The right food can help prevent and manage kidney concerns
The 3coty® Care line of foods is tailored to help owners choose the right food for specific health issues. The newly launched Kidney Care product is designed to support kidney function in cats suffering from, or at risk of renal problems.
Poor kidney function is common in older cats all over the world. After obesity and diabetes, renal problems are some of the most common health issues we encounter. Owners rightly want to feed the best possible food to help their ageing pets. With our reputation for developing cat foods focussed on feline health, many customers have approached us about a product specifically directed at cats with renal problems. So here it is – our new number 53. CHICKEN + DUCK Kidney Care.
Kidneys and what they do?
We all know more or less what kidneys look like and where they are in a human or cat’s body. But do we really know what they do? We know they make urine that we and other animals release from our bodies but why and how?
The output may be best known, but the most important kidney function is to remove waste products from the bloodstream. This process also regulates certain essential mineral levels such as potassium and sodium, manages water levels which affects blood pressure and finally produces urine.
What is chronic kidney disease (CKD)?
A progressive condition where the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste, balance electrolytes, and maintain hydration. It develops gradually and is more common in older cats. Kidneys are very flexible. It takes months or even years before kidney disease is evident. That’s why it is mainly a problem in mature and senior cats. It affects approx. 30-40% of cats over 10 years and over 80% of cats over 15 years. However, there are cat breeds such as Persians, Exotics, and British Shorthairs, who are more prone to kidney problems at a younger age (3-7 years old).
Diet has a significant impact on a cat’s kidney function and the development of chronic kidney disease. The type, quality, and balance of nutrients in a cat’s diet can influence the workload on the kidneys and affect overall kidney health. Long-term feeding of dry cat food can potentially negatively affect kidney function. This is caused by the low moisture content, insufficient amounts of water/liquid intake, and higher levels of phosphorus, salt and fillers, which are likely to contribute to kidney stress and risk of kidney problems. Additional factors in developing CKD are age, genetics, breed predisposition and other medical conditions that affect kidney function.
So that’s why we are introducing a renal diet. To help cat owners deal with the problem before it becomes a huge problem. If your cat gives even small signals of kidney disease we recommend starting to feed a renal diet to support kidney health.
For the 3coty® renal diet, we have chosen the best quality ingredients that will support the kidney needs of your cat. We balance the muscle and fat content of our meat from certified suppliers to ensure the best protein/fat balance and low phosphorus content.
Have you noticed your cat drinking less? Blood tests from your vet can identify kidney stress before it develops into chronic kidney disease.
Key components of a renal diet for cats
- Reduced Protein: Lowering protein intake can help reduce the workload on the kidneys. However, the protein should still be of high quality to ensure your cat gets essential amino acids.
- Low Phosphorus: Phosphorus can be harmful in excess for cats with kidney issues, so a diet low in phosphorus is beneficial.
- Moderate Fat: Increased fat content can help maintain caloric intake since protein and carbohydrates might be limited but it should be below 10% to help control good health of the pancreas
- Highly Digestible Ingredients: Foods that are easier to digest help in reducing the overall stress on the kidneys.
- Increased Moisture: Cats with kidney problems benefit from increased hydration, so wet food or adding water to dry food can help.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These may help support kidney function and reduce inflammation.
- Balanced Vitamins and Minerals: Vitamin B and certain antioxidants may be included to support overall health.
