Crf

I know a lot of you on this forum have CRF cats, so maybe you can answer this question. My sister lost her CRF cat several months ago. Now, she is trying to feed her other three cats the lowest food in protein that she can find, hoping she can prevent them from getting it, too. Is that even possible? Her three other cats are all less than three years old and my concern is that they are not getting enough protein. Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.

No it cant prevent... studies have shown high protein diets dont cause it at all/// Pat please send the link ... Crf has many reasons , the best way to prevent it is to give the cats the best food she can afford that is low in magnesium moderate in ash like 7 and under and low phosperous...

Please check out (or have your sister) check out this site: Feline Crf dot org another good site (but the first is the best, or has been for what I needed with my crf kitty) is:
Feline Crf dot Com

I totally agree with Sharky, it is not a matter of protein content, as much as it is phosphorus content, water intake, and quality of that protein (as I understand it from what I've read).

Thank you both for the response. And thank you Pat & Alex for the links. I'll be sending them to my sister, too. I looked over both sites but didn't see anything about prevention, so I'm assuming it can't be prevented. I'm still wondering, though, if she is doing her other cats harm by not feeding them enough protein. Does anyone know? Thanks.

Hi, in a way, the felinecrf.org site does give some clues as to how to prevent, in it's section going over the causes and possible causes of crf (includes diet and more). It's a long section, but worth reading over.
click here

and this section I think is important, especially the section that describes your cat's protein needs and that even with crf kitties, depending on the stage, it is no longer a given that you must reduce protein intake. Imho, in a healthy cat, reducing the protein will harm them, and not prevent the possible development of crf. click here and read entire section on diet and crf kitties as it describes what the healthy cat needs. I know both sites are huge, but I think she will find guidance and answers between the two sites. I truly feel low protein is not the solution, changing water intake, reducing phosphorus intake are two key things to do.

I believe from what I've read it is dangerous to give young, healthy cats low protein diets. They could suffer early muscle wasting and some other symptoms. Only cats with ADVANCED crf should have low protein along with low phosphorus. Even cats with beginning and moderate advanced crf can have normal protein levels. I agree quality of food is very important.

Thank you Pat for the link that describes possible causes. I've racked my brain trying to figure out why my 10 year old cat has it so bad. I know I will never know for sure but if there is anything I can do for my other cats, I want to do it.

CTCat, I am so sorry about your 10 year old. I just love Tanya's Page...what an incredible gift the site is for all of seeking answers and help in dealing with this.

Thank you both for your replies. Pat & Alix, thanks for the links. The first time I went to the sites, I didn't have time to read it all. But, I will eventually. There's so much good information there! I've never had to deal with CRF, but I'm saving these sites in case I do.

No, cats need protein. In the wild they would eat nothing but meat and small amounts of greens (grasses, etc).

What really contributes to CRF is a diet of dry cat food. This causes chronic dehydration and makes the kidneys work overtime.

The best thing to do is to feed cats either premium canned food (the stuff from the pet specialty shop or health food store, not the grocery store variety) or a raw diet. Dry food can be an occasional treat but wet food should be the main part of the cat's diet.

Semi
I am trying raw with my crf girl.she is up to 1.5 days a week. she likes ... the baby aint sure what to make of it ..

Hi there, I have a 9 1/2 year male cat - MAVERICK who has just been diagnosed with CRF.  According to my vet, the commercial dry food seems to play a major role in the development of kidney disease.'I find that a quality wet food and kangaroo mince or chicken occasionally are the best foods for mine. I used to feed dry food in the morning at wet at night but now it's wet food all the time!

I have 4 other cats apart from Maverick - Polyester who is 20 and has suffers from hyperthyroidism but has been as fit as a fiddle since starting medication 5 years ago. Then there is Shadow who is 14 and Sheeva, 9 1/2 and Lilly (who is the baby) at 8 1/2! ALL were either rescued from the local shelter or from relatives whose cats had kittens. (Irresponsible owners!) Lilly was found dumped near the school across the road from my house when she was around 3 weeks old.

Now I would appreciate anybody offering up a couple of recipes for CRF diet as my boy hates the renal diet food and won't eat it. I am giving him raw chicken at the moment until I confer further with the vet. At least he is eating.