PRODUCT NEWS: Staged Feline Diets for Chronic Kidney Disease Now Available

Thirty-one percent of cats over age 10 are affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD), and reduced-protein renal diets can be problematic for these patients. The new Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function diets hope to provide a better option for senior cats.

“Managing cats with CKD has always been a challenge for veterinarians who recognize that most therapeutic kidney diets carry a significant drawback: a lack of the protein cats in early stages of CKD need to fuel and preserve lean body mass,” said Jason Gagné, DVM, DACVN, director of veterinary technical communications for Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets.

He believes that taking a one-size-fits-all, reduced-protein nutritional approach with all cats at all stages of CKD may not be optimal.

For this reason, Purina has developed 2 separate diets—with wet and dry versions of each—to help veterinarians who may be struggling to manage renal issues in their feline patients.

The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function Early Care formula contains:

• Restricted phosphorus to help minimize the release of parathyroid hormone and prevent secondary hyperparathyroidism
• Omega-3 fatty acids to help reduce inflammatory mediators
• Moderate protein, which may help maintain lean body mass in early stages of CKD
• A non-acidifying formulation to help counteract metabolic acidosis

The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function Advanced Care formula, made specifically for cats in the later stages of CKD, has similar benefits to the Early Care diet but also contains reduced amounts of high-quality protein to minimize the production of filtered nitrogenous waste products, which contribute to azotemia.

With these 2 new therapeutic diets, Purina believes the treatment of feline CKD has evolved, allowing veterinarians to better treat their patients dealing with this condition. “Proper nutritional management of these patients can significantly affect length and quality of life,” Dr. Gagné said.