Senior cat has lots of protein in his urine and is losing weight - easy digestible protein?

[Gizm0]

I have a senior cat who is consistently losing weight. He is sitting around a little under 7lbs when he should be about 10lbs+. He had a 2 month checkup with the vet and we performed another blood and urine test and his levels were almost the same as last time - kidneys just a tad bit worse though but nothing that was concerning the vet and he has anemia that hasn't gone away since last visit + medication. His kidneys are pretty enlarged the vet said and he has lots of protein in the urine (super foamy). My vet consulted with an internal medicine specialist and the next step is getting an ultrasound because it could be cancer, internal bleeding, infection, kidney disease - hard to tell right now considering his bloodwork is pretty much the same. He's seems his normal self despite the weight loss and is active and runs around purring. I want to switch him to a higher quality food so it can help him feel a little better for the time being.

I'm trying to find him a wet food that is low in phosphorus and has a higher quality, easily digestible but lower protein content that isn't prescription. If I can find a high quality lower protein content food but with higher phosphorus it could work too - I'll just use a phosphorus binder. I've spent hours on felinecrf.org and catinfo.org comparing the nutritional values and prices of each food but I'm still torn on what to get.

Right now my main choice is Hill's Science Diet 7+ turkey entrée which contains 0.64 phosphorus and protein 33.70 and 185 kcal/5.5 oz can. It seems like most affordable high quality option. My budget is under $45 and this give's me almost a month supply.

Does anyone else know any affordable high quality wet foods from cheaper brands (meow mix, fancy feast, 9 lives)? Most of them have very high amounts of protein and phosphorus...but I don't know what to look for in terms of high quality and digestible meats.

Also, is there anything I should ask my vet to check for that may not be as common? Any tests that may show what's going on?

Hopefully someone more experienced can help me decide on what to do. Thanks for reading my wall of text!

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. I don't much to offer, but wondered if the vet also checked for hyperthyroidism, as weight loss is one of the most common symptoms. I also ask that because if your senior guy does have it, it can help to mask a more problematic kidney issue that would be beneficial in knowing about. However, weight loss (and, anemia) is a common symptom with kidney disease too.

Until more knowledgeable members come along and offer their direct experience with foods you could try, perhaps you would like to check possible food option from these websites (see below)? You could compare them, and their prices, just to give you a list to work from. Both sites also contain some good information about kidney issues, in general. You probably have already seen them - if so, sorry to offer you repeat information.
10 Best Commercial Cat Foods for Kidney Disease in 2020 (pet.reviews)
Best Cat Food For Kidney Disease [Low Phosphorus] 2020 - We're All About Cats

 

[Gizm0]

Hi. I don't much to offer, but wondered if the vet also checked for hyperthyroidism, as weight loss is one of the most common symptoms. I also ask that because if your senior guy does have it, it can help to mask a more problematic kidney issue that would be beneficial in knowing about. However, weight loss (and, anemia) is a common symptom with kidney disease too.

Until more knowledgeable members come along and offer their direct experience with foods you could try, perhaps you would like to check possible food option from these websites (see below)? You could compare them, and their prices, just to give you a list to work from. Both sites also contain some good information about kidney issues, in general. You probably have already seen them - if so, sorry to offer you repeat information.
10 Best Commercial Cat Foods for Kidney Disease in 2020 (pet.reviews)
Best Cat Food For Kidney Disease [Low Phosphorus] 2020 - We're All About Cats

Thanks for the links! I actually did find one that list that seems really good (Weruva) and its only few dollars more than the Science Hill and contains lower phosphorus. It has more protein but I wonder if it will be easy for him to digest (does anyone know?)