Renal and Kidney Vet Cat Food
Vet Ulrike Sydow on cat food for renal insufficiency:

"Cats with renal insufficiency need a special diet that contains low levels of phosphate and protein to relieve the kidneys. It is important to ensure a balanced composition to meet the needs of your four-legged friend. With the right diet, you can help your cat to live a long and happy life, even with renal insufficiency. And don't forget to swap their treats!
Bonus tip: As desert animals, cats drink little and tend to suffer from renal insufficiency, especially at a higher age. My own cats have a ceramic fountain to encourage them to drink. Since one of my cats has to have a special dry food diet, I give him some water with his food so that he gets more fluid and his kidneys are supported."
This content is a translation of the original text published on zooplus.de, created by Vet Ulrike Sydow, in collaboration with our editorial team. The information provided is for general guidance only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your vet if you have any concerns about your pet’s health or wellbeing.
Vet Ulrike Sydow on cat food for renal insufficiency:

"Cats with renal insufficiency need a special diet that contains low levels of phosphate and protein to relieve the kidneys. It is important to ensure a balanced composition to meet the needs of your four-legged friend. With the right diet, you can help your cat to live a long and happy life, even with renal insufficiency. And don't forget to swap their treats!
Bonus tip: As desert animals, cats drink little and tend to suffer from renal insufficiency, especially at a higher age. My own cats have a ceramic fountain to encourage them to drink. Since one of my cats has to have a special dry food diet, I give him some water with his food so that he gets more fluid and his kidneys are supported."
This content is a translation of the original text published on zooplus.de, created by Vet Ulrike Sydow, in collaboration with our editorial team. The information provided is for general guidance only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your vet if you have any concerns about your pet’s health or wellbeing.
What is renal care cat food?
Renal care cat foods are made for pets with kidney and urinary tract issues, like kidney disease and struvite stones.
Renal care cat foods have ingredients that help keep the urinary tract healthy and prevent bladder and kidney issues.
Choosing the right food for a cat with kidney disease is crucial for maintaining its urinary tract and overall health and wellbeing.
What is renal care cat food?
Renal care cat foods are made for pets with kidney and urinary tract issues, like kidney disease and struvite stones.
Renal care cat foods have ingredients that help keep the urinary tract healthy and prevent bladder and kidney issues.
Choosing the right food for a cat with kidney disease is crucial for maintaining its urinary tract and overall health and wellbeing.
What are struvites?

Struvite stones and struvite crystals are mineral deposits that can form in a cat’s urinary tract. They usually consist of minerals such as magnesium, ammonium and phosphate, which can crystallise as stones in a cat’s bladder or kidneys. The formation of these stones can lead to health problems such as difficulty urinating, pain and urinary tract infections. Diet control and veterinary care are key to managing struvite stones in cats.
Photo owned by Татьяна Скорина / stock.adobe.com
What are struvites?

Struvite stones and struvite crystals are mineral deposits that can form in a cat’s urinary tract. They usually consist of minerals such as magnesium, ammonium and phosphate, which can crystallise as stones in a cat’s bladder or kidneys. The formation of these stones can lead to health problems such as difficulty urinating, pain and urinary tract infections. Diet control and veterinary care are key to managing struvite stones in cats.
Photo owned by Татьяна Скорина / stock.adobe.com
How do you combat struvite crystals in cats urine?
Struvite crystals in cats are a real problem because they are associated, for example, with bladder inflammation, which can lead to progressive inflammation and urinary tract infections. Moreover, struvite crystals can cause urinary problems, bloody urine, increased thirst and overall discomfort.
To combat struvite crystals in cats, the following measures should be taken:
| What? | Specialised diet |
|---|---|
| Why? | Choosing a cat food that is designed to dissolve and prevent struvite crystals is key to ensuring urinary tract health. |
| What? | Water |
| Why? | Providing cats with constant access to fresh water and encouraging them to drink, for example, by using appealing water fountains that aerate water, promotes urine dilution and stone elimination. |
| What? | Regular visits to the vet |
| Why? | Regular check-ups with a specialist make it possible to monitor urinary tract health and assess treatment effectiveness. In case of a deterioration in your pet’s health condition, regular check-up visits and performed tests will allow adjusting the treatment plan to the changing needs of your pet. |
| What? | Medication |
| Why? | In some cases, your vet may recommend administering medications or supplements to a cat with kidney disease that aid in dissolving struvite stones. |
| What? | Lifestyle |
| Why? | Ensuring appropriate levels of physical activity for the cat and reducing its stress levels can also support urinary tract health. |
What? | Why? |
|---|---|
Specialised diet | Choosing a cat food that is designed to dissolve and prevent struvite crystals is key to ensuring urinary tract health. |
Water | Providing cats with constant access to fresh water and encouraging them to drink, for example, by using appealing water fountains that aerate water, promotes urine dilution and stone elimination. |
Regular visits to the vet | Regular check-ups with a specialist make it possible to monitor urinary tract health and assess treatment effectiveness. In case of a deterioration in your pet’s health condition, regular check-up visits and performed tests will allow adjusting the treatment plan to the changing needs of your pet. |
Medication | In some cases, your vet may recommend administering medications or supplements to a cat with kidney disease that aid in dissolving struvite stones. |
Lifestyle | Ensuring appropriate levels of physical activity for the cat and reducing its stress levels can also support urinary tract health. |
How do you combat struvite crystals in cats urine?
Struvite crystals in cats are a real problem because they are associated, for example, with bladder inflammation, which can lead to progressive inflammation and urinary tract infections. Moreover, struvite crystals can cause urinary problems, bloody urine, increased thirst and overall discomfort.
To combat struvite crystals in cats, the following measures should be taken:
| What? | Specialised diet |
|---|---|
| Why? | Choosing a cat food that is designed to dissolve and prevent struvite crystals is key to ensuring urinary tract health. |
| What? | Water |
| Why? | Providing cats with constant access to fresh water and encouraging them to drink, for example, by using appealing water fountains that aerate water, promotes urine dilution and stone elimination. |
| What? | Regular visits to the vet |
| Why? | Regular check-ups with a specialist make it possible to monitor urinary tract health and assess treatment effectiveness. In case of a deterioration in your pet’s health condition, regular check-up visits and performed tests will allow adjusting the treatment plan to the changing needs of your pet. |
| What? | Medication |
| Why? | In some cases, your vet may recommend administering medications or supplements to a cat with kidney disease that aid in dissolving struvite stones. |
| What? | Lifestyle |
| Why? | Ensuring appropriate levels of physical activity for the cat and reducing its stress levels can also support urinary tract health. |
What? | Why? |
|---|---|
Specialised diet | Choosing a cat food that is designed to dissolve and prevent struvite crystals is key to ensuring urinary tract health. |
Water | Providing cats with constant access to fresh water and encouraging them to drink, for example, by using appealing water fountains that aerate water, promotes urine dilution and stone elimination. |
Regular visits to the vet | Regular check-ups with a specialist make it possible to monitor urinary tract health and assess treatment effectiveness. In case of a deterioration in your pet’s health condition, regular check-up visits and performed tests will allow adjusting the treatment plan to the changing needs of your pet. |
Medication | In some cases, your vet may recommend administering medications or supplements to a cat with kidney disease that aid in dissolving struvite stones. |
Lifestyle | Ensuring appropriate levels of physical activity for the cat and reducing its stress levels can also support urinary tract health. |
What makes a good cat food for struvites?
Specific dietary changes can help prevent struvite stones and crystals in cats. Cat foods to prevent struvites are specifically formulated to support urinary tract health and prevent struvite stones.
- Balanced pH: Ensuring a balanced urine pH level helps to prevent the formation of struvite stones and struvite crystals.
- Appropriate mineral content: They contain controlled levels of magnesium, phosphorus and calcium to reduce the risk of crystal formation.
- High moisture content: They have a high moisture content to help keeping your cat hydrated.
- Low sodium content: Limited sodium content to support urinary tract health.
- Additional ingredients: They may also contain ingredients such as omega-3 fatty acids, which support urinary tract health.
What makes a good cat food for struvites?
Specific dietary changes can help prevent struvite stones and crystals in cats. Cat foods to prevent struvites are specifically formulated to support urinary tract health and prevent struvite stones.
- Balanced pH: Ensuring a balanced urine pH level helps to prevent the formation of struvite stones and struvite crystals.
- Appropriate mineral content: They contain controlled levels of magnesium, phosphorus and calcium to reduce the risk of crystal formation.
- High moisture content: They have a high moisture content to help keeping your cat hydrated.
- Low sodium content: Limited sodium content to support urinary tract health.
- Additional ingredients: They may also contain ingredients such as omega-3 fatty acids, which support urinary tract health.
The best urinary care cat food
The best Urinary care cat foods are:
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary S/O: the urine-acidifying properties of this food can help dissolve struvite stones. It is low in magnesium, which is a natural component of struvite stones.
- Hill's Prescription Diet Urinary Care: is a cat food characterised by low magnesium, calcium and vitamin D content. Thanks to its urine-alkalinising properties, this food can contribute to the maintenance of optimal urinary pH and also promotes conditions that favour urine that is low in struvites.
- PURINA PRO PLAN Veterinary Diets Urinary: this special dietary food promotes the dissolution of existingandexisting and prevention of new stones. It also acidifies urine and improves hydration, increasing the amount of urine, which in turn prevents the formation of new urinary stones.
- Concept for Life Veterinary Diet Urinary: contains appropriately adjusted magnesium and phosphorus content. This leads to a significant reduction of urine pH. Salmon oil, as a natural source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, can contribute to a shiny coat and healthy skin.
- Kattovit Special Diet Urinary: the low magnesium content in this food helps to reduce mineral content in urine and the formation of struvite stones, DI-methionine and calcium sulphate help to maintain a slightly acidic urine pH, and taurine, vitamins and minerals provide your cat with all the ingredients it needs for a healthy life.
The best urinary care cat food
The best Urinary care cat foods are:
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary S/O: the urine-acidifying properties of this food can help dissolve struvite stones. It is low in magnesium, which is a natural component of struvite stones.
- Hill's Prescription Diet Urinary Care: is a cat food characterised by low magnesium, calcium and vitamin D content. Thanks to its urine-alkalinising properties, this food can contribute to the maintenance of optimal urinary pH and also promotes conditions that favour urine that is low in struvites.
- PURINA PRO PLAN Veterinary Diets Urinary: this special dietary food promotes the dissolution of existingandexisting and prevention of new stones. It also acidifies urine and improves hydration, increasing the amount of urine, which in turn prevents the formation of new urinary stones.
- Concept for Life Veterinary Diet Urinary: contains appropriately adjusted magnesium and phosphorus content. This leads to a significant reduction of urine pH. Salmon oil, as a natural source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, can contribute to a shiny coat and healthy skin.
- Kattovit Special Diet Urinary: the low magnesium content in this food helps to reduce mineral content in urine and the formation of struvite stones, DI-methionine and calcium sulphate help to maintain a slightly acidic urine pH, and taurine, vitamins and minerals provide your cat with all the ingredients it needs for a healthy life.
Cat food for a cat with kidney disease - what characteristics should it have?
A cat food that addresses kidney disease should contain low levels of phosphorus, high-quality protein, balanced electrolytes, limited sodium content and high moisture content, as well as control urine pH. These properties help to reduce the burden on and support the proper functioning of kidneys, contribute to adequate hydration, which is a critical aspect of kidney disease, and maintain appropriate urine pH.
The best cat foods for kidney care include:
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline Renal: a food containing low phosphorus content and moderate protein content, which reduces the burden on kidneys, as well as properties that alkalise urine, low calcium and vitamin D content, which helps to limit the formation of oxalate stones.
Animonda Integra Protect Renal: lower animal protein content, which reduces the amount of animal proteins that need to be broken down and excreted, reduces the burden on the kidneys. Animonda Integra Protect Renal also contains lower phosphorus content, which also supports proper kidney function. Moreover, it is grain-free and also well tolerated by fussy cats thanks to its outstanding taste and aroma.
Concept for Life Veterinary Diet Renal: a special food for cats with kidney disease and oxalate stones. It contains less protein, phosphorus and other substances that contribute to stone formation. It is highly accepted even by cats suffering from lack of appetite, a frequent issue in cases of kidney disease.
Kattovit Special Diet Renal: contains reduced protein content, neutralises urine and prevents the formation of struvite stones. It also provides essential ingredients such as taurine and minerals for overall cat health.
Cat food for a cat with kidney disease - what characteristics should it have?
A cat food that addresses kidney disease should contain low levels of phosphorus, high-quality protein, balanced electrolytes, limited sodium content and high moisture content, as well as control urine pH. These properties help to reduce the burden on and support the proper functioning of kidneys, contribute to adequate hydration, which is a critical aspect of kidney disease, and maintain appropriate urine pH.
The best cat foods for kidney care include:
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline Renal: a food containing low phosphorus content and moderate protein content, which reduces the burden on kidneys, as well as properties that alkalise urine, low calcium and vitamin D content, which helps to limit the formation of oxalate stones.
Animonda Integra Protect Renal: lower animal protein content, which reduces the amount of animal proteins that need to be broken down and excreted, reduces the burden on the kidneys. Animonda Integra Protect Renal also contains lower phosphorus content, which also supports proper kidney function. Moreover, it is grain-free and also well tolerated by fussy cats thanks to its outstanding taste and aroma.
Concept for Life Veterinary Diet Renal: a special food for cats with kidney disease and oxalate stones. It contains less protein, phosphorus and other substances that contribute to stone formation. It is highly accepted even by cats suffering from lack of appetite, a frequent issue in cases of kidney disease.
Kattovit Special Diet Renal: contains reduced protein content, neutralises urine and prevents the formation of struvite stones. It also provides essential ingredients such as taurine and minerals for overall cat health.



































































