niacin, and Selenium, our recipe provides both Omega-3 and Omega- 6 Fatty Acids, and a complete spectrum of vitamins and minerals.” This does not sound low-phosphorus to me.
My cats have been eating Weruva Paw-Lickin’ Chicken in Gravy, which is clearly labeled as phosphorus max 0.17%, similar to veterinary diets but without the pork byproducts.