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.
A Glance at Our Winners in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Hill’s Prescription Kidney Wet Cat Food
Contains gravy to stimulate the appetite
Supports urinary tract health by reducing crystal formation
Chicken is the primary protein source
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Best Value
Purina Pro Plan Vet Diet Dry Cat Food
Proper amounts of protein and phosphorus
Primary animal protein is tuna
With Omega-3 fatty acids + antioxidants
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Premium Choice
Royal Canin Renal Support Cat Food
Energy-dense food for cats that eat smaller meals
Contains antioxidants and fatty acids from fish oil
The main animal protein is chicken
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Blue Buffalo Vet KM Cat Food
Contains real chicken, not by-products
Supports kidney health and joint health
Good for mobility in older cats
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Forza10 Renal Support Cat Food
Does not require a veterinary prescription
Contains no meat by-products or GMOs
Lamb is the first ingredient
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The 10 Best Cat Foods for Kidney Disease (Low Phosphorus)
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.
Phosphorus: .49%
Protein: 30%
Sodium: .23%
Calories: 70 kcal/2.9 oz can
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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.
Pros
Contains gravy to stimulate the appetite
Supports urinary tract health by reducing the risk of crystal formation
Cons
Requires a veterinary prescription
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.
Contains gravy to stimulate the appetite
Supports urinary tract health by reducing the risk of crystal formation
- Contains gravy to stimulate the appetite
- Supports urinary tract health by reducing the risk of crystal formation
Requires a veterinary prescription
- Requires a veterinary prescription
Phosphorus: .44%
Protein: 26.5%
Sodium: n/a
Calories: 536 kcal/cup
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.
Pros
Contains proper amounts of protein and phosphorus
Primary animal protein is tuna
Cons
Requires a veterinary prescription
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.
Contains proper amounts of protein and phosphorus
Primary animal protein is tuna
- Contains proper amounts of protein and phosphorus
- Primary animal protein is tuna
Phosphorus: .14%
Protein: 10%
Sodium: n/a
Calories: 98 kcal/can
Pros
An energy-dense formula for cats that eat smaller meals
Contains antioxidants and fatty acids from fish oil
The main animal protein is chicken
Cons
Requires a veterinary prescription
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.
An energy-dense formula for cats that eat smaller meals
Contains antioxidants and fatty acids from fish oil
The main animal protein is chicken
- An energy-dense formula for cats that eat smaller meals
- Contains antioxidants and fatty acids from fish oil
- The main animal protein is chicken
Phosphorus: .7%
Protein: 26%
Sodium: .35%
Calories: 425 kcal/cup
Pros
Contains real chicken, not by-products
Supports kidney health and joint health
Cons
Requires a veterinary prescription
Cats need to drink more water with dry food diets
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.
Contains real chicken, not by-products
Supports kidney health and joint health
- Contains real chicken, not by-products
- Supports kidney health and joint health
Requires a veterinary prescription
Cats need to drink more water with dry food diets
- Requires a veterinary prescription
- Cats need to drink more water with dry food diets
Phosphorus: .13%
Protein: 6%
Sodium: .06%
Calories: 80 kcal/tray
Pros
Does not require a veterinary prescription
Contains no meat by-products or GMOs
Cons
Your vet may prefer a prescription veterinary diet
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.
Does not require a veterinary prescription
Contains no meat by-products or GMOs
- Does not require a veterinary prescription
- Contains no meat by-products or GMOs
Your vet may prefer a prescription veterinary diet
- Your vet may prefer a prescription veterinary diet
Phosphorus: .52%
Protein: 29.8%
Sodium: .26%
Calories: 444 kcal/cup
Pros
Enhanced Appetite Trigger (E.A.T.) technology to stimulate appetite
High levels of essential amino acids
Cons
Requires a veterinary prescription
Cats need to drink more water with dry food diets
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.
Enhanced Appetite Trigger (E.A.T.) technology to stimulate appetite
High levels of essential amino acids
- Enhanced Appetite Trigger (E.A.T.) technology to stimulate appetite
- High levels of essential amino acids
Phosphorus: .14%
Protein: 9%
Sodium: n/a
Calories: 151 kcal/can
Pros
Formulated with proper phosphorus and protein levels
Contains antioxidants and fatty acids from fish oil
Cons
Requires a veterinary prescription
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.
Formulated with proper phosphorus and protein levels
Contains antioxidants and fatty acids from fish oil
- Formulated with proper phosphorus and protein levels
- Contains antioxidants and fatty acids from fish oil
Phosphorus: .8%
Protein: 26%
Sodium: .24%
Calories: 461 kcal/cup
Pros
Does not require a veterinary prescription
Contains natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients
Cons
Your vet may prefer a prescription veterinary diet
Cats need to drink more water with dry food diets
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.
Does not require a veterinary prescription
Contains natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients
- Does not require a veterinary prescription
- Contains natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients
Your vet may prefer a prescription veterinary diet
Cats need to drink more water with dry food diets
- Your vet may prefer a prescription veterinary diet
- Cats need to drink more water with dry food diets
Phosphorus: .56%
Protein: 34%
Sodium: .25%
Calories: 536 kcal/cup
Pros
Designed specifically for early kidney disease
Enhanced Appetite Trigger (E.A.T.) technology to stimulate appetite
Cons
Requires a veterinary prescription
Not designed for advanced kidney disease
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.
Designed specifically for early kidney disease
Enhanced Appetite Trigger (E.A.T.) technology to stimulate appetite
- Designed specifically for early kidney disease
- Enhanced Appetite Trigger (E.A.T.) technology to stimulate appetite
Requires a veterinary prescription
Not designed for advanced kidney disease
- Requires a veterinary prescription
- Not designed for advanced kidney disease
Phosphorus: .12%
Protein: 6%
Sodium: n/a
Calories: 164 kcal/can
Pros
Specifically designed for advanced kidney disease
Contains added B-complex vitamins
Cons
Requires a veterinary prescription
Not designed for cats with early kidney disease
Specifically designed for advanced kidney disease
Contains added B-complex vitamins
- Specifically designed for advanced kidney disease
- Contains added B-complex vitamins
Requires a veterinary prescription
Not designed for cats with early kidney disease
- Requires a veterinary prescription
- Not designed for cats with early kidney disease
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.
Vets Recommend
Most cat food for kidney disease requires a prescription. This is because cats with impaired kidney function have unique nutritional needs that are very different from cats with normal kidneys.
Therapeutic kidney diets contain controlled amounts of phosphorus, protein, and sodium, but amounts (and other ingredients) vary from brand to brand. If your vet prescribes a particular food for your cat, be sure to follow the treatment plan.
Cats with kidney disease often have small appetites so finding a food that your cat will eat is important. Talk to your vet about alternative foods to try if your cat doesn’t like the first one.
You can choose dry, wet, or a combination of both, but be sure to provide plenty of water if your cat prefers dry food. With some patience, you and your vet can find the right kidney diet for your cat.
There are a couple of other common-sense tips to keep in mind!
If you have multiple cats and only one has kidney disease, make sure to feed your cats separately so that they don’t eat each other’s food.
Be sure not to confuse kidney/renal care cat food with urinary care cat food. Veterinary diets for urinary health are designed to prevent the formation of crystals in your cat’s urinary tract. It is a different dietary formulation than food for kidney disease.
Most cat food for kidney disease requires a prescription. This is because cats with impaired kidney function have unique nutritional needs that are very different from cats with normal kidneys.
Therapeutic kidney diets contain controlled amounts of phosphorus, protein, and sodium, but amounts (and other ingredients) vary from brand to brand. If your vet prescribes a particular food for your cat, be sure to follow the treatment plan.
Cats with kidney disease often have small appetites so finding a food that your cat will eat is important. Talk to your vet about alternative foods to try if your cat doesn’t like the first one.
You can choose dry, wet, or a combination of both, but be sure to provide plenty of water if your cat prefers dry food. With some patience, you and your vet can find the right kidney diet for your cat.
- Most cat food for kidney disease requires a prescription. This is because cats with impaired kidney function have unique nutritional needs that are very different from cats with normal kidneys.
- Therapeutic kidney diets contain controlled amounts of phosphorus, protein, and sodium, but amounts (and other ingredients) vary from brand to brand. If your vet prescribes a particular food for your cat, be sure to follow the treatment plan.
- Cats with kidney disease often have small appetites so finding a food that your cat will eat is important. Talk to your vet about alternative foods to try if your cat doesn’t like the first one.
- You can choose dry, wet, or a combination of both, but be sure to provide plenty of water if your cat prefers dry food. With some patience, you and your vet can find the right kidney diet for your cat.
If you have multiple cats and only one has kidney disease, make sure to feed your cats separately so that they don’t eat each other’s food.
Be sure not to confuse kidney/renal care cat food with urinary care cat food. Veterinary diets for urinary health are designed to prevent the formation of crystals in your cat’s urinary tract. It is a different dietary formulation than food for kidney disease.
- If you have multiple cats and only one has kidney disease, make sure to feed your cats separately so that they don’t eat each other’s food.
- Be sure not to confuse kidney/renal care cat food with urinary care cat food. Veterinary diets for urinary health are designed to prevent the formation of crystals in your cat’s urinary tract. It is a different dietary formulation than food for kidney disease.
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
