AMAZON: Products for Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease
This list of products to help your cat with CKD focuses on Amazon, so it's a great resource if you have a Prime membership! There are a few items not on Amazon that I still highly recommend, so I clearly noted those where applicable. Please feel free...
CKD Food and Supplies
A CKD diet tends to be low phosphorous, low protein, and low sodium. These foods are either available by prescription from your vet specifically for CKD cats, or we have confirmed they have nutritional levels appropriate for CKD cats.
This is honestly such a great test if your pet is displaying signs of food or environmental intolerance. It's easy and the results are quick and comprehensive! Our vet suggested an elimination diet, so this was way quicker, easier, and probably even ...
This is what Winston eats for canned - it was recommended by our vet and is only available with a prescription
Winston didn't care for this food, but it is also a top recommended by vets and only available with a prescription
This is what Winston eats for dry - it was recommended by our vet and is only available with a prescription
Confirmed to be within appropriate phosphorous and protein levels for CKD cats. One of the best choices if not Rx. Several great flavors to choose from. Winston loves the Chicken Turkey Topsy Turvy and we use it to supplement his other wet food.
Confirmed within appropriate phosphorous and protein levels for CKD cats
Confirmed within appropriate phosphorous and protein levels for CKD cats
Confirmed within appropriate phosphorous and protein levels for CKD cats
Great for multi cat homes to make sure your CKD cat is only eating their approved diet. Our other cat has many food allergies, so this really is a life saver. It's activated by their microchips.
Easy to clean unlike many pet water fountains, and promotes hydration which is so important for CKD cats. We have one by the cat food and one outside of our bedroom for when he needs a drink at night.
This is a great bowl that we use for wet food. Since Winston is so old, the elevation and tilt helps him with his mobility - however it's also better for both cats digestion.
If your cat has CKD, they are probably old and make a mess with their food! This helps a ton to keep the mess contained and protect from pesky ants.
CKD Supplements
These supplements have all be approved by Winston's internal medicine vet
This was recommended by our vet for low potassium. It is a gel consistency and smells like maple syrup - Winston was not a fan, but we tried this first since it's supposed to be the best option. The dosage is based on weight and how deficient your ca...
If your cat doesn't like the gel (like Winston), this is a great alternative to treat low potassium. The dosage is based on weight and how deficient your cat is, so be sure to check with your vet before starting a potassium supplement.
Renal K+ is notoriously difficult to get due to stock. We've ordered this when in a pinch, and our vet says it is a very good substitute.
Recommended by our vet to increase hydration. Winston LOVES this so we give him one every night and are now using it to hide his supplements. He even now understands our nightly reference to “Liver Soup” and gets really excited.
This is our vet's preferred probiotic, but Winston doesn't like it. It's a good first one to try, with the FullBucket being a great backup.
This has been a staple in Winston's diet to help keep him regular (he also has IBD). He doesn't seem to mind it mixed in with his food at all, and his vet confirmed the formulation is good.
We use this to supplement calories mixed in with his wet food, as his prescription foods are low calorie and he was losing too much weight.
CKD Treats (Low Phosphorous)
These are some of Winston's favorite treats and are low in phosphorous. They are also great to help with medicines, either as a treat after or to mix in.
Low phosphorous, and very loved by Winston. Similar to Churu treats but much more appropriate nutritionally for CKD cats
These are not Winston's favorite, but they're a great source of calories so we will mix them in with his other (preferred) treats
Winston's favorite!
Grooming
Unfortunately having a CKD cat means there will probably be some messes, as CKD causes hind leg weakness, which creates litterbox challenges. So I recommend starting with wipes and seeing how far that gets you. We recently started shaving around Wins...
I just starting giving Winston sanitary shaves and this was a great tool for a beginner. It's easy to use, low noise, and charges with USB. Definitely recommend if you decide to try grooming at home!
Winston loves these so much he comes running when he hears the bag. It can be hard for older cats to clean, and sometimes CKD cats have accidents, so they are great to have on hand.
This is a less expensive version of the Calm and Cozy wrap that we use when on the road. We prefer the calm and cozy wrap, but this one is easy to clean and since it's cheap we don't mind if it needs to be replaced.
Great to help with sub-Q fluids if your cat does not stay still. We've used ours every other day and washed once a month for the past year and it is still in great shape.
Litter products
We have several litter boxes for home and travel, so all are used and recommended for different purposes.
Game changer for multi cat homes, and the app helps monitor litter box usage.
Great step in box for older cats. This is our back up litter box.
Great bags to use in the Litter Robot
Our favorite litter as it doesn't aggravate our allergies (unscented only)
Unfortunately, accidents are not uncommon in the later stages of CKD. However, we've found Winston only has accidents in one place, so we now keep pee pads down there at all times. It gives us comfort to know he can go there when he needs to, and we ...
General Cat Products
General cat products we love for Winston's daily life as a senior cat or specifically to help with CKD management
A great, safe carrier for road trips that can fit a small litter box, which is a must for any longer trips with a CKD cat (they pee A LOT). It secures in the back seat by strapping to the seatbelt.
These are excellent for older cats with arthritis and we have several around the home leading on to couches and beds
This is the best cat carrier. I have had mine for over 10 years. We mostly use it for vet visits, but we've also flown with it several times.
Big hit in our household to keep warm and help with senior cat achy joints. We actually have two now because they were getting cranky with each other over who got to sleep on the mat.
So adorable and loved by the cats - we keep one one each K&H heated pad for extra comfort
All of the Yeowww! catnip products are well loved in our home
The best harnesses we've found for our big old boy and our petite girl.
Medications
These are available only by prescription. If you think they may be helpful, I recommended speaking with your vet as they have been instrumental in Winston's journey.
Your vet may recommend subcutaneous fluids, which have been very helpful for us. Winston receives 10ml per pound every other day.
These are the best syringes I've found for administering sub-Q fluids. We usually use the 18mm as it goes more quickly, but the 20mm is smaller if your cat is sensitive. Pro tip: Keep your needles in the freezer, and when you inject it put the openin...
Appetite stimulant to help when they aren't eating enough. Winston's internal medicine vet had approved us to use this as often as daily. This is available as a pill and as transdermal - we use the transdermal kind.
Winston gets this for his chronic IBD. He takes this every other day.
This is used for Winston's chronic upper respiratory infection - he gets it every 72 hours
These are perfect for administering oral medications when you're able to get them instead of a pill!