This review aims to guide you to some of the best low-protein cat food that can be found on cat food shelves.
As a feline Nutritionist and pet owner, I have bought various foods for my cats. My main concern always was; how to provide the best nutrition for my pet.
I believe that our pets deserve the best possible food that we can provide.
In this article, I aim to show:
- Top best low protein cat foods,
- What to look for when buying low protein cat food,
- Difference between diets and what they aim to treat,
- Signs and prevention of kidney problems in cats.
So you can make an informed choice if particular cat food is best for your pet.
With so many options available on cat food shelves, it is easy to be overwhelmed with the best low protein cat food.
I recommend Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Renal Support D Thin Slices in Gravy Canned Cat Food as the best low protein cat food overall.
But every cat is different. So I researched the best low protein cat food formulas to help you make the best decision for your cat.
Let’s see our picks.
Best Low Protein Cat Food
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Renal Support D Thin Slices in Gravy Canned Cat Food (Best Low Protein Cat Food Overall)
Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care with Chicken Dry Cat Food (Best Dry Low Protein Cat Food)
Forza10 Nutraceutic Active Kidney Renal Support Diet Dry Cat Food (Best Non-prescription Low Protein Cat Food)
Best Low Protein Cat Food Reviewed
Find below foods that I find to be the best low protein formulas.
All formulas meet AAFCO Guidelines for pet food.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Renal Support D Thin Slices in Gravy Canned Cat Food
First five ingredients:
Water Sufficient For Processing, Chicken By-Products, Chicken Liver, Pork Liver, Chicken
Type of product:
Low-Protein, Pea-Free, Veterinary Diet
Food form:
Wet food/ Chunks in Gravy
Best For:
- Veterinary-exclusive wet cat food to support kidney health
- Made for Adult cats.
Key Benefits:
- Help stimulate appetite in cats and encourage eating.
- Helps compensate for decreased appetite with a highly palatable energy-dense formula to reduce meal volume.
- Helps promote kidney function with a precise antioxidant complex, fatty acids from fish oil, low phosphorus, and targeted protein levels.
- This formula uses BPA-free cans.
By-products, the ingredient contains the identified meat, plus some of the internal organs. An example of this would be chicken by-products, which would consist of chicken meat, plus some of the internal organs. As the liver is a good source of iron, these internal organs provide a highly digestible and readily absorbable source of some minerals.
0.09% Phosphorus content on an as fed basis (0.44% on a dry matter basis),
7.18% Protein content on an as fed basis (34.21% on a dry matter basis),
0.10% Sodium content on an as-fed basis (0.49% on a dry matter basis).
0.23% Omega-3 content on an as-fed basis ( 1.09% on a dry matter basis).
This product is available in Dry Food Formula.
Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care with Chicken Dry Cat Food
First five ingredients:
Brown Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken, Pork Fat, Whole Grain Wheat
Type of product:
Veterinary Diet
Food form:
Dry food
Best For:
- Adult cats
- Cats with kidney problems.
Key Benefits:
- Protects vital kidney and heart function and supports the natural ability to build lean muscle daily.
- Stimulate the appetite and increase caloric intake.
- Made with controlled phosphorus and low sodium, plus therapeutic levels of l-carnitine and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Also includes high levels of essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein.
- Clinically tested to improve and lengthen the quality of life.
Wet food is recommended to support kidney health in cats for its high moisture content. You can add water or broth (suitable for cats) to make dry kibble softer and water content.
Other ingredient volumes essential to note:
-The Phosphorous amount in this food is 0.52%.
-1.05% Omega-3 Fatty Acids dry matter.
–Protein content of 26%.
–Sodium 0.25% on a dry matter basis.
This product is available in Wet Food Formula
Forza10 Nutraceutic Active Kidney Renal Support Diet Dry Cat Food
First five ingredients:
Rice, Hydrolyzed Fish Protein, Hydrolyzed Potato Protein, Anchovy Meal, Vegetable Oil
Type of product:
No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Limited Ingredient Diet, Non-GMO, GMO-Free, Chicken-Free, Natural, Low-Protein
Food form:
Dry Food
Best For:
- Adult cats,
- For cats with kidney and heart problems.
Key Benefits:
- Made with limited ingredients and no corn, wheat, soy, by-product meals, or artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives to avoid allergies and intolerances.
- Single-source, antibiotic-free protein, and non-GMO ingredients are good for cats with sensitivities.
- Formulated with therapeutic plants and fruit extracts as well as wild-caught anchovy for holistic health and well-being.
- Contains an optimal balance of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
- This food has kibble that is close to the size of a green pea
0.8% Phosphorus content on an as fed basis
265 Protein
0.24% Sodium
0.9% Omega 3
3.5% Omega 6
Wet food is recommended to support urinary health in cats for its high moisture content. You can add water or broth (suitable for cats) to make dry kibble softer and increase the water.
This product is available in Wet Food Formula.
Best buy guide
Signs and symptoms of kidney problems and CKD.
- Weakness.
- Weight loss.
- Lack of appetite.
- Bad breath.
- Diarrhea (may contain blood)
- Vomiting (may contain blood)
- Dehydration.
If you notice any of these signs in your cat, see your veterinarian immediately.
If your cat has had kidney problems or has been diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), you have likely been advised by your veterinarian to feeding your pet low protein cat food.
What to look for in low protein cat food?
Nutrition plays a vital role in managing CKD in cats. There are four core goals for managing CKD in cats:
- Control the clinical signs associated with accumulating waste products in the blood,
- Minimize problems with fluid and mineral balance,
- Sustain adequate nutrition,
- Modify/slow the progression of CKD.
What are the nutritional requirements for cats with CKD?
Increase Water Intake
Cats with kidney problems have decreased ability to eliminate toxins from their body through urine. Usually, cats with kidney problems have increased thirst to help the body get rid of toxins. It is crucial to provide increased water availability and interest.
Canned food
To increase water intake with food.
Water bowl
Change the water several times per day. Water fountain- to increase the cat’s interest in water consumption.
Food
By decreasing protein in your cat’s diet, you might be able to slow the disease down.
With a low protein diet, kidneys can work less on excreting protein waste products.
The recommended range of protein on a dry matter basis for cats with CKD is 28-35%. However, if protein intake is too low, CKD will start to break down muscle mass.
Phosphorus
Limiting dietary phosphorus in cats with CKD appears to help delay CKD progression, although the precise mechanism is unknown.
The recommended phosphorus range on a dry matter basis for cats with CKD is 0.3-0.6%.
Sodium
Dietary sodium levels are mildly restricted to reduce the workload on the kidneys.
Recommended Sodium on a dry matter basis is ≤0.4%.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Creates inflammatory properties to help CKD slow down.
It is crucial to address a cat’s kidney problem as soon as possible. Speak to your veterinarian if low protein cat food could benefit your cat.
In conclusion.
If your cat has been diagnosed with kidney disease, it is crucial to start treatment right away.
The main compound is nutrition. We suggest Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Renal Support D Thin Slices in Gravy Canned Cat Food as the best low protein cat food overall.
This formula is designed to make your cat feel better. It’s essential to feed your cat a veterinary-approved diet with the right balance of vitamins and minerals.
Choose the best low-protein cat food now.
