All the vets I have been to said senior cats should eat KD

I have 3 senior cats.  They don't have CRF (I haven't taken them for a test for ages), how come all the vets told me all cats of 10+ years old should eat low protein diet?  

I didn't like those CRF food, but the vets said eating low phosphorus food would protect them from CRF.  What do you guys think?

My cats are all older than 11.

They're wrong. This information is from a veterinary endocrinologist:

http://endocrinevet.blogspot.no/2011/11/optimal-protein-requirements-for-older.html

http://endocrinevet.blogspot.no/sea...0-05:00&max-results=20&start=14&by-date=false

Cats need MORE protein as they age, not less.

Thanks for the links!  I've saved these.  I wonder if my vets will change their mind after reading these.  I told them my cats eat raw meat, and they said it is only good for younger cats, and too much phosphorus for older cats.  Should I be concerned about phosphorus?   I also believe old cats need high quality protein  , but those low protein cat cans don't look too good... 

space1101 said:

Thanks for the links!  I've saved these.  I wonder if my vets will change their mind after reading these.  I told them my cats eat raw meat, and they said it is only good for younger cats, and too much phosphorus for older cats.  Should I be concerned about phosphorus?   I also believe old cats need high quality protein  , but those low protein cat cans don't look too good... 

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The important thing is the quality of the protein - a raw diet is excellent for them :nod:
If you are concerned with phosphorous levels, one thing you can do is substitute a small percentage of the meat for cooked egg whites - still excellent protein, but very low in phosphorous. You don't need to do this every day, just some meals a week

Carolina, that is a good idea.  I forgot egg white is low in phosphorus!  OK, I will give them some egg white.   If anyone has any other ways to lower phosphorus level, please let me know~

space1101 said:

Carolina, that is a good idea.  I forgot egg white is low in phosphorus!  OK, I will give them some egg white.   If anyone has any other ways to lower phosphorus level, please let me know~

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Eggshells, which I use as Ca to balance the phosphorous in the meat, is also a phosphorous binder - you can add a little bit of that to their diet - but just a liiiiiiitle bit - too much will give them constipation due to too much Ca.
Oh, make sure the egg whites are cooked!

Wow, thanks, I didn't know eggshell is a phosphorous binder.   I will try that.  I only need to wash and crush the shell right?  How much eggshell do I need for 3 oz of meat?

Yes, I will cook the egg white.

How about the phosphorus binder like Epakitin?  I wonder if it is a good idea.  

I'm confused - if your cats do not have CRF, why do you want to use a phosphorus binder? Does any of their blood work indicate a phosphorus level of over 6 mg/dl? If not.... why are you looking to lower it? :dk: Are there signs of renal failure or... ????

LDG said:

I'm confused - if your cats do not have CRF, why do you want to use a phosphorus binder? Does any of their blood work indicate a phosphorus level of over 6 mg/dl? If not.... why are you looking to lower it? :dk: Are there signs of renal failure or... ????

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Are you just concerned because they are older and because of what the vet tech said? Remember.... Vets and techs are well accustomed to sell Hills and prescription diets.... If your kitty is ok, I really don't think you should be looking at binders :dk:
A regular raw diet should be just fine.... but if it makes you feel better, substituting some of the meat for egg whites will keep the phosphorous at a lower level.....

Cats need phosphorus, and there is absolutely no reason to mess with the naturally balanced diet of a healthy cat, regardless of age. Don't let those vets get you all paranoid about something that's perfectly healthy and normal!

AC

I'm concerned because they are old and because the vet was shocked by me gving raw meat to them.

My cats don't have CRF, but those vets said old cats are like old human, and are not suppposed to eat heavy meal (according to the vets).  I believe they know little about cat nutrition though. 

Yesterday I was trying to schedule blood test and ultrasound..etc for my cats, and the vets asked me if I've switched them to K/D yet.  I said I feed raw meat and some canned.  The vet was shocked and  said according to his medical knowledge, too much phosphorus and protein would damage their fragile organs even if they don't have CRF.   He said raw meat is good for young cats but shouldn't be given to old cats too often.  

I was going to ignore his words even though he is vet and he feeds his cats K/D, I just I wonder if I've missed any information.   I said to the vet the ingredient in those kibble are not good, and he said K/D is designed to give as little burden to kidney as possible, and young cats' kidney can filter much phosphorus and nitrogen waste; while older cats' kidneys are too slow.  That's why I came here to ask you guys if I should be concerned.  

11+ years old is senior but not elderly. And your cats aren't even sick! Are these three vets all from the same practice? I would be very suspicions of so much pushing of Hills "prescription" foods. And dry, of ANY kind, is bad for senior cats and their "fragile" (as said by your vet) kidneys. Yikes.

Personally and as a vet tech, I wouldn't feed any of the rx diets unless there is a reason ie kidney failure, crystals, heart disease ect. Just because a cat or dog is a senior doesn't mean you automatically have to feed a low protein or senior food. I think senior foods are a gimmick and generally not needed. As long as your cats are healthy and not showing any signs of issues, feed them a high quality diet with high quality protein and  you should be ok. I have a 12 and a half yo senior dog that is getting acana grain free food with canned and the occasional chicken neck or raw meal. His acana food is 33-35% protein compared to a senior dog food which averages 15-20 % protein. As long as the protein is good quality and animal based, not plant based you should be fine. My cats are 8 and a half and 3 and a half. and they get a mix of premium kibble and canned. All my animals blood work is excellent. I believe that your vets are still under the myth that high protein is bad. Either that or they want to sell more Hills RX food.
 

Hi! I just read through your post, and I have similar issues with vets pushing their Prescription Diets. Have you by chance ever read the ingredients on one of the bags or cans? It is pretty bad IMO. Here is a link from a vet who advocates raw, and explains a little on commercial foods including prescription diets. It's a 12min video but worth the watch!



If you want a real good article about nutrition and how the whole commercial thing started then this is one good read. Again a bit lengthy, but great explanation as to why commercial is heavily pushed and popular.

http://www.carnivora.ca/html/learning_centre/the_history_of_nutrition/index.cfm

In the end I think feeding a cat a natural diet is ideal considering raw is what they eat in the wild, even when they are seniors I doubt they look for a senior safe food. It is definitely a gimmick IMO. Just like the latest indoor/outdoor cat foods or the like. It's just another way to get people to buy the product. I have just started my cat on raw, and so far she is loving it and already showing improvement on it, unlike the other foods she was eating that seemed to keep getting her sick!

Good luck with your Kitty's sounds like you take real good care of them!