CHEWY: Products for Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease
This list of products to help your cat with CKD focuses on Chewy, and I highly recommend their autoship option, which will save you 5%. This sure adds up over time given the amount we invest in our CKD cats. There are a few items not on Chewy that I ...
CKD Food and Supplies
A CKD diet is generally 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 appropraite for CKD cats.
Vet recommended, only available with a prescription
Vet recommended, only available with a prescription - this is what Winston eats
Winston loves the Chicken Turkey Topsy Turvy and we use it to supplement his other wet food. 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,
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
This canned food needs a prescription from your vet. It comes in several textures, which is great since Winston will only eat the E (loaf in sauce) but I've heard other cat parents say their fur babies have a different preference.
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.
We use these bowls for wet food - they help with Winston's limited mobility and both cats' digestion!
This mat is essential to keep our messy eaters' crumb contained, and has really helped keep ants away.
Chewy has many water fountains, but I don't feel comfortable recommending one other than this. We've tried several, and this is by far the best. Easy to clean unlike many pet water fountains, and promotes hydration which is so important for CKD cats....
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.
Winston didn't like this as much as the FullBucket item I have linked from Amazon, but it was the top recommended by our vet so it's worth a try first.
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.
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!
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.
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.
These are excellent for older cats with arthritis and we have several around the home leading on to couches and beds. I recommend this brand as it holds up well - we even travel with ours.
These have been a 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.
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.
All of the Yeowww! catnip products are well loved in our home
The best harnesses we've found that meet the needs of both our big old boy and our petite girl.
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.
So adorable and loved by the cats - we keep one one each K&H heated pad for extra comfort
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 bags to use in the Litter Robot
Our favorite litter as it doesn't aggrevate our allergies (unscented only)
Great step in box for older cats. This is our back up litter box.
Accidents are unfortunately not uncommon in the later stages of CKD. We've found Winston only has accidents in one place (a corner in the family room), so we now keep pee pads down there at all times. It gives us comfort to know he can go there when ...
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.
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.
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 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...
Our preferred lactated ringers!
This is our preferred infusion set