A large part of keeping your cat happy and healthy is good nutrition. This means feeding them the right stuff like low protein cat food if needed. Cat food should contain everything your cat needs as well as additional nutrients like antioxidants and fish oils.
Cats that suffer from an illness or disease often need specialty food to help them stay healthy. Sometimes, the best way to manage an illness is with some extra fiber, higher calories, or low protein.
Vets usually prescribe low protein food for cats that suffer from liver or kidney diseases. This special food can not only help assist in treating these diseases but also provide nutritional support and additional benefits.
Helping your cat deal with their diseases like constipation can seem overwhelming, but with the right nutrients, they can still live a long and happy life.
Here are some of the best low protein cat food options available.
Contents
What is Low Protein Cat Food?
Cats, like other carnivores, need protein to stay healthy. But in some cases, the amount of protein in normal cat food is too high for your kitty. If your cat has liver or kidney problems, excess protein can put additional strain on their organs.
Luckily, a low protein cat food can help ease this. And even though this cat food contains less protein, it still contains all the nutrients your kitty needs to stay healthy.
Most low protein cat foods are really tasty in order to stimulate the appetites of cats with illnesses. And they come in both dry and wet food, catering to even the pickiest kitty.
Picking a Low Protein Cat Food
There are a few things besides restricted protein that you need to look out for when buying low protein cat food.
- It’s important that the proteins are of high quality, this will make sure your cat is able to digest and metabolise the food easily.
- Your cat food should also contain low levels of phosphorus, this can help delay the progression of chronic kidney disease.
- Additionally, a good low protein cat food should contain vitamins and minerals as well as antioxidants and fatty acids.
These will all give your cat the support they need to stay happy and healthy.
9. Best Low Protein Cat Food Options
Low-protein cat foods are widely available online, but for some, you will need a veterinary prescription.
Here are the best low-protein cat foods on the market.
4 Best Low Protein Wet Cat Food Options
You will find that there are many more options for dry food than wet food when it comes to high-protein levels diets for cats. This is because most commercial wet foods are higher in protein than dry foods.
Some good low-protein wet food options are available for cats on prescription diets or to prevent food allergies.
1. Hills Prescription Diet Kidney Care
Not only does this food contain low protein and phosphorus, but it also includes fish oil, which can have numerous benefits for your cat. It’s also full of antioxidants and your cats shouldn’t need any persuading to eat this food, it’s delicious.
This food is specifically formulated to help cats with kidney disease and comes in wet and dry options. It protects the kidneys, provides nutrients and will give your kitty a nice little energy boost.
The best part, the nutrition of the Hills k/d is clinically tested to improve and lengthen the quality of life.
You will need a veterinary prescription for this food but your kitty will thank you for it.
⇒ Hills Prescription Diet Kidney Care Wet Food / Dry Food
2. Royal Canin Renal Support
The Royal Canin Renal Support cat food range varies quite greatly. Their range comes with different letters on the pack. Each letter offers uniquely shaped food and aims to stimulate your cat’s appetite and encourage eating.
The energy-dense formula will ensure that even if your cat only eats a little, it’ll still receive all the benefits.
This food has low-protein levels as well as antioxidants, fatty acids, and low phosphorus levels. You can use it in combination with a variety of their other appetite-stimulating wet and dry cat foods.
When purchasing this food, the supplier may ask you for veterinary authorization because it is a specialty food.
⇒ Royal Canin Renal Support Dry / Wet Food
3. Felix Original Fish Selection In Jelly Cat Food
This wet food from Felix Original is a great option for cats who enjoy fish-based high-quality protein meals. It contains salmon, trout, and whitefish as its main animal protein sources.
These fish are naturally low in phosphorus and sodium, making them a great option for cats on low-protein diets.
Made with high-quality ingredients and various fish flavors, this cat food provides 100% of your cat’s daily needs.
The pouches are convenient for mealtimes. The formula used in Felix foods is based on the natural diet of felines in the wild. This means that the foods provide all the nutrients your cat needs to stay healthy and happy.
The company also strongly commits to animal welfare and only sources ingredients from suppliers who meet their high standards.
4. Wellness Healthy Indulgence Chicken & Turkey Shreds In Light Sauce Wet Cat Food
If you have a picky eater on your hands, this natural chicken and turkey from Wellness Healthy Indulgence might be the key to getting them to chow down.
It’s grain free and features chicken and turkey in a light sauce that will make it seem more of a treat than a portion of healthy food.
⇒ Wellness Healthy Indulgence Natural Grain Free
Best Low Protein Dry Food Options
1. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function Early Care / Advanced Care
Whether you’re taking care of a newly diagnosed cat or one who has been battling kidney disease for a while, Purina has a low-protein food for you. This great-tasting food will stimulate their appetite while also satisfying their needs.
It was made in collaboration with nutritionists, vets, and researchers to make sure your cat is getting all the nutrients they need. It has a high protein-to-calorie ratio that is both low in fat and contains omega-3 fatty acids and plenty of natural fiber. And it can also help with weight loss or maintenance.
When buying this food, the supplier may ask for a veterinary prescription, so it’s safest to check with your vet first.
⇒ Shop USA Purina Advanced Care Dry Food / Wet Food
⇒ Shop USA Purina Early Care Dry/ WetFood
2. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Renal Function
The UK equivalent of the Purina Kidney Function is named Renal Function and has similar benefits.
The food also has low levels of high-quality protein and a low level of phosphorus which will help slow down the progression of kidney disease. This will help slow the flood of toxins while helping to strengthen your cat’s muscles.
Most suppliers will ask you for veterinary approval when buying this food
⇒ Shop UK Purina Kidney Function Dry Food/ Wet Food
3. Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Kidney + Mobility Support
Blue Buffalo’s Kidney + Mobility Support food has controlled protein and mineral levels. This grain-free food also has low levels of phosphorus and sodium.
It’s made from high-quality protein and plenty of other great things that will not only help with your cat’s mobility but will also keep its joints healthy. It includes both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as well as selected vitamins and minerals to help boost immunity.
It comes in both wet and dry food, and you’ll need a veterinary prescription to purchase this food.
⇒ Shop Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Kidney + Mobility Support Dry Food/ Wet Food
4. Specific (VetXX) FKD & FKW Kidney Support Cat Food
This food provides an ideal diet for cats no matter what stage of renal failure they’re in. It provides the necessary support for all vital organs and slows down any further kidney decline in your cat.
It has low phosphorus levels and a high level of fish oil, helping to keep your cat’s blood pressure down.
The low levels of protein and minerals decrease the workload of the kidneys. It supports a healthy heart with L-carnitine and Taurine. This food also has increased vitamins and lower salt levels.
It comes in both dry and wet food, which will help maintain your cat’s weight while preventing appetite loss.
⇒ Shop UK Specific (VetXX) FKD & FKW Kidney Support Cat Food
5. Forza10 Nutraceutic Renal Support Diet Dry Cat Food
As the name suggests, this energy-dense formula is designed to help support your kitty’s kidneys.
Forza10 Nutraceutic Renal Support dry cat food is made with high-quality ingredients with low carbohydrate content and is free of wheat, soy, corn, GMOs, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
It comes with cold-pressed supplements to boost your cat’s health.
⇒ Shop Forza10 Nutraceutic Renal Support Diet Dry Cat Food
Frequently Asked Questions
Can low-protein cat food be fed to kittens?
It is generally not recommended to feed low-protein cat food to kittens. Kittens have different nutritional needs than adult cats and require a diet that is higher in protein to support their growth and development.
Can low-protein cat food be fed to senior cats?
Low-protein cat food may be a good option for senior cats with certain health conditions that require a lower protein diet, such as kidney disease or liver disease. However, it is important to consult with a veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist to determine the specific nutritional needs of your senior cat/
Final Thoughts on Low-Protein Cat Food
Putting your kitty on a special diet can seem tricky, but there are plenty of delicious and appetizing foods available for your feline friend. When caring for your cat, ensuring they get the right nutrients is vital to its quality of life.
Not only do they need low protein, but you also need to ensure they’re getting any vitamins, minerals and fatty acids they might need. Specialist cat foods normally cost a little more than supermarket brands, but the support they give your cat is definitely worth the extra money.
Please Note: This low protein cat food post contains affiliate links. That means if you click through on most of the links and end up making a purchase I will receive a small commission. This will not effect the price that you pay. I wanted to make sure that you were aware of this.
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Amanda created and owns The Discerning Cat. A lifelong cat lover she is the proud parent of two Siberian cats, Alexei and Vladimir. She is passionate about understanding cats and different cat breeds.