When we think about the health of felines, it is impossible not to talk about food. The best way to ensure the proper functioning of the organism of these animals is with food. Cat can find all the nutrients it needs in this type of food. There are several types of food that meet different specificities of each pet. Kidney food for cats, for example, may be indicated in some cases.However, the process of transitioning from one to the other can be a bit tricky, and it's crucial to know how to do it the right way, so the Paws of the House talked to veterinarian Nathalia Breder, who specializes in animal nutrition, and she gave some tips. check it out!

Kidney food: cats need a doctor's recommendation before starting the diet

First of all, it is necessary to understand what kidney food for cats is and what it is for. According to the specialist, this type of food serves for the basic maintenance of felines, but has some restrictions on quantity, types of protein and other ingredients. "Most kidney foods replace animal protein with vegetable protein, trying to minimize phosphorus overload in the body.Furthermore, Nathalia explains that, as much as these restrictions are necessary to maintain the health of the renal cat, this is a diet that is not indicated for any change in the animal's kidneys. "There are phases in which the feed is recommended, and only the veterinarian will know when to start the new diet", she justifies.

It is also worth noting that renal food for cats should not be used as a form of prevention, because it can have unpleasant consequences for the furry one. "This would lead to the exact opposite, leading to kidney disease".

Feeding your cat: step by step on how to make the transition from traditional food to renal food

The ideal is that, during the transition process, the feline has a normal taste and appetite, without the nausea that is common in kidney disease. "In this way, the probability of him not correlating the food with the discomfort felt during the disease is greater and the success of the adaptation will be better", explains Nathalia. In addition, the professional advises that the tutor should mix the cat food in the food.following ratio to facilitate the transition process:

Day 1: 80% of the feed he already uses + 20% of the kidney feed.

Day 2: 60% of the feed he already uses + 40% of the kidney feed.

Day 3: 40% of the feed he already uses + 60% of the kidney feed.

Day 4: 20% of the feed he already uses + 80% of the kidney feed.

Day 5: 100% of the kidney ration.

Mia, Ana Heloísa's kitten, had to adapt to renal food for cats. Learn how the process was!

Diagnosed with kidney problems, Mia, Ana Heloísa's kitten, needed to change her food as part of the treatment. According to the guardian, the process was smooth, but she did not accept the new food at first. Only after talking to the veterinarian did Ana discover that the best way to make the transition is not to associate the kidney food with the nausea that felines normally feel in this way."The first times I offered this food were always after treatment with serum + medication for nausea or after the medication that helps to stimulate appetite (all prescribed by the veterinarian)," he reveals.

However, when the proportion of kidney food increased, Mia began to reject the food. To reverse this, Ana Heloísa had to change brands and choose another food for renal cats: "Now she is eating super well and 100% of the kidney food. As a guardian, the tip is to be patient and pay attention to the signs that the kitten gives about the best time to offer the food."

Important precautions when switching to renal food for cats

- You can use the kidney sachet to flavor the dry food, or offer it separately;

- Feed should not be introduced in the hospital environment so that the animal does not correlate the taste of the product with the moment of stress and nausea;

- Remember that the introduction of renal feed should be done when the kitten is stable within the disease;

- Chicken should not be used to flavour the feed under any circumstances, as chicken meat has a high concentration of phosphorus, which is exactly what is avoided in the formulation of kidney feed. The rate needs to be monitored constantly in the patient.