Your cat has been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and your veterinarian has recommended a therapeutic diet to help treat this kidney (also called renal) condition.
Harmful waste products build up in the body of a cat with poor kidney function. One of the best ways to manage this problem is with a special diet that’s low in protein, phosphorus, and sodium and high in vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants.
There are low phosphorus commercial cat foods specially formulated for cats with kidney issues. Many kidney care diets require a veterinarian’s prescription, but some don’t.
These reviews will help you find the best cat food for kidney health for your cat. We’ll talk about both prescription and non-prescription options, so be sure to always follow your vet’s exact instructions when choosing cat food.
Disclaimer: The foods reviewed here were chosen because they have certain characteristics that might help with some of the causes or consequences of this medical condition. However, they are not a medical treatment or a substitute for medical treatment. Keep in mind that each medical case is different and what works for some pets may not work for others. Your veterinarian is the right person to advise you on the best diet for your pet’s individual case.
A Glance at Our Winners in 2024
Image | Product | Details | ||
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Best Overall | Hill's Prescription Kidney Wet Cat Food |
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Best Value | Purina Pro Plan Vet Diet Dry Cat Food |
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Premium Choice | Royal Canin Renal Support Cat Food |
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Blue Buffalo Vet KM Cat Food |
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Forza10 Renal Support Cat Food |
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The 10 Best Cat Foods for Kidney Disease (Low Phosphorus)
1. Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care Canned Food – Best Overall
Phosphorus: | .49% |
Protein: | 30% |
Sodium: | .23% |
Calories: | 70 kcal/2.9 oz can |
Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care Chicken & Vegetable Stew Canned Cat Food is our pick for best overall cat food for kidney disease. This popular food requires a veterinary prescription but is widely available.
It is a palatable wet food with chicken as the primary animal protein. As a kidney care diet, it has the right amounts of phosphorus, protein, and sodium to support your cat’s health.
2. Purina Pro Plan Vet Diets NF Kidney Care Dry Cat Food – Best Value
Phosphorus: | .44% |
Protein: | 26.5% |
Sodium: | n/a |
Calories: | 536 kcal/cup |
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function Advanced Care Formula Dry Cat Food is our pick for best cat food for kidney disease for the money.
Although it is a veterinary diet that requires a prescription, it is a better value than some other veterinary diets. This formula is low in phosphorus and protein for kidney health and contains omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants to help support your cat’s overall health.
3. Royal Canin Vet Diet Renal Support Cat Food – Premium Choice
Phosphorus: | .14% |
Protein: | 10% |
Sodium: | n/a |
Calories: | 98 kcal/can |
Royal Canin is a quality veterinary diet that is often the preferred choice of veterinarians. This kidney health prescription diet gets high marks from the owners of picky cats. The D stands for “delectable” and the morsels in gravy formula helps to stimulate your cat’s appetite.
4. Blue Buffalo Vet Diet K+M Dry Cat Food
Phosphorus: | .7% |
Protein: | 26% |
Sodium: | .35% |
Calories: | 425 kcal/cup |
This is a prescription kidney diet that has controlled levels of protein, phosphorus, and sodium for kidney health. It is grain-free, and the primary animal protein is chicken. It also has the added benefit of joint health ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin, good for older cats with both mobility and kidney issues.
5. Forza10 Renal ActiWet Renal Support Canned Cat Food
Phosphorus: | .13% |
Protein: | 6% |
Sodium: | .06% |
Calories: | 80 kcal/tray |
This is a kidney care diet that does not require a veterinarian’s prescription (check with your vet before buying). It’s made with lamb and contains no corn, wheat, or soy. In addition to having low amounts of phosphorus, protein, and sodium, it also has natural plant ingredients like cranberry for added renal support.
6. Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care Dry Cat Food
Phosphorus: | .52% |
Protein: | 29.8% |
Sodium: | .26% |
Calories: | 444 kcal/cup |
This Hill’s kidney care dry cat food gets high marks from owners of finicky feline eaters who prefer fish-flavored cat food. Formulated with controlled phosphorus and low sodium for kidney health, it also contains l-carnitine and omega-3 fatty acids to support your cat’s overall health.
7. Royal Canin Vet Diet Renal Support E Canned Cat Food
Phosphorus: | .14% |
Protein: | 9% |
Sodium: | n/a |
Calories: | 151 kcal/can |
This is another Royal Canin veterinary kidney diet option. With this variety, the E stands for “enticing” and it is designed to stimulate your cat’s appetite. It comes in a loaf-in-sauce form and is energy-dense, so it provides more nutritional support for cats that eat small portions.
8. Forza10 Nutraceutic Kidney Renal Support Dry Cat Food
Phosphorus: | .8% |
Protein: | 26% |
Sodium: | .24% |
Calories: | 461 kcal/cup |
You don’t need a veterinarian’s prescription to buy this Forza10 kidney support food, although it’s a good idea to check with your vet before buying. Like prescription renal diets, it has low phosphorus, protein, and sodium. It also contains therapeutic plant extracts and omega-3 fatty acids from anchovy for your cat’s overall health.
9. Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Early Support Dry Cat Food
Phosphorus: | .56% |
Protein: | 34% |
Sodium: | .25% |
Calories: | 536 kcal/cup |
This version of Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d is formulated for cats with early kidney disease. It provides early protection of kidney function and is also designed to stimulate your cat’s appetite. It is low in phosphorus and sodium and contains omega-3 fatty acids, essential amino acids, and l-carnitine.
10. Purina Pro Plan Vet Diets NF Kidney Care Wet Cat Food
Phosphorus: | .12% |
Protein: | 6% |
Sodium: | n/a |
Calories: | 164 kcal/can |
Purina Pro Plan Vet Diets NF Kidney Care Wet Cat Food is a canned veterinary diet prescription-only cat food for cats with advanced kidney disease and kidney failure. Low amounts of sodium, phosphorus, and protein reduce the workload of damaged kidneys and help your cat feel more comfortable.
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Cat Foods for Kidney Disease
What are the key factors to keep in mind when deciding on the best cat food for renal failure? The most important thing is to follow your veterinarian’s recommendations.
Final Thoughts
Let’s recap our reviews and top picks!
Hill’s Prescription Diet and Royal Canin Veterinary Diet are top choices of veterinarians. Each manufacturer has several varieties in their renal support cat food lines. Your vet may prefer one company over the other, but both are very good.
For best overall cat food for kidney disease, we like Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care Chicken & Vegetable Stew Canned Cat Food and Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Renal Support D Thin Slices in Gravy Canned Cat Food. Both are well-formulated for kidney disease and palatable to most cats.
Be sure to talk to your vet if you have questions or concerns about your cat’s health and diet.
- You may also be interested in: 10 Best Cat Foods for Pancreatitis – Reviews & Top Picks
Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock