Cat treats are more than a snack. For cats with kidney disease they can be the perfect addition to round out their renal support diet.

We have reviewed and compared over fifteen different cat treats on their benefits for cats with kidney disease and picked the top 5 renal cat treats. Read our guide to find out what treats are best for your cat.

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A Quick Look At Our Favorites

ProductRatingWhy We Like It
1Fancy Feast Purely Natural Cat TreatsAll NaturalBuy on Amazon
2Blue Buffalo Wilderness Cat TreatsLow CalorieBuy on Amazon
3VetriScience Laboratories Hairball ChewsHairball ControlBuy on Amazon
4Hartz Delectables Bisque Senior 15+High PotassiumBuy on Amazon
5Friskies Lil’ SoupsMoisture RichBuy on Amazon
MoistureProtein* (min.)Fat* (min.)Fiber* (max.)Carbs* (approx.)Ash* (approx.)Calories (approx.)Allergens
170%84%2%2%0%12%134 / 100gseafood
228%27%32%3%%%1.5 / treatnone
3%%%%%% /none
490%80%1%10%%%16 / packseafood
592%80%1%12%%%18 / cupseafood
What We LikeWhat We Don't Like
1
  • Single source of quality animal protein
  • Moisture rich
  • Low in fat
  • No by-products
  • No artificial colors or flavors
  • Grain-free
  • Fish flavors are not for cats with seafood allergies
2
  • Low calorie
  • No by-products
  • No artificial colors or flavors
  • Grain-free
  • High in calcium
  • Contains salt
  • Not for picky eaters
3
  • Removes and prevents hairballs
  • Improves digestion
  • Healthy skin
  • Shiny coat
  • Not that soft
  • Not all cats like them
4
  • Easily mixed in with food
  • Helps to maintain a healthy weight
  • High in potassium
  • High in quality animal protein
  • Moisture rich
  • Low in fat
  • Causes gastric upset in some cats
  • Not for cats with seafood allergies
5
  • Easily mixed in with food
  • Helps to maintain a healthy weight
  • High in quality animal protein
  • Moisture rich
  • Low in fat
  • Not all cats like it
  • Not for cats with seafood allergies

Top 5 Treats For Cats With Kidney Disease

Cat treats are a quick and easy way to supplement your cat’s diet. And one that your cat will welcome too! Check out our selection of the top 5 best treats for cats with kidney disease. Please use it as a guide to select the perfect treat for your cat.

Best All-Round Cat Treat: Fancy Feast Purely Natural Cat Treats

Fancy Feast Purely Natural Cat Treats are oven-baked flakes of real chicken or fish with a chewy texture. They are an all natural and high protein snack, perfect for cats with kidney disease and a sensitive stomach. If your cat is in renal failure and has a hard time keeping up her body weight, add these limited ingredient treats to her diet to boost her calories.

With no added ingredients, Fancy Feast Purely Natural Cat Treats fit into any kidney diet. They are easy on both the digestive and the renal system. There are also no excesses of harmful substances or minerals that put an unnecessary strain on the kidneys.

If you are looking for a reliable, all-round healthy treat to add to your kidney disease cat’s diet, then Fancy Feast Purely Natural is the way to go. With 3 flavors to choose from you are sure to find one that your cat goes crazy for. You can find a full nutritional analysis of Fancy Feast Purely Natural Chicken Treats in our Cat Food Database.

Nutrients
Moisture70%
Protein*min. 84%
Fat*min. 2%
Fiber*max. 2%
Carbs*approx. 0%
Ash*approx. 12%
Caloriesapprox. 134 / 100g
Allergensseafood
* on a dry matter basis
What We Like
  • Single source of quality animal protein
  • Moisture rich
  • Low in fat
  • No by-products
  • No artificial colors or flavors
  • Grain-free
What We Don't Like
  • Fish flavors are not for cats with seafood allergies

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Best Low Calorie Cat Treat: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Cat Treats

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Cat Treats are bite-sized, low calorie treats with a good amount of animal protein. They are completely free of grains and by-products and only have 1.5 calories per treat. These treats are a healthy snack you can give throughout the day to lift your cat’s spirits.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Treats have a chewy texture and a flat, rectangular shape. Not all cats seem to care as much for this. The shape especially can be awkward for them to chew. Nevertheless, most cats go nuts over the flavor. If the treats are too big for your kitty, you can easily break them into smaller pieces. It’ll make the treats last longer too!

The one thing to watch out for with Blue Buffalo Wilderness treats is that they contain a bit more calcium and sodium than the other treats we reviewed. Too much calcium can cause digestive problems and urinary crystals. Too much salt and raise your cat’s blood pressure and put her at risk for heart failure. Only give your kitty these treats if you have the all clear from your vet. And be sure not to go overboard on the treats. A little goes a long way.

Check out our full nutritional review of Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken & Salmon Treats in our Cat Food Database.

Nutrients
Moisture28%
Protein*min. 27%
Fat*min. 32%
Fiber*max. 3%
Carbs*approx. %
Ash*approx. %
Caloriesapprox. 1.5 / treat
Allergensnone
* on a dry matter basis
What We Like
  • Low calorie
  • No by-products
  • No artificial colors or flavors
  • Grain-free
What We Don't Like
  • High in calcium
  • Contains salt
  • Not for picky eaters

Best Hairball Control Treat: VetriScience Laboratories Hairball Chews

Digestive issues are an unfortunate side effect of kidney disease in cats. The metabolism slows down and your cat may get constipated every once in a while. Add some hairballs to the mix and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.

VetriScience Laboratories developed their Hairball Chews to combat these issues in two ways. On the one hand they improve the health and quality of your cat’s skin and coat. This reduces hair loss and greatly diminishes the chance of hairballs forming in your cat’s stomach.

On the other hand, VetriScience Hairball Chews help to more easily pass any hairs that do enter the GI-tract. It also helps with digestion in general through the added psyllium husk.

You can give your cat 2 chews a day to improve digestion, or up to 8 chews a day for four days if your cat is experiencing some hairball issues.

What We Like
  • Removes and prevents hairballs
  • Improves digestion
  • Healthy skin
  • Shiny coat
What We Don't Like
  • Not that soft
  • Not all cats like them

Related Post: Best Hairball Treats For Cats

Does your cat suffer from hairballs? Read our review of the top 5 best hairball treats for cats, plus get tips on how to prevent hairballs in your cat.

Best High Potassium Cat Treat: Hartz Delectables Bisque Senior 15+

Hartz Delectables Bisque Senior 15+ is a moisture rich, soup-like treat for older cats. It is high in potassium, which supports muscle strength and the overall nervous system. If you’re having trouble finding a quality cat food with enough potassium, or you want a more targeted way of dosing how much your cat gets, Hartz Delectables provides the perfect solution.

The soupy texture of Hartz Delectables Bisque is easy to mix into other wet foods. Some guardians of senior cats with kidney disease use it to make a regular wet kidney diet more palatable to their cat. And quite successfully! The majority of cats happily lick their bowl clean when given this treat.

Hartz Delectables Bisque Senior 15+ is high in moisture and high in animal protein. It helps your cat to maintain her weight and stay hydrated, without putting too much strain on her kidneys.

Beware if your cat has a seafood allergy, though, as the main ingredient of this treat is tuna.

Nutrients
Moisture90%
Protein*min. 80%
Fat*min. 1%
Fiber*max. 10%
Carbs*approx. %
Ash*approx. %
Caloriesapprox. 16 / pack
Allergensseafood
* on a dry matter basis
What We Like
  • Easily mixed in with food
  • Helps to maintain a healthy weight
  • High in potassium
  • High in quality animal protein
  • Moisture rich
  • Low in fat
What We Don't Like
  • Causes gastric upset in some cats
  • Not for cats with seafood allergies

Best Moisture Rich Cat Treat: Purina Friskies Lil’ Soups

Purina Friskies Lil’ Soups is another soup-like snack, though the texture is more like an actual broth filled with meaty chunks. It is conveniently packaged in single dose cups. Lil’ Soups provide a quick and healthy way to give cats with kidney disease some extra calories and moisture.

Purina Friskies Lil’ Soups come in a variety of flavors. Nevertheless, there are always some kitties out there who will snub their nose at it. Start with a variety pack and see which flavors your cat responds to most. Look out for allergens if your cat has food sensitivities. Most of the flavors contain fish or seafood in some form or another.

A downside to a wet treat like Purina Friskies Lil’ Soups is that you can’t use it as a reward for play or to boost your cat’s self esteem during stressful moments. It is more like a side to their existing meal or an afternoon snack.

Still, if it helps finicky cats with kidney disease to eat their dinner, I’m all for it! Perhaps you can combine it with a low calorie treat like Blue Buffalo Wilderness Cat Treats to create the perfect reward-snacking combo.

Nutrients
Moisture92%
Protein*min. 80%
Fat*min. 1%
Fiber*max. 12%
Carbs*approx. %
Ash*approx. %
Caloriesapprox. 18 / cup
Allergensseafood
* on a dry matter basis
What We Like
  • Easily mixed in with food
  • Helps to maintain a healthy weight
  • High in quality animal protein
  • Moisture rich
  • Low in fat
What We Don't Like
  • Not all cats like it
  • Not for cats with seafood allergies

Our #1 Choice Of Treats For Cats WIth Kidney Disease: Fancy Feast Purely Natural Treats

After looking at all the cat treats in our top 5, Fancy Feast Purely Natural Treats in either salmon or chicken flavor stand out as our favorite. They provide a healthy way to boost both your cat’s ego and her health. And cats with kidney disease literally jump in the air for these delicious cat treats. What more could you want?


Chronic Kidney Disease In Cats

Chronic kidney disease is a condition where your cat loses her kidney function gradually over time. This can take months, or even years to develop and usually isn’t that clearly visible at first. However, once it does become more evident, it is important that you step in with the proper care to slow down progression of the disease.

Your kidney disease cat can live a long, mostly carefree life with your love and support. A healthy diet of nutritious wet food and the right mineral supplements already goes a long way towards keeping her motor running. Read our full guide on Chronic Kidney Disease In Cats for an in depth look at all the nutritional requirements of cats with kidney disease.

Besides nutrition, another important aspect of chronic illness is mental health. Being in continuous discomfort or pain can make your cat feel vulnerable and insecure. She can start to behave differently, perhaps hiding away under the bed, or showing aggression towards you or other pets. The signs can also be more subtle. You might find her sleeping all day instead of walking around and playing.

Depression In Cats With Kidney Disease

Lethargy and depression are very common in cats that suffer from kidney disease. Even though your cat isn’t crawling onto your lap anymore, she still wants and needs your attention. You may just have to coax it out of her a little.

Spend some extra time with your kidney disease cat whenever you can. Try to get her to play, if only for a few minutes. The exercise keeps her blood flowing and her mind sharp. End your play session with a cuddle and a nice, healthy treat. This will cement the whole experience as a positive one in her mind.

The Importance Of Cat Treats

When we hear the word “treat” we think of something extra, a thing we get on special occasions. Something that is nice, in moderation, but definitely not necessary.

Cat treats have this same air around them, often being considered as nothing but candy for cats. And in most cases, I would say that is correct. However, there are also healthy cat treats out there. More like carrots for cats. These can be a real lifesaver for a kitty with kidney disease.

Not Just A Treat

Besides being a nice reward or ego-boosting pick-me-up for your cat, the right cat treat can be a true supplement to her diet. If you can’t find a wet food or mineral supplement that has all the ingredients she needs, look for a treat to fill in the blanks. Treats allow you to very accurately control how much of each substance your cat gets. You can also make changes to her diet on the fly, if her blood work demands it.

Picking The Right Treat For A Cat With Kidney Disease

Cats with kidney disease are notoriously picky eaters. They can be the same when it comes to treats. Nevertheless, treats do provide the perfect opportunity to introduce something into your cat’s diet that she is missing elsewhere. Or, at the very least, to not introduce anything that goes against her diet.

Kidney disease affects your cat in multiple ways. She might start to suffer from digestive issues, internal infections, heart problems, or even become blind. There are things you can do to lower the risk of your kitty developing these issues and manage her kidney disease at the same time.

The Best Treats For Cats With Kidney Disease Are

  • High in animal protein to maintain body weight,
  • Low in carbohydrates to decrease strain on the kidneys,
  • Low in sodium to lower blood pressure,
  • Low in phosphorus to increase appetite,
  • High in potassium to maintain muscle strength,
  • High in vitamins A, B and D for overall health and wellbeing,
  • High in omega-3 fatty acids to support kidney function.

Of course, this list should be tailored to your cat’s specific needs. Monitor her wellbeing and the progression of her kidney disease by taking her for regular vet visits. Ask them to do a full geriatric blood panel at least once or, preferably, twice a year. This way you’ll know whether your treats and diet changes are actually working for your kitty.

When you’ve found the perfect treat for your cat, give her only as much of it as she needs. Too much of a good thing is a very bad thing in the case of cats with kidney disease. It’s all about finding the right balance.