The Best Treats for Cats with Kidney Disease

By :Becki Baumgartner, Certified Master Herbalist 0 comments

We understand how challenging it can be when your beloved cat is dealing with kidney disease.

It can feel overwhelming to navigate their dietary needs, searching for the perfect food and treats that will support their health.

Our founding vets, Dr. Marc Smith and Dr. Casey Damron, consider freeze dried beef kidney treats the best treats for cats with kidney disease.

Their choice stems from both an Eastern or Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) perspective and a Western perspective.

They believe in “using treats for a reason,” and “using food as medicine” to help your cat live a longer and happier life.

Below I’ll explain why they choose freeze dried beef kidney treats as the best treats for cats with kidney disease.

From a Western Perspective: Freeze Dried Beef Kidney Treats for Cats with Kidney Disease

When it comes to caring for cats with kidney disease, freeze-dried beef kidney treats offer numerous advantages from a Western viewpoint.

Provides High-Quality Protein

High-quality animal protein, found abundantly in beef kidney, is crucial for cats' muscle maintenance and repair.

Despite the need for controlled protein intake in cats with kidney disease, offering them easily digestible sources like freeze-dried beef kidney treats ensures they receive the essential nutrients they need to thrive.

Contains Essential Nutrients

Beef kidney offers a bounty of essential nutrients, including vital B vitamins (such as B12, riboflavin, and niacin) as well as essential minerals like iron, zinc, and selenium.

These nutrients are crucial for supporting your cat's overall health, particularly if they have kidney issues.

Tastes Good and Stimulates Appetite

When cats suffer from kidney disease, they might lose interest in eating or become selective about their food.

That's where freeze-dried beef kidney treats come in – they're irresistible to cats and can re-ignite their appetite, ensuring they get the essential nutrition they need.

Promoting healthy eating habits is essential for preserving your cat's body condition and preventing muscle loss.

From a TCVM Perspective: Freeze Dried Beef Kidney Treats for Cats With Kidney Disease

Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) provides unique insights into the benefits of freeze-dried beef kidney treats for cats grappling with kidney disease.

Warms and Tonifies the Kidneys

In Eastern medicine, we see the kidneys as the foundation of life.

By giving your cat beef kidney treats, you're providing warmth and strength to their vital organs.

This helps boost your cat's kidney health, promoting better circulation and overall well-being, according to Eastern theory.

Nourishes Yin and Essence

In TCVM, if you have a cat with kidney disease, it's likely due to imbalances in Yin energy and Essence (Jing).

Yin is all about cooling and nourishing your body, while Essence is the key to vitality and longevity.

When you give your cat freeze-dried beef kidney treats, you're actually nourishing both Yin and Essence.

This helps to refill the energy that's been drained in cats with kidney issues, ultimately supporting their overall health and happiness.

Provides Kidney Support

In TCVM theory, there's a philosophy of "like treats like."

Basically, if you're having issues with a certain organ, consuming that same organ can actually support its function in your body.

In fact, as medical doctor Robert J. Kiltz explains, “as a part of the like-supports-like properties of many organ meats, kidney contains the rare amino acid, L-ergothioneine, a compound that may promote the kidney health of people who ingest it.”

By providing freeze-dried beef kidney treats, Eastern medicine theorizes the natural essence and energy found in beef kidneys can actually transfer to your cat's own kidneys.

And, the transfer can help with healing and bring back balance to that organ.

Additional Benefits

Feeding freeze-dried beef kidney treats not only supports your cat's kidneys but also offers a range of other health benefits.

According to Eastern theory, beef kidney treats also help with:

geriatric health concerns
incontinence
reproductive issues
arthritis

How to Use Freeze Dried Beef Kidney Treats for Cats With Kidney Disease

Our founding veterinarians (and creators of PET | TAO) recommend PET | TAO Freeze Dried Beef Kidney Treats.

You can use them as a treat, training reward, or reconstitute in warm water for 3-5 minutes and use as a food topper.

To get the beneficial effects of the treats, feed your cat at treat 1-3 treats per day.

About Phosphorus & Protein

Yes, freeze-dried raw beef kidney treats do contain some phosphorus and protein, as do all organ treats.

And, when your cat has kidney disease, it's crucial to steer clear of excessive phosphorus in their diet. In the later stages, you need to limit protein.

But here's the thing: our founding vets have been suggesting freeze-dried raw kidney treats to kidney disease patients for years, and it's been incredibly successful.

Many other veterinarians trained in Eastern medicine have also seen positive results. It's a different approach from Western medicine, but it's effective.

According to our founding vet, Dr. Casey Damron, the amount of phosphorus and protein in freeze-dried kidney treats, when fed in the appropriate amount, is not a concern. Especially if your cat is taking a phosphorus binder like Renakitin or Epakitin.

The Eastern benefits of feeding kidney far outweigh the minimal amount of phosphorus consumed.

However, it's important to stick to the recommended amounts, especially for cats with kidney disease. Don't go overboard!

Keep in mind that you're using food as medicine now, so moderation is key.

Just like with any medication, too much can have negative effects.