A nutritious diet containing the necessary ingredients will benefit your cat if they have kidney or urinary problems. Thankfully, Hill’s dry and wet cat food products contain all the nourishment required to help your furball become better.
Felines are susceptible to kidney damage that can lead to urinary problems. These can affect your pet’s quality of life and decrease their lifespan.
One of the first signs of renal failure is increased thirst and the frequency of urination. You may also notice lethargy, weight loss, foul breath, back pain, and a loss of appetite.
According to Pam Bennett, a B.S., M.S., and D.V.M. in Veterinary Medicine, chronic renal failure (CRF), causing damage to kidney tissues, is a degenerative disease in most cats. It usually occurs due to low-grade infections, hypertension, a bad diet, genetic predisposition, and old age.
Reports suggest that 2% to 4% of cats under the age of 10 have some form of kidney disease. Similarly, 30% to 40% of older cats (>10 years) have chronic kidney diseases (CKD).
Sometimes, cats can also develop urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to bacterial growth in their urethra. The symptoms include blood in the urine, an increased frequency of urination, and pain while urinating. If left untreated, it can lead to kidney failure or bladder ruptures. However, statistics show that UTIs are less frequent and only affect 1% to 2% of cats.
If you’re a cat parent, you’re bound to encounter these problems if you don’t put your feline on a therapeutic diet. Thankfully, Hill’s Pet Nutrition products can protect vital kidney function and offer urinary care to pets. Their expertly crafted and scientifically backed nutritious dry and canned formulas are perfect for a cat with kidney and urinary problems.
In this blog, we will discuss four such products that can help pet parents proactively prevent kidney damage and urinary issues in their cats.
#1. Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Early Support Kidney Care Dry Cat Food
The Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Early Support Kidney Care Dry Cat Food can promote vital kidney function during the initial stages of renal issues. The presence of omega-3 fatty acids in this product ensures reduced phosphorus and sodium production. Reports suggest that increased phosphorus levels in the cat’s blood can lead to a deteriorating kidney problem. Similarly, excess sodium can lead your cat to develop hypernatremia because the kidney cannot get rid of the sodium.
Research has also proven that abnormal appetite and weight loss are associated with renal failure. Approximately 21% to 92% of cat parents have reported that their cats stopped eating. To alleviate this issue, this kidney care cat food uses an Enhanced Appetite Trigger (E.A.T.).
Scientists and vets working for Hill’s Pet Nutrition have identified the key aromas and flavors that trigger food intake in cats and used those as part of E.A.T. As a result, the irresistible taste of this cat food increases their energy level by enhancing their caloric intake.
The antioxidants present can also promote a healthy immune system, reducing the risk of urinary problems. This cat food contains antioxidants like vitamins E and C that can help manage issues with kidney function. Research has proven that these antioxidants have successfully reduced DNA damage in cats with renal insufficiency. This can also help manage intestinal tract issues and increase renal function.
Moreover, the balance of essential amino acids (AAs) and high-quality protein helps maintain and build muscle mass. As a result, it helps maintain energy and strength in your feline friend. Reports suggest that cats require high amounts of AAs for muscle development and growth. All these are essential for promoting healthy kidney function.
#2. Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Stress Urinary Care Canned Cat Food
One day, Anne Borkowski noticed her 11-year-old healthy and trained cat suddenly urinating on the rug. She instantly took her to a vet. They asked Anne to avoid feeding her dry food and to keep her on fluids.
Experts believe that good-quality wet canned food is better than dry food when your cat has urinary problems because of the level of moisture content. Therefore, Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Stress Urinary Care Canned Cat Food can help address your cat’s stress-related urinary problems. It’s clinically proven to lower the signs of urinary incontinence and promote positive bladder health in felines.
All that is possible because of the therapeutic balance of nutrients this product offers. These include protein, fiber, and fat. These can regulate the sodium levels, keeping them within 0.9% to 1%, and also control calcium levels to avoid muscle contractions.
The S+OXSHIELD technology in this formula mitigates the formation of struvite & calcium oxalate crystals by creating a healthy bladder system. Struvite stones and calcium oxalate crystals can damage your cat's bladder by causing inflammation or irritation, leading to UTIs and stress incontinence. The targeted technology of S+OXSHIELD easily dissolves struvite stones within seven days, alleviating the cat’s urinary discomfort and reducing long-term risks.
All in all, it’s a good choice for cat parents because of its balanced nutrition profile. Your feline friend will also love the bite-sized chunks of spinach, chicken, and carrots in this cat food.
#3. Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care Canned Cat Food
A cat’s damaged kidney will lose its capacity for filtering and reabsorbing nutrients. Therefore, it cannot reduce harmful waste products. That’s why you’ll need to give them balanced nutrition that’s easily digestible.
Studies state that your feline friend with renal problems should be on a diet with reduced protein, sodium, and phosphorus content. Instead, they should have omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamin B for their high caloric density. Keeping this in mind, the vets created Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care Canned Cat Food.
The ActivBiome+ Kidney Defense formula in this product includes a proprietary blend of prebiotics that protects your cat’s kidney function. This innovative formula can activate the gut microbiome in your cat with the help of:
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Betaine: It’s a nutrient with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Therefore, it can support cell hydration.
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Oat Beta-Glucan and FOS (fructooligosaccharides) Soluble: This complex fiber can modulate the microbiome and help reduce uremic toxic production.
If you add this canned food to your cat’s diet, it can steadily increase kidney functions and reduce phosphorus and sodium levels. Moreover, the omega-3 fatty acids and amino acids will help your cat maintain energy levels and build muscle mass, contributing to healthy kidney function.
Apart from these benefits, your cat will love the taste and texture of this wet canned food, even if they’re a picky eater. You can choose between flavors like chicken, tuna, and vegetable stew.
#4. Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care Dry Cat Food
As mentioned earlier, wet food is a better option to protect your cat’s urinary health. However, some cats are very picky eaters and will prefer dry foods. That’s why Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care Dry Cat Food can be a good alternative you can consider.
It’s specially crafted for urinary health management to boost your cat’s kidney and bladder function. The ingredients have been clinically tested to lower common urinary problems by 89%. These include vitamins, minerals, proteins, amino acids, and antioxidants. Moreover, the presence of carbohydrates, omega-3 fatty acids, and crude fiber makes it perfect for your cat’s bladder and urinary tract health.
This balanced nutrition supports your cat’s digestive health and mitigates dietary issues. The product also contains a highly digestible nutritional blend of amino acids, vitamins, and pure protein. Moreover, your feline will love both the chicken and ocean fish flavors available.
This dry cat food also promotes a healthy urinary environment that reduces stone formation due to the exclusive S+OXSHIELD formula. It can balance the cat’s acidic pH levels and lower ion concentrations. Similarly, the use of the Relative Super Saturation (RSS) process lowers the risk of crystals forming in their kidneys and urinary tracts. RSS works by controlling the calcium and magnesium levels when the dietary minerals pass through the kidney.
But remember, these dry foods don’t have enough water content. Genetically, cats have a low thirst drive because they can concentrate their urine. Therefore, your furball can develop symptoms of dehydration. As a pet parent, you should ensure that your cat gets enough water when they’re on a dry food diet to avoid the risk of UTIs.
In summary, you’ll need to be extra cautious about their diet and only feed them therapeutic foods and a nutritious meal. These food products should contain a balanced supply of amino acids, antioxidants, proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Moreover, pet parents must constantly keep a check on their cat’s kidney and urinary health. That’s because reports show that early detection of CKD is crucial to maintaining your feline’s overall health.
Thankfully, the four Hill’s cat foods mentioned in this blog can offer you exactly what your little furball needs. Putting them on a diet of these clinically tested products will keep your feline healthy and nourished. With regular usage, your cats can regain their health and feel stronger.
