Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone and Dr. Tobin, My mothers' 11 year old recently adopted cat (so we have no idea what her former 11 years of eating has been) has been diagnosed with kidney failure. I have been doing a little research. And was thinking an organic raw meat diet may prove helpful...however I have also heard low protein is better for compromised kidneys. Her cat currently is fed chicken, tuna, or newmans' canned foods. I was thinking of getting her "Nature's variety raw frozen diet for dogs and cats" the "organic chicken" variety. As I know she is very busy and would not make the time to prepare a raw food diet for the cat, unless it was as simple as letting it defrost overnight. Please let me know if this high protein diet is an unwise choice for her failing kidneys. Thank you much, chels

A raw meat diet is fine, especially if the cat is losing protein in the urine; this has to be replaced. I like to see cats that have kidney failure put on diets that have at least some raw beef kidney daily. The kidney, pureed with an equal amount of water, yields a liquid with the consistancy of heavy cream. If you make a large amount, freeze it in ice cube trays, keeping some defrosting in the refrigerator, so it is always available. Cats usually prefer liquids, and if need be, it can be given by syringe directly into the mouth.