What to feed a cat with kidney disease
A cat diagnosed with kidney disease needs a therapeutic diet prescribed by a vet, not a general food chosen off a shelf. Prescription renal diets are only available through a vet once your cat has been properly assessed — but hydration and general diet quality are things you can genuinely help with alongside whatever your vet recommends.
Why a prescribed diet is the main tool here
Chronic kidney disease is common in older cats, and diet is one of the most effective ways vets manage it once it's diagnosed. A prescription renal diet is formulated with controlled phosphorus and a specific protein level worked out for the individual cat, based on blood results and how advanced the disease is.
That level of precision is exactly why this isn't something a general pet shop can responsibly guess at. The right restriction for one cat can be inappropriate for another, which is why these diets are only available through a vet who has actually assessed your cat.
Hydration matters enormously for a cat with kidney disease
Cats with reduced kidney function often struggle to concentrate their urine properly, which means they can become dehydrated more easily, and encouraging extra water intake is one of the most genuinely useful things an owner can do. Wet food carries far more moisture than dry food of the same weight, which is a big part of why vets often recommend shifting a cat with kidney concerns toward a wet or moistened diet.
Cats are also famously fussy about how their water is presented — some strongly prefer moving water to a still bowl. A water fountain can genuinely increase how much some cats drink simply by making water more appealing, which is a small, low-risk thing worth trying alongside your vet's dietary advice.
What to look for if you're comparing general foods
If your vet has given you a target rather than a named prescription product, phosphorus content and protein quality are the figures worth checking, alongside sodium. These vary considerably between ordinary complete cat foods, which is part of why a therapeutic diet is specifically formulated rather than picked from a standard range.
Palatability is a genuine issue too. Cats with kidney disease can become picky or go off their food, and a diet that goes untouched doesn't help, however well it's formulated on paper — vets will often suggest trying different formats or flavours within the prescribed range for this reason.
What we can help with, and what we can't
We stock wet food, senior-cat formulas and water fountains, which some owners use alongside veterinary advice to support hydration and general comfort — but none of these replaces a prescription renal diet, and none is formulated to the specific phosphorus and protein targets your vet will set once your cat is diagnosed.
If your cat is showing symptoms you're worried about — drinking more, losing weight, poor appetite, being sick — book a vet appointment before changing their food. Kidney disease is diagnosed from blood and urine tests, and a proper diagnosis is what any dietary change should be based on.
Foods formulated for this
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
304 Stainless Steel Pet Water Fountain 3.2L
A 3.2L 304 stainless steel fountain that automatically circulates water through a gooseneck spout to keep it fresh. A visible side window shows the water level, so cats and dogs always have clean water.
£36.99
Sensor Cat Water Fountain 2.5L
A 2.5L cat fountain that flows when your cat approaches, keeping water fresh and tempting. A clear level window shows when to refill, and the generous tank meets one cat's needs for several days.
From£43.99
Automatic Cat Water Fountain
A clear automatic pet water fountain with a tap-style spout that circulates fresh, filtered water to encourage your cat to drink. The near-silent pump and large transparent tank let you check water levels at a glance.
£44.99
4L Stainless Steel Pet Water Fountain
A large-capacity stainless steel pet water fountain with an ultra-quiet pump and gentle spout that keeps water fresh and flowing. The circulating stream encourages cats and dogs to drink more and stay hydrated.
From£35.99
Automatic Cat Water Fountain with Filter
A USB-powered water fountain with a near-silent pump and a gentle waterfall spout that encourages cats to drink more. The clear tank lets you check the level at a glance, and the built-in filter keeps water fresh and clean.
£24.99
Stainless Steel Pet Water Fountain
A stainless steel pet fountain that keeps water fresh and flowing to encourage your pet to drink more.
From£31.99
Stainless Steel Pet Water Fountain 3.2L
A 3.2L stainless steel drinking fountain with a quiet gooseneck spout that keeps water circulating and fresh. The clear side window makes refilling easy, helping cats and dogs stay hydrated.
From£39.99
Stainless Steel Pet Water Fountain with Gooseneck Spout
A rounded stainless steel drinking fountain with a rose-gold gooseneck spout that keeps water flowing and aerated. Hygienic and easy to clean, encouraging cats and dogs to drink more often.
From£48.99
Ceramic Cat Water Fountain 3L
A 3L ceramic cat fountain that recirculates and filters water to keep it fresh and flowing.
From£64.99
Self-Refill Cat Water Fountain 3.5L
A quiet fountain with a food-grade stainless steel bowl and a 3.5L reservoir that tops the drinking area up automatically; the maker advises filling to 3L to avoid spills.
£89.99
Ceramic Cat Water Fountain with Stainless Steel Spout
A quiet circulating water fountain with a ceramic basin and arched 304 stainless steel spout. The flowing stream stays fresh and tempting, encouraging cats to drink more throughout the day.
From£37.99
Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain 3.2L
A 3.2L stainless steel water fountain with dual arching spouts and a water-level window, ideal for multi-pet homes. The ultra-quiet pump circulates fresh water to encourage cats and dogs to drink more.
£39.99
Common questions
- Do you sell prescription kidney diets for cats?
- No. Prescription renal diets are supplied through a vet once your cat has been assessed, and we isn't something a general shop can hand over without that assessment. We carry general wet food, senior formulas and water fountains that some owners use alongside veterinary advice, but none of them replaces a diet your vet has prescribed.
- Does wet food help a cat with kidney disease?
- It can help with hydration, since wet food carries far more moisture than dry food of the same weight, which matters for a cat whose kidneys struggle to concentrate urine properly. It isn't a substitute for a prescribed renal diet, but it's worth raising with your vet.
- What are the signs of kidney disease in cats?
- Drinking and urinating more than usual, weight loss, a poor appetite and vomiting are all things vets look into, but none confirms kidney disease on its own. If you notice these signs, book a vet appointment for blood and urine tests rather than waiting.
- Does a water fountain actually help a cat drink more?
- For many cats, yes — cats often prefer moving water to a still bowl, and a fountain can genuinely increase how much some cats drink. It's a low-risk thing worth trying alongside whatever your vet has recommended for your cat's diet.
- My cat won't eat the prescription diet my vet gave us — what should I do?
- Speak to your vet rather than mixing in something else without asking. Many practices offer more than one renal diet and more than one format, since palatability is a known issue with these diets, and there's often another option worth trying.
Related
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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.