This post is sponsored by Darwin’s Natural Pet Food and contains affiliate links*
If you’ve followed us for a while, you already know that we’re big fans of Darwin’s raw food. It’s Allegra’s favorite, and we like everything about this food. Today, I’d like to introduce you to a unique offering in the raw food market: Darwin’s Intelligent Design™, a raw prescription diet for cats with kidney disease.
The right diet for cats with kidney disease
There’s so much misinformation out there about what cats with kidney disease should eat. Many conventional vets will recommend a prescription diet for cats who show even a slight deviation of normal kidney values. That’s because there are some research trials – not coincidentally, sponsored by the very companies that sell these diets – that have shown that restricted protein diets can prolong renal function. However, there is much more to feeding a cat with compromised kidney function than simply restricting protein. In fact, protein restriction may not be indicated until the very final stages of the disease. Until then, the consequences of making poor dietary choices in these cats can be dire.
There is no single diet that is right for all cats with kidney disease
Multiple factors are important when it comes to diet for cats with kidney disease. Moisture is critical. An appropriate diet for these cats should contain additional potassium, reduced sodium and phosphorus levels, and increased omega-3 fatty acid levels. Since protein restriction impacts healthy body condition, a good diet for these cats should contain high quality protein. When protein is inadequate, cats start to loose muscle mass. Feline veterinarian Elizabeth Colleran explains in detail what cats with kidney disease should be eating, and it may not be what your vet is telling you.
Darwin’s Intelligent Design™ Kidney Support Formula
Darwin’s offers a specialized formula designed to provide extra support to cats facing kidney disease. These highly palatable and nutritious meals use only hormone-free, antibiotic-free, and pesticide-free meats, with no grains, added fillers or chemical preservatives. Key benefits of this diet include
- Appropriate protein levels
- Restricted Phosphorus
- Included natural Phosphorus binder Chitosan
- Increased calcium levels (minimizes phosphorus absorption)
- Enhanced long chain Omega 3 Fatty Acids for glomerular health
- Increased Vitamin B levels to replace those lost in the urine
- Added Botanicals and Extracts
Darwin’s Intelligent Design™ Kidney Support Formula requires a prescription from your veterinarian.
For more information and to order, please visit DarwinsPet.com.
*FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, which means that I was compensated to feature this content. Regardless of payment received, you will only see products or services featured on this site that we’ve either used or would use ourselves. The Conscious Cat is a participant in Darwin’s affiliate program. This means that if you decide to purchase through any of our links, we get a small commission.
Photo via Darwin’s Facebook page, used with permission
