What Does Low Phosphorus Cat Food do?

Kidney disease in cats can be a nightmare to pet parents. However, feeding your cat the correct low-phosphorus cat food goes a long way in managing this condition. Using cat food for kidney disease is the surest way to minimize symptoms, delay the disease’s progression, and give your cat a healthy life.

This article discusses the nine best low-phosphorus cat foods many veterinarians recommend worldwide. Let’s dive in.

Types of Low Phosphorus Cat Foods: Pros and Cons

There are various low-phosphorus cat foods, so you should know their pros and cons before choosing. Depending on their characteristics and if a prescription is necessary, we can group them into these categories:

Based on Whether or Not They Require a Prescription

Prescription Type

These low-phosphorus cat foods comprise carefully measured amounts of each ingredient in the formulation. You need a prescription from your veterinarian to buy these kinds of cat food.

Pros

They have special formulations and ingredient proportions that benefit cats with a chronic kidney disease

You get a professional’s opinion before purchasing

Cons

They are more expensive than regular cat foods

Non-Prescription Type

You can buy non-prescription low-phosphorus cat foods over the counter without a vet’s prescription. Cats with kidney illness shouldn’t typically eat this kind of cat food. Yet, they are suitable for usage in such circumstances because of their ingredient formulation.

Pros

They are cheaper

They are easier to find

No prescription is needed when buying

Cons

Deciding on the best choice could be challenging since no professional opinion exists

Based on Nature

Wet Low-Phosphorus Cat Food

These low-phosphorus cat foods often come in cans and require refrigeration. Moreover, they usually have high moisture content.

Pros

They provide high nutrition

They have great taste and flavor

They hydrate your cat

Cons

They easily go rancid when opened

They are expensive

Dry Low Phosphorus Cat Food

Dry, low-phosphorus cat foods are the most common cat foods available. They do not require refrigeration. They usually come in bags and boxes.

Pros

They last longer

They are affordable

They are ideal for cats with dental issues

Cons

They have low protein content.

They cause dehydration.

The Hot Favorite in Our Opinion

Looking at our low phosphorus cat food list, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline Renal Support E Loaf In Sauce Canned Cat Food  is our favorite hot pick. This cat food has a rich salmon flavor and high protein content. It stimulates your cat’s appetite, controls inflammation, and boosts kidney function. This product is also grain-free, gluten-free, and carrageenan-free.

Our Picks at a Glance

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline Renal Support E Loaf In Sauce Canned Cat Food : Best overall

Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care Chicken & Vegetable Stew Wet Cat Food : Best for kidney care

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function Early Care Feline Formula Adult Wet Cat Food : Best value for money

Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet K+M Kidney + Mobility Support Dry Cat Food : Best dry cat food

Wet Cat Food Kidney RENAL ACTIWET with Lamb 3.5oz, Adult Cat Food Wet, Renal Support Canned Cat Food : Best for renal Support

Weruva TruLuxe Cat Food, Steak Frites Dinner with Beef & Pumpkin in Gravy Cat Food : Best premium wet cat food

Fussie Cat Super Premium Chicken & Vegetables Formula in Gravy Grain-Free Wet Cat Food : Best all-natural wet cat food

Wellness Healthy Indulgence Morsels With Chicken & Chicken Liver in Savory Sauce Cat Food : Best multi-flavored wet cat food

Hill’s Science Diet Wet Cat Food, Adult 7+ for Senior Cats, Chunks & Gravy Tender Chicken Recipe Cat Food : Best grain-inclusive cat food

Unpacking our Favorite Feline Low Phosphorus Cat Foods

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline Renal Support E Loaf In Sauce Canned Cat Food : Best Overall

Brand: Royal Canin

Form: Wet

Lifestage: Adult

Flavor/s: Seafood

Size/s: 5.8 ounces (165 grams)

Package form: Can

Fat content: 5.1% (min)

Protein content: 9.0% (max)

First five ingredients: Water, pork by-products, chicken by-products, brewers rice, chicken

Vet approved: Yes

Prescription required: Yes

Recommended use/s: Renal support

Special diet considerations: Pea-free, low-protein, veterinary diet

Our rating out of five: 4.9

Product Description

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet is an enticing low-phosphorus wet cat food that stimulates appetite in cats. Its rich palatable energy formula aids in compensation for diminished appetite. Made with salmon flavor, this product contains 9.0% protein and 5.1% fat. Additionally, it contains fish oil (omega-3 fatty acids) that are essential for inflammation control.

This gravy-style high protein low-phosphorus cat food has 0.15% phosphorus level, just the right amount needed to control toxic accumulation in your cat’s bloodstream. This product uses what the manufacturer calls a “carefully curated antioxidant complex” formula to help keep your pet’s kidneys healthy and well functioning.

Pros

It promotes kidney function

Reduces inflammation

The high-energy formula keeps cats muscular and strong

Good for renal support

Cons

Not all cats love gravy-style foods

Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care Chicken & Vegetable Stew Wet Cat Food : Best for Kidney Care

Brand: Hill’s Prescription Diet

Form: Wet

Lifestage: Adult

Flavor/s: Chicken, vegetable stew

Size/s: 2.9 ounces (82.21 grams)

Package form: Can

Fat content: 24.4%

Protein content: 29.8%

First five ingredients: Water, chicken, pork liver, carrots, rice, rice starch, spinach

Vet approved: Yes

Prescription required: Yes

Recommended use/s: Kidney care

Special diet considerations: Veterinary diet, grain-inclusive

Our rating out of five: 4.7

Product Description

Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care Chicken & Vegetable Stew Wet Cat Food is a specially-formulated kidney care cat dietary component. It’s made by Hill’s nutritionists and vets. 

This canned food is ideal for safeguarding your cat’s essential kidney function.

This product is a clinically proven formula that improves the quality of life of your pet. It contains whole and healthy nutrients with more essential amino acids to assist your cat’s innate capacity to develop lean muscle (compared to AAFCO requirements).

This canned food contains healthful ingredients that most cats love. It comes in various moist forms and tastes that even the pickiest eaters can’t resist.

This wet cat food contains 29.8% protein and 24.4% fat. Furthermore, it is low in phosphorus and magnesium, making it suitable for your cat’s kidney care. It is also ideal for boosting your cat’s appetite and muscle growth.

Pros

It aids in protecting vital kidney function

It contains high levels of L-carnitine and essential amino acids

It promotes a healthy immune system

It is available in a variety of flavors and wet forms

Cons

It is expensive

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function Early Care Feline Formula Adult Wet Cat Food : Best Value for Money

Brand: Purina

Form: Wet

Lifestage: Adult

Size/s: 5.5 ounces (156 grams)

Package form: Can

Fat content: 3.0% crude fat (min)

Protein content: 6.5% crude fat (max)

First five ingredients: Water, meat by-products, liver, rice, powdered cellulose

Vet approved: Yes

Prescription required: Yes

Recommended use/s: Healthy kidneys

Special diet considerations: Low-protein, pea-free, veterinary diet, grain-inclusive

Our rating out of five: 4.7 

Product Description

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function Advanced Care Feline Formula Adult Wet Cat Food is an advanced cat food low in phosphorus and magnesium for kidney care. 

This product is excellent for your cat’s hydration and healthy kidneys. It contains omega-3 fatty acids and is a rich source of Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). 

This feline recipe from Purina contains low-phosphorus ingredients and moderate protein levels to support the specific dietary requirements of cats with renal issues. This nutrition is a product of collaboration among expert nutritionists and veterinarians in Purina laboratories.

This product has a unique flavor and texture to aid in sufficient nutrient intake. Each ingredient used is natural and traceable. Purina guarantees quality ingredients from the source to the end product.

Pros

It has great taste and texture

It provides advanced kidney support for your cat

Cons

It has carrageenan, which may cause inflammation

Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet K+M Kidney + Mobility Support Dry Cat Food : Best Dry Cat Food

Amazon’s Choice in Dry Cat Food by Blue Buffalo

Brand: Blue Buffalo

Form: Dry

Lifestage: Adult

Flavor/s: Chicken

Size/s: 7 pounds (3.17 kilograms) pack of 1, 5.5 ounces (156 grams) pack of 24

Package form: Bag

Fat content: 18% crude fat

Protein content: 26% crude protein

First five ingredients: Deboned chicken, peas, potato starch, pea starch, dried egg

Vet approved: Yes

Prescription required: Yes

Recommended use/s: Kidney health and mobility support

Special diet considerations: corn-free, soy-free, wheat-free

Our rating out of five: 4.4

Product Description

Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet K+M Kidney + Mobility Support Dry Cat Food is a unique formulation that promotes your cat’s renal function and provides joint care. With chicken as its first ingredient, it packs high-quality protein, minerals, and vitamins to help minimize your cat’s kidney workload. This renal support cat food only contains the best natural ingredients.  

This dry cat food includes glucosamine and chondroitin to help your cat’s joint health and mobility. Lastly, it does not contain artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.

Pros

It is effective for joint health and mobility support

It helps control kidney workload

It is a natural diet

Cons

Dry food might not be enticing to senior cats

Wet Cat Food Kidney RENAL ACTIWET with Lamb 3.5oz, Adult Cat Food Wet, Renal Support Canned Cat Food : Best for Renal Support

Brand: Forza10

Form: Wet

Lifestage: Adult

Flavor/s: Lamb

Size/s: 3.5 ounces (99.22 grams)

Package form: Tins

Fat content: 5.0% crude fat (min)

Protein content: 5.7% crude protein (min)

First five ingredients: Water, lamb lung, chicken, lamb liver, pork liver, rice

Vet approved: Yes

Prescription required: No

Recommended use/s: Renal Support, kidney care

Special diet considerations: Non-GMO, wheat-free, soy-free

Our rating out of five: 4.6

Product Description

Forza10’s Renal Actiwet wet cat food contains pasture-raised New Zealand lamb. It is a wonderful recipe for kidney care. It includes a variety of minerals, vitamins, and fruits that not only help treat your feline companion’s sensitive stomach but also make it taste great.

This canned cat food is ideal for supporting your feline with renal and cardiac issues. It is excellent for conditions needing low protein, phosphorus, and salt diets, such as chronic or acute renal failure, congestive heart failure, etc. It contains ingredients that are 100% natural and safe for your cat’s kidney.

This naturally balanced cat food is easily digestible and made with fewer ingredients than other canned foods on the market. Also, it is free of GMOs, by-products, maize, wheat, soy, artificial colors, flavors, and chemical preservatives.

Formulated and supported by science, each cat food can contain a recipe from renowned nutritionists and veterinarians. This product undergoes 30 meticulously conducted scientific and clinical tests. This guarantees effective results and boosts your cat’s kidney health.

Several clinical studies and scientific research completed by Forza10 were published in reputable scientific publications to support the efficacy of this wet cat food.

Pros

It has a high moisture content

Suitable for renal support and kidney care

It ideal for cats with sensitivities

Cons

It has a potent smell

Not all cats love pate-style diets

Weruva TruLuxe Cat Food, Steak Frites Dinner with Beef & Pumpkin in Gravy Cat Food : Best Premium Wet Cat Food

Amazon’s Choice in Canned Cat Food by Weruva

Brand: Weruva

Form: Wet

Lifestage: All life stages

Flavor/s: Beef & pumpkin, steak frites, fish, glam ‘n punk, honor roll, kawa booty, Mediterranean harvest, pretty in pink, quick ‘n quirky, peking ducken, meow me a river, on the cat wok, trusurf variety, truturf variety, salmon

Size/s: 3 ounces (85 grams) pack of 24, 6 ounces (170 grams) pack of 24

Package form: Can

Fat content: 1.3% crude fat (min)

Protein content: 10% crude protein (min)

First five ingredients: Beef, pumpkin, sweet potato, carrot, sunflower seed oil

Vet approved: Yes

Prescription required: No

Recommended use/s: Hydration, urinary tract health

Special diet considerations: Grain-free, gluten-free, carrageenan-free

Our rating out of five: 4.7

Product Description

Weruva Truluxe Steak Frites Low-Phosphorus Cat Food contains high-quality meats and proteins from Australian grass-fed livestock. This cat food for kidney care is available in a wide range of flavorful cans. It is low in phosphorus, magnesium, and ash, with enough water intake (86% in every can).

Manufactured in a human food facility, this product complies with the British Retail Consortium (BRC) regulations for global food standards. It does not contain grains, gluten, carrageenan, soy, wheat, or corn.

Weruva TruLuxe Cat Food suits cats of all breeds and life stages. This product provides a 100% complete and balanced diet with minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.

Pros

Its high moisture content is suitable for hydration

It’s highly palatable to cats

It comes in BPA-free cans

Cons

It lacks omega-3 fatty acids

Fussie Cat Super Premium Chicken & Vegetables Formula in Gravy Grain-Free Wet Cat Food : Best All-Natural Wet Cat Food

Amazon’s Choice in Canned Cat Food by Fussie Cat

Brand: Fussie Cat

Form: Wet

Lifestage: Adult

Flavor/s: Chicken, chicken & duck in gravy, chicken & vegetables in gravy, chicken & beef in pumpkin soup, chicken & liver in pumpkin soup, chicken & egg in gravy, chicken & sweet potato in gravy

Size/s: 2.82 ounces (80 grams)

Package form: Can

Fat content: 1.5% crude fat (min)

Protein content: 11% crude protein (min)

First five ingredients: Chicken meat, water, chicken skin, tapioca starch, Potatoes, carrots, green peas

Vet approved: Yes

Prescription required: No

Recommended use/s: Urinary tract health, hydration

Special diet considerations: Grain-free

Our rating out of five: 4.7

Product Description

Fussie Cat manufactures high-quality low-phosphorus cat foods in a Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) approved facility. It produces premium canned foods that are safe for your cat’s consumption. The company performs thorough quality checks to ensure products regarding food safety, toxic substances, pathogens, contaminants, and pesticides are up to par.

This wet cat food meets the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) cat food nutritional standards. It has a rich chicken flavor without artificial preservatives, additives, or colors. 

Furthermore, this product is grain-free and high in DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid). This product is ideal for adult cats. It is suitable for hydration and supports a healthy urinary tract. 

Pros

It is 100% safe (AAFCO certified)

It is excellent for urinary tract health

Cons

It is expensive

Wellness Healthy Indulgence Morsels With Chicken & Chicken Liver in Savory Sauce Cat Food : Best Multi-Flavored Wet Cat Food

Brand: Wellness

Form: Wet

Lifestage: Adult

Flavor/s: Chicken, chicken & salmon, chicken & turkey, turkey & duck, tuna, salmon & tuna, tuna & mackerel, tuna & shrimp 

Size/s: 3 ounces (85 grams)

Package form: Sachet

Fat content: 4.0% crude fat (min)

Protein content: 7.0% crude fat (min)

First five ingredients: Chicken broth, water, chicken liver, potato starch, eggs, carrots

Vet approved: Yes

Prescription required: No

Recommended use/s: Energy and immunity boost, urinary health, skin and coat, digestive health

Special diet considerations: Grain-free, carrageenan-free

Our rating out of five: 4.5

Product Description

Wellness Healthy Indulgence Morsels With Chicken & Chicken Liver in Savory Sauce Cat Food is a natural, grain-free cat food that provides your cat with various flavors they love. It is an excellent source of rich, high-quality proteins for an all-rounded diet.

Although cats do not have a high thirst drive, this diet is a simple method to enhance their water intake for optimum urinary tract health. It is also effective in boosting your cat’s physical and mental health. Some product benefits include an energy boost, healthy skin and fur, strong digestion and immunity systems, strong teeth, and clear eyes.

Developed by nutritionists, vets, and animal lovers, this wellness nutrition offers a perfect harmony of the purest natural ingredients, carefully chosen to nourish and prolong your pet’s well-being.

Pros

It is 100% grain-free and made with real chicken

It has great taste, even picky eaters can’t resist

It provides plenty of energy for your cat

It is great for cats with sensitivities

Cons

It’s not suitable for cats that need more moisture

Hill’s Science Diet Wet Cat Food, Adult 7+ for Senior Cats, Chunks & Gravy Tender Chicken Recipe Cat Food : Best Grain-Inclusive Wet Cat Food

Brand: Hill’s Science

Form: Wet

Lifestage: Senior

Flavor/s: Chicken

Size/s: 5.5 ounces (156 grams)

Package form: Can

Fat content: 4.0%

Protein content: 8.0%

First five ingredients: Water, chicken, turkey giblets, pork by-products, pork liver, corn starch

Vet approved: Yes

Prescription required: No

Recommended use/s: Kidney and vital organ health, muscle growth

Special diet considerations: Grain-inclusive

Our rating out of five: 4.3

Product Description

Hill’s Science Diet Wet Cat Food is a high-quality, low-phosphorus protein formula that promotes lean muscle maintenance for senior cats. It contains natural and easily digestible ingredients that older cats love. The Adult 7+ diet for senior cats also promotes kidney and vital organ health.

This product strikes the ideal mix between the essential nutrients your cat requires and the mouthwatering flavor of tender baked chicken chunks in gravy. It is prepared explicitly with high-quality protein to help retain lean muscle and taurine to preserve good vision and a healthy heart for adult cats seven years and older. 

This healthy recipe offers the ideal combination of flavor and nutrients for your older cat without artificial flavors or preservatives.

Pros

It is an easy-to-digest formula

It contains lean proteins for muscle growth

It contains antioxidants and vitamins that boost the immune system

Cons

It is expensive

It contains grains

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Low Phosphorus Cat Food

Type of Food

Low-phosphorus cat diets come in two main categories: prescription and non-prescription. Prescription diets are typically more expensive than those readily available. Prescription diets require a veterinarian’s recommendation to purchase and contain more precise ingredient ratios.

Price

When purchasing low-phosphorus food for your cat, your budget will significantly influence your decision. The brand and the ingredients used significantly impact how much these items cost. A short and easy inquiry into the average pricing of low-phosphorus cat feeds can help identify the best decision for you.

Disease Stage

You may choose a suitable non-prescription recipe if your cat’s renal condition is still in its early stages. However, due to their carefully selected and prepared contents, prescribed low-phosphorus diets may be preferable if the disease is advanced.

FAQs on Low Phosphorus Feline Food

What is Considered Low-Phosphorus Cat Food?

Diets for treating renal problems in cats typically contain little phosphorus. To enhance your cat’s kidney health and life expectancy, you should reduce the amount of phosphorus in their meals by 70 to 80%. However, this does not imply that the levels should be excessively low.

Nobody argues the necessity to keep the phosphorus contents in foods supplied to chronic kidney disease (CKD) cats as low as possible, in contrast to protein content. Several cat foods have phosphorus, which is necessary for your cat’s optimal health. Additionally, kidneys help the body regulate phosphorus levels by eliminating the surplus.

Nevertheless, cats with chronic kidney disease can no longer effectively eliminate excess phosphorus. Therefore, many of these cats will experience high blood phosphorus levels, which can make the cat feel unwell and hasten the progression of CKD. Feeding your cat foods with low-phosphorus foods eases the strain on its damaged kidneys.

So, what is the optimum low-phosphorus level in cat food? You want your cat to eat food with less than 0.5% phosphorus on a dry matter analysis basis. In reality, most therapeutic renal meals contain 0.4 to 0.7% phosphorus levels. This means many exceed the 0.5% dry matter analysis minimum set by the AAFCO for healthy adult cats.

Reasons to Consider Low-Phosphorus Cat Food

A low-phosphorus diet improves your cat’s health and relieves the workload on its kidneys. According to studies, cats with chronic kidney illness can live up to twice as long on a low-phosphorus diet compared to regular diets.

The ideal cat food will moderate protein, carbohydrate, and phosphorus consumption to lessen kidney workload strain in cats with chronic kidney disease. Also, kidney diets are alkaline and help to neutralize toxic acids since impaired renal function allows acids to accumulate.

Low-phosphorus cat foods are truly significantly different from conventional cat foods. Their potassium, B vitamins, and fatty acids are higher, while their protein and phosphorus levels are lower. This helps prevent kidney stones and any other renal complications. Here are three main reasons to consider when giving your cat a low-phosphorus diet:

Low-Phosphorus Diets are Easier for Your Cat’s Body to Process

Giving cats with kidney disease a low-phosphorus, low-protein diet is advisable. However, extensive protein reduction can result in protein deprivation, which can cause a decrease in muscle mass and deteriorating bodily condition.

On the other hand, too much phosphorus is harmful to your cat’s health. Instead of giving your cat very little protein, consider giving it moderate amounts of highly digestible, waste-free phosphorus and proteins from animal sources.

Low-Phosphorus Diets Help Maintain Kidney Function

When kidneys fail, they can no longer filter out phosphorus effectively. Increased blood phosphorus levels cause renal function to decline even more quickly. In cats with kidney illness, the optimal phosphorus concentration of a diet should be low enough to reduce kidney workload.

Low-Phosphorus Diets Help Prevent Kidney Damage 

When introducing any new cat food, including low-phosphorus food, you should always blend it with your cat’s regular meal. Your cat can gradually transition to a low-phosphorus diet. You can introduce a different brand of low-phosphorus food if they get bored with it (as cats do) or alternate between many different types until you find the right one for your cat.

If your veterinarian hasn’t advised them, avoid “urinary diets” when experimenting with new meals. Although they help prevent kidney stones from forming, which is a whole separate problem, they can make cats’ renal disease worse.

Do You Have Some Tips for Making Low Phosphorus Feline Food at Home?

Ideally, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) sets the nutritional requirements for cat foods. So, while you make your homemade low-phosphorus cat food, ensure your recipe meets the required AAFCO standards. Adult cats need a minimum of 26% protein and 9% fat on a dry matter basis, according to AAFCO.

Traditional homemade cat food recipes have the drawback of maybe having too much phosphorus and sodium in them. Depending on the advice of your veterinarian, they might also contain too much protein.

Before creating homemade kidney diets for your cat, remember that all dietary adjustments should be gradual. This will best prevent imbalances or digestive issues. Switching to a different feed brand is easier if one doesn’t work well. The procedure is a little different when treating renal failure in cats.

Most importantly, if your cat has kidney problems, you shouldn’t combine homemade and store-bought food because they have different digestion rates. Instead, it would be best to progressively cut back on the commercial feed while serving smaller amounts of homemade cat food every two to three hours.

You may not always be sure of the ingredients when making cat food at home. Cats must have protein as the primary component of their diet because they are obligate carnivores. However, it’s different for cats with kidney disease. 

These cats with kidney disease cannot process high protein as required. Therefore, you should lower the amount of protein in your homemade cat food. It would be best to consult a veterinarian before creating homemade cat food because the amount of protein you need to reduce will vary depending on your cat’s health condition.

That’s a Wrap

Chronic kidney disease in cats can cause death if not promptly and effectively treated. In addition to prescribing drugs to treat and manage this condition, many vets typically recommend that pet parents introduce their cats to low-phosphorus diets. The consumption of low-phosphorus foods relieves the kidneys from excreting excess phosphorus. 

We recommend Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline Renal Support E Loaf In Sauce Canned Cat Food  to pet owners who want to start their cats on a low-phosphorus diet. It contains omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants suitable for cats’ health. This product has an enticing formula that stimulates appetite. Additionally, it helps support kidney health in adult cats.

Although several non-prescription low-phosphorus dry and wet cat foods are available, most manufacturers sell their products as commercial cat foods for kidney disease. Therefore, you need a veterinarian’s prescription before purchase. To ensure your cat’s well-being and healthy life, it is imperative to go for only high-quality cat foods.

Before switching your cat to a low-phosphorus diet, consult your veterinarian, as some products may not suit your cat’s health.

What Does Low Phosphorus Cat Food do? Kidney disease in cats can be a nightmare to pet parents. However, feeding … Read more >