Best High-Protein Wet Food for Senior Cats with Kidney Issues
The Senior Kidney Paradox: Protein vs. Phosphorus
For decades, the cornerstone of managing feline Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) was the restriction of dietary protein. The logic was that protein metabolism creates nitrogenous waste (measured as BUN in bloodwork), which the kidneys must filter. By lowering protein, we lowered the “workload.”
However, we have encountered a paradox. Senior cats are prone to sarcopenia—the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass. When we put a senior cat on a severely protein-restricted diet, their body begins to catabolize its own muscle to meet its amino acid requirements. This leads to weakness, a compromised immune system, and a diminished quality of life.
Modern veterinary nutrition now focuses on the “Phosphorus vs. Protein” debate. Research indicates that phosphorus is the primary driver of kidney disease progression. High phosphorus levels (hyperphosphatemia) cause further damage to the nephrons. The goal for a senior cat in early-to-mid-stage CKD …
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