What Does a Non-Prescription, Low-Phosphorous Wet Cat Food Imply?

Non-prescription low-phosphorus wet cat food refers to cat food made more kidney-friendly for cats requiring less phosphorus. It also offers a balanced, daily diet appropriate for long-term feeding. Notably, you do not need a vet’s prescription to buy this cat food.

That said, let’s explore the six brands of food for cats with kidney disease you can buy over the counter.

Our Preferred Product

Forza10 Wet Renal Cat Food  is our preferred choice among the various low-phosphorus cat foods we reviewed. This cat food contains few ingredients that help manage various renal and cardiac health conditions. Also, it is easily digestible, ideal for cats with sensitive stomachs, and its creation has scientific backing. 

Other Foods We Reviewed

Dave’s Pet Food  (Best for lessening kidney workload)

Weruva TruLuxe Cat Food  (Best for promoting urinary tract health)

Hill’s Science Diet Wet Cat Food  (Best for sustaining kidney and vital organ health)

Wellness Healthy Indulgence Morsels in Sauce  (Best for supporting urinary tract, skin, and coat health)

Fussie Cat Super Premium Chicken Formula in Gravy  (Best for balancing kidney health)

A Product Deep Dive

Forza10 Wet Renal Cat Food : Best Overall

Product Description

Forza10 Wet Renal Cat Food contains meat from New Zealand lambs raised on pasture. It also includes a blend of organic, medicinal plants and fruits with a likable taste and helps treat your feline friend’s sensitive stomach.

This canned cat food is also ideal for managing renal and cardiac issues, including congestive heart failure, acute or chronic renal failure, and ailments necessitating diets low in protein, phosphorus, and sodium in cats.

Because it has fewer ingredients, this renal cat food is easily digestible. Additionally, it is free of GMOs, corn, wheat, soy, byproducts, artificial coloring, artificial flavoring, and chemical preservatives. So, it is entirely natural.

Notably, renowned veterinarians and nutritionists worldwide contributed to creating this feline renal food. After conducting 30 meticulous scientific and clinical studies, they developed a wellness formula that quickly improves your cat’s kidney health and vitality.

Brand: Forza10

Flavor note: Lamb lung

Pros

Some Amazon customers say it can help cats suffering from kidney disease regain weight, coat health, and energy.

Cons

Some Amazon reviews claim it contains a foul smell that some cats dislike, thus refusing to eat it.

Dave’s Pet Food : Best for Lessening Kidney Workload

Product Description

This low-phosphorus (0.15%) cat food is ideal for lessening kidney workload. It helps to safeguard your cat’s essential kidney function, resulting in better renal health and a longer lifespan. Additionally, this cat food’s high moisture content regulates kidney health.

Dave’s Pet Food is protein-rich, nutrient-dense, juicy chicken pate packed with 17 essential vitamins, minerals, and taurine.

Feed your cat 0.5 to 1.5 cans of this food for every 4 to 8 pounds (1.8 to 3.6 kilograms) of body weight daily for optimal benefits. However, the feeding should be occasional. Lastly, always feed at room temperature and store any leftovers in a refrigerator.

Brand: Dave’s Pet Food

Flavor: Chicken liver

Pros

Some Amazon customers find it more affordable than other kidney-care cat foods. 

Others claim it is dense and needs added water to stretch it, which is a good opportunity to give their cats more water.

Cons

Some Amazon reviews claim that this cat food causes diarrhea.

Other reviews state that some cats dislike this cat food because of its taste or smell.

Weruva TruLuxe Cat Food : Best for Promoting Urinary Tract Health

Product Description

Weruva TruLuxe Cat Food contains carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato, and grass-fed Australian beef in gravy. Its low phosphorus, magnesium, and ash content and 86% moisture content promote a healthy urinary tract.

Additionally, this low-phosphorus wet cat food is free of gluten, grains, and carrageenan. Moreover, it is free of artificial coloring, preservatives, corn, wheat, or soy.

Also, its production happens in human food facilities following the toughest British Retail Consortium (B.R.C) global food standards. Finally, it is a fully balanced diet that has vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant supplements.

Brand: Weruva

Flavor: 

Steak Frites (beef & pumpkin)

Duck

Glam ‘N Punk (lamb & duck)

Honor Roll (Saba)

Kawa Booty (Kawakawa tuna)

Mediterranean Harvest (tuna & veggies)

Meow Mea River (Basa)

Peking Ducken (chicken & duck)

Pumpkin (chicken, beef & pumpkin)

Quick ‘N Quirky (chicken and turkey)

Salmon 

On The Cat Wok (chicken, beef & pumpkin)

Pretty In Pink (salmon)

TruSurf variety (assorted flavors)

Pros

Some Amazon customers claim that they replaced prescribed cat food with this one, and the results were positive regarding managing kidney disease. 

It comes in several flavors to match your cat’s taste preference.

Cons

Some Amazon reviews claim that it causes occasional vomiting in cats.

Others claim it is more expensive than other cat food low in phosphorus.

Other reviews claim it is too liquid and not filling, making them feed a lot of it to their cats.

Hill’s Science Diet Wet Cat Food : Best for Sustaining Kidney and Vital Organs’ Health

Product Description

Your cat will receive the ideal balance of precise nutrients and tender, real meat chunks from Hill’s Science Diet Wet Cat Food. Its ingredients sustain kidney and vital organ health. It also contains high-quality protein for lean muscle. Additionally, this natural, easy-to-digest cat food is veterinarian-recommended.

However, this cat food, which is low in phosphorus, is not ideal for nursing or pregnant cats.

For best results, always cover and refrigerate any unused portion of this cat food. Moreover, modify feeding schedules as needed to keep your cat’s weight at your ideal level. If unsure about the feeding portion modification, consult a veterinarian. 

Is this food new to your cat? If so, gradually combine your pet’s new food with progressively less of its previous diet over seven days.

Brand: Hill’s Science Diet

Age range: 7+ years

Flavor: Chicken, tuna

Pros

Some Amazon customers claim this food is ideal for cats with sensitive stomachs.

Others claim that it supports the fluffiness of their cats’ coats.

Cons

Some Amazon reviews hold that this cat food has a bad smell that some cats dislike.

Wellness Healthy Indulgence Morsels in Sauce : Best for Supporting Urinary Tract, Skin, and Coat Health

Product Description

Mealtime becomes quick and simple with Wellness Healthy Indulgence Morsels in Sauce because it comes in an easy-to-open, ready-to-serve container. Also, it is a full and balanced daily nutrition for your cat.

This non-prescription low-phosphorus wet cat food is also a slow-cooked, all-natural dish made with real meat chunks. 

Furthermore, it contains no artificial colors, flavors, corn, soy, wheat, or wheat gluten—only premium ingredients, including cranberries and blueberries, that support your cat’s urinary tract health. It also has vital vitamins and minerals like flaxseed and omega-3 fatty acids to support healthy skin and coat.

Lastly, every order comes with an exclusive pet paws notepad.

Brand: Wellness Healthy Indulgence

Age range: Adult

Flavor: 

Chicken & turkey

Chicken & salmon

Chicken & chicken liver

Salmon & tuna

Turkey & duck

Tuna

Pros

Some Amazon customers use it to manage the weight of their senior cats.

Cons

Some Amazon reviews say it is more expensive than other low-phosphorous cat foods.

Other reviews assert that it gives diarrhea to cats.

Fussie Cat Super Premium Chicken Formula in Gravy : Best for Balancing Kidney Health

Product Description

Fussie Cat Super Premium Chicken Formula in Gravy contains chicken as the first ingredient. Because its production happens in a facility for human consumables, its ingredients are human-grade.

Moreover, this cat food is rich in DHA and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Also, it is grain-free and does not contain potatoes, byproducts, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, artificial flavors, and artificial preservatives. 

This low-phosphorous cat food also contains 83% moisture, magnesium, and healthy fiber to support easy digestion. Lastly, its production quality controls satisfy international standards, guaranteeing full support for your cat’s kidney health.

Brand: Fussie Cat

Age range: Adult

Flavor: Chicken

Pros

Some Amazon customers claim it can stabilize a cat’s stool if it’s having diarrhea.

Others say it smells likable to cats, making it easily ingestible.

Cons

Some Amazon reviews claim that it contains vegetables and peas that some cats dislike.

What to Look for in Low-Phosphorous, Non-Prescription Wet Cat Food

If you want to buy the best low-phosphorus cat food, the following are some of the factors to consider:

CKD and Protein

Notably, there is a production of waste, including urea, when dietary protein breaks down during digestion. It is the function of healthy kidneys to filter this waste. 

However, the more kidney health your cat loses, the harder it is to eliminate these waste products. In return, waste products stay in your cat’s bloodstream rather than leaving their body. That’s why cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have higher blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. 

Remember, veterinarians use BUN analysis as part of routine blood work to assess kidney health.

Cats with chronic kidney disease require diets low in protein to lower their BUN levels. However, this practice has grown more and more contentious in recent years.

Experts are concerned that severely restricting protein intake will result in low muscle mass, poor physical condition, and severe protein deprivation. So, rather than reducing protein intake to 20% or less of total calories, you may feed moderate amounts of highly digestible, low-waste protein from premium animal sources.

Ultimately, you want to make your cat feel better, not worse. However, a diet low in protein can make some cats feel better but can also cause weakness and muscle wasting. So, it would help if you discussed the advantages and disadvantages of feeding your cat a low-protein diet with your veterinarian.

Phosphorous Content

Phosphorus in cat food is one of the substances that does not get filtered out when kidney function decreases. So, your cat can become ill and experience a faster decline in kidney function as phosphorus builds up in the blood.

The best strategy to offset this effect is to lower the phosphorus content of your cat’s food. So, less than 0.5% of the dry matter in a cat’s diet should be phosphorus-based to reduce the effects of cat kidney disease.

Low Sodium Content

Most renal (kidney) diets are low in sodium because too much of it can raise blood pressure and exacerbate kidney damage. So, it would help if you don’t feed your cat any foods high in sodium, such as salty cheese.

Anti-Inflammatory Omega-3 Fatty Acids

A common side effect of kidney disease in cats is nephritis or inflammation of the kidneys. In addition to other supplements that reduce inflammation, it is best to feed your cat omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA. Notably, fatty acids lower inflammation, making your cat feel better.

While omega-3 fatty acids from plant sources, such as flaxseed oil, benefit other animals, cats can only use those from animal fat. Krill and fish oils, such as sardine, menhaden, and salmon oils, are good sources. 

Another option is green-lipped mussels. They are the ocean’s most concentrated source of EPA fatty acid and a good source of other omega-3s as well.

Even though various foods contain these healthy fats, you may also want to add an omega-3 supplement to your cat’s diet.

B Vitamin Supplementation

Cats with kidney disease frequently lose essential B vitamins because they urinate so much. Notably, insufficient B vitamins relate to decreased appetite and general health problems.

Kidney disease prescriptions or therapeutic diets have an extra B-complex vitamin enhancement. A veterinarian may also recommend B12 shots as a boost.

You can also give your cat a multivitamin supplement such as Vetoquinol Renal K+, vitamins in their food, and subcutaneous injections. This gel, ideal for pets with kidney disease, contains potassium and B-complex vitamins. Both components help maintain the health of your cat’s nervous system and its muscles.

High Moisture Content

Cats with kidney disease frequently become dehydrated because the illness makes them urinate a lot and lose their appetite. Subcutaneous fluid injections, or injections beneath the skin, are typical ways to keep cats hydrated, but there are ways to encourage your cat to drink more water.

Since wet food contains at least 70% water, it gives your cat the necessary hydration in a simple way. Your cat may receive an extra four ounces (118.3 milliliters) of water daily if you change a dry diet to a wet one. Also, they receive the same amount, if not more, from a standard fluid injection.

Although your cat may still require additional subcutaneous fluids, feeding them a juicy diet will significantly lower their risk of developing severe dehydration.

Frequently Asked Questions on Non-Prescription, Low-Phosphorous Wet Feline Food

What is Considered Low-Phosphorous in Cat Food?

However, it’s important to note that this refers solely to the phosphorus levels. So, even low-phosphorous food must contain balanced amounts of other vital nutrients. A diet too low in phosphorus but also deficient in other nutrients would not be healthy long-term.

However, checking with your veterinarian about your cat’s needs is best.

What Should a Cat With Kidney Disease Not Eat?

Foods high in sodium or phosphorus are not ideal for cats suffering from kidney disease. Additionally, you should avoid giving high-protein diets to cats with renal disease. It is also essential to regulate protein levels so they are neither too high nor too low. For advice on the best diet to feed your cat if it has kidney disease, consult your veterinarian.

What Worsens Feline Kidney Disease?

Kidney disease can worsen due to improper diet, high salt or phosphate content, dehydration, low potassium, hypertension, and anemia.

How We Selected the Products

We always conduct various assessments before a product qualifies to be on our list.

We aim to provide the best possible cat food recommendations by rapidly comparing nutrients between different brands and flavors.

We also get information from the food label about calories, texture, types of minerals, and omega-3 sources. 

We also find out who makes a particular brand. Next, we look into the company’s transparency, recall history, and track record. We only recommend cat food produced that meets high standards.  

We also look up reviews of each pet food company from outside sources. So, we constantly consult consumer watch organizations. We also source information from pet industry newsletters and any published interviews with a specific company.

Our Review Process 

Our staff knows how critical it is to give accurate, unbiased information about the products our cats use daily. 

Additionally, we thoroughly investigate products before writing a review. Our product recommendations have the backing of extensive market research, in-depth examination of hundreds of validated customer reviews, in-person testing when feasible, customer reviews and feedback, and industry expertise.

We’ve Got You Covered

If your cat suffers from kidney disease, it is advisable to introduce it to a low-phosphorous diet, especially a non-prescription one, because it is easily accessible.

Suppose you are at a loss to identify the best pick. In that case, we recommend Forza10 Wet Renal Cat Food  because it is all-natural and contains few ingredients that help manage various renal and cardiac conditions. This cat food is also easily digestible, ideal for cats with sensitive stomachs, and has a scientifically-backed creation.

Now, it is time to prolong your cat’s lifespan with non-prescription low-phosphorous cat food that manages kidney disease.