Cat treats for kidney disease
If your cat has been diagnosed with kidney disease, the honest starting point is that your vet's advice on diet comes first, and any treat is a small add-on to that rather than part of managing the condition. Kidney-friendly treats generally means lower in phosphorus and protein than an everyday treat, but the right choice for your specific cat is a question for whoever is treating them.
Why treats need more thought once kidneys are involved
Cats with kidney disease are often moved onto a prescription renal diet, which is carefully balanced to reduce the workload on the kidneys, particularly around phosphorus and protein levels. A treat that is high in either can work against that balance if it is given often or in any quantity, even though a single treat now and then is unlikely to undo a well-managed diet.
This is not the same as saying treats are off the table. It means the choice matters more than it would for a healthy cat, and it is worth checking with your vet about what fits alongside the specific diet your cat has been prescribed, rather than assuming any treat labelled for cats is automatically fine.
What to look for on a treat label
In general terms, a treat lower in protein and phosphorus, given in small amounts and infrequently, is more in keeping with a kidney-friendly approach than a rich meaty treat given daily. Some brands make treats designed to sit alongside a renal diet, and your vet or vet nurse can point you toward one that suits your cat if you ask at a check-up.
Freeze-dried single-ingredient treats and small amounts of plain cooked meat, offered occasionally, are options some owners use, but the right amount for your specific cat depends on how advanced the condition is and what else they are eating. That is a conversation for your vet, not a general rule that applies to every cat with kidney disease.
What we stock
Our cat treat range covers a mix of everyday options, and our wider food and treats aisle is where to look for something to try once you know what your vet is comfortable with. We do not sell treats marketed specifically as a renal or prescription product, so where your vet has recommended a particular therapeutic treat, that is likely to come from their own practice or a specialist retailer rather than from us.
What we can offer is variety within the everyday range, so you can pick something plain and simple to give occasionally, in the small amount your vet is happy with, rather than a rich or unfamiliar treat that adds more to your cat's diet than intended.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Catit Nibbly Jerky Chicken & Fish Treats
Soft chicken and fish jerky treats for cats, two named meats high on the list, grain free
£1.89
Dreamies Meaty Sticks Adult Cat Treats with Tasty Chicken
Soft meaty stick treats for adult cats with chicken, individually wrapped, not for kittens
£1.59
Catit Creamy Tuna Lickable Cat Treats, 4 Pack
Lickable 26% tuna purée tubes for cats, 4 x 10g, up to 3 a day in place of main meal
£1.89
Dreamies Cat Treats with Salmon
Complementary Dreamies salmon-flavour cat treats for adults and kittens, 60G
£2.05
Dreamies Cat Treats with Chicken
Dreamies chicken cat treats for adults and kittens, in a 60G pack
£2.05
Catit Creamy Chicken Lickable Cat Treats, 4 Pack
Lickable chicken cat treats, 4 tubes, for treating or as a food topper
£1.89
Whiskas Relax & Unwind Adult Cat Treats with Chicken
Chicken treats for adult cats with tryptophan declared at 1.3%
£1.49
Felix Goody Bag Seaside Mix Cat Treats
60G treat for cats, with composition and analytical figures set out clearly
£1.45
Felix Goody Bag Original Mix Cat Treats
Felix Goody Bag cat treats in 60g or 330g, with composition and analytical figures set out clearly
From£1.45
HiLife Cat Tasty Duck Breast Treats
Freeze-dried 100% duck breast cat treats, 84% protein, described as grain free
£1.75
Whiskas Groom & Care Adult Cat Treats with Chicken
Chicken treats for adult cats, with green tea declared at 0.03%
£1.49
Common questions
- Can cats with kidney disease still have treats?
- Usually yes, in small amounts and less often than a healthy cat, but the right treat and the right amount depends on how advanced the condition is and what diet your vet has your cat on. Ask at your cat's next check-up rather than guessing, since a treat that is fine early on may not suit a cat further along.
- What ingredients should I avoid in treats for a cat with kidney disease?
- In general, treats high in phosphorus and protein are the ones to be more careful with, since a renal diet is usually built around reducing both. Your vet can tell you what fits alongside your cat's specific prescribed diet, which matters more than any general ingredient rule.
- Do you sell prescription treats for cats with kidney disease?
- No, we stock everyday cat treats rather than prescription or therapeutic products. Where your vet has recommended a specific renal treat, that is usually available through their own practice or a specialist retailer rather than a general pet shop.
- Is plain cooked chicken a safe treat for a cat with kidney disease?
- A small amount of plain cooked meat is an option some owners use, but how much and how often depends on your cat's individual diagnosis and diet, which your vet is best placed to advise on. Avoid any seasoning, and check with your vet if you are not sure how it fits with what your cat is already eating.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.