The Best Treats for Cats with Kidney Disease

By :Becki Baumgartner, PhD 0 comments

We understand how challenging it can be when your beloved cat is dealing with kidney disease. It can feel overwhelming to navigate their dietary needs, searching for food and treats that will support their health.

Our founding vets, Dr. Marc Smith and Dr. Casey Damron, consider freeze-dried beef kidney treats their preferred treats for cats with kidney disease.

Their choice stems from both an Eastern or Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) perspective and a Western nutritional perspective.

They believe in “using treats for a reason” and “using food as medicine” to support your cat’s health and quality of life.

Below, we’ll explain why they choose freeze-dried beef kidney treats and how to discuss their use within your cat’s individual care plan.

Key Takeaways

Veterinary preference: The article shares our founding veterinarians’ recommendation for freeze-dried beef kidney treats.
Nutritional perspective: Beef kidney provides animal protein, B vitamins, and minerals, and can be appealing to selective eaters.
TCVM food therapy: Kidney treats are discussed through the principles of Kidney support, Yin and Essence nourishment, and “like treats like.”
Serving options: Offer as a treat or training reward, or reconstitute in warm water as a food topper.
Individualized portions: Coordinate treat amounts and phosphorus and protein intake with your veterinarian and your cat’s overall kidney care plan.

From a Western Perspective: Nutritional Benefits of Beef Kidney Treats

When caring for cats with kidney disease, freeze-dried beef kidney treats offer several nutritional features to consider within an individualized diet.

High-Quality Protein

High-quality animal protein, found abundantly in beef kidney, is important for cats’ muscle maintenance and repair.

While protein intake may need to be controlled in cats with kidney disease, easily digestible animal sources are part of the original article’s rationale for these treats. Your veterinarian can help fit them into your cat’s overall nutrition plan.

Essential Nutrients

Beef kidney offers essential nutrients, including B vitamins such as B12, riboflavin, and niacin, as well as minerals like iron, zinc, and selenium.

These nutrients contribute to overall health, including for cats with kidney issues.

Taste and Appetite Support

When cats have kidney disease, they may lose interest in eating or become selective about their food.

Freeze-dried beef kidney treats can be an appealing option for some cats and may encourage interest in food.

Supporting healthy eating habits is important for maintaining body condition and limiting muscle loss.

From a TCVM Perspective: Kidney Food Therapy

Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine provides a different perspective on the role of freeze-dried beef kidney treats for cats with kidney disease.

Warms and Tonifies the Kidneys

In Eastern medicine, the Kidneys are described as the foundation of life.

Within this framework, feeding beef kidney is used to provide warmth and strength to the Kidney system, supporting circulation and overall well-being according to Eastern theory.

Nourishes Yin and Essence

In TCVM, kidney disease may be understood through patterns involving Yin energy and Essence (Jing).

Yin is associated with cooling and nourishment, while Essence is associated with vitality and longevity.

In this food therapy approach, freeze-dried beef kidney treats are used to nourish Yin and Essence and support the energy and vitality of cats with kidney issues.

“Like Treats Like” Kidney Support

TCVM includes the philosophy of “like treats like.” In this framework, consuming a particular organ is used to support the corresponding organ system.

As medical doctor Robert J. Kiltz explains, “as a part of the like-supports-like properties of many organ meats, kidney contains the rare amino acid, L-ergothioneine, a compound that may promote the kidney health of people who ingest it.”

This quotation discusses people. The TCVM rationale for freeze-dried beef kidney treats centers on the traditional view that the natural essence and energy of kidney food can support your cat’s Kidney system and help restore balance.

Additional TCVM Uses

The original article also discusses beef kidney treats for other concerns within Eastern theory, including:

Aging: Geriatric health concerns.
Urinary support: Incontinence.
Reproductive support: Reproductive issues.
Mobility: Arthritis.

How to Use Freeze-Dried Beef Kidney Treats

Our founding veterinarians and creators of PET | TAO recommend PET | TAO Freeze-Dried Beef Kidney Treats.

You can use them as a treat, a training reward, or reconstitute them in warm water for 3-5 minutes and use them as a food topper.

Suggested amount: The original recommendation is 1-3 treats per day, or as directed by your veterinarian.
Serving ideas: Offer as a treat or training reward, or rehydrate for use as a topper.

Phosphorus, Protein, and Portion Planning

Freeze-dried raw beef kidney treats contain phosphorus and protein, as do other organ treats.

Managing phosphorus intake is an important part of a kidney care plan. Protein amounts may also need to be tailored, especially as kidney disease advances.

Our founding veterinarians have recommended freeze-dried kidney treats to kidney disease patients for years and report positive experiences. The article also notes positive experiences among other veterinarians trained in Eastern medicine.

According to our founding veterinarian, Dr. Casey Damron, small, appropriate portions can be considered within a personalized plan, including for cats taking a phosphorus binder such as Renakitin or Epakitin.

From this Eastern food therapy perspective, the potential benefits of feeding kidney are weighed alongside the phosphorus consumed. Your veterinarian can make that assessment for your cat using the complete diet, portion size, laboratory results, and any prescribed binder.

Stick to the recommended amount and avoid overfeeding. Food therapy works best when portions are thoughtful and coordinated with your cat’s needs. More is not necessarily better.

Veterinary Expertise and Additional Kidney Care Resources

If you’d like to learn more about kidney disease and how to help your cat, please take a look at:

If you feel like you need extra help with your cat's kidney disease, our founding vets offer TCVM telemedicine consultations.

A consultation provides personalized TCVM recommendations specific to your cat, including:

Evaluation: TCVM evaluation.
Nutrition: Food therapy recommendations.
Herbal support: TCVM herb recommendations and veterinary authorization.
Supplements: Supplement recommendations.
Additional care: Alternative medicine recommendations.

If you reside in the Middle Tennessee area or would like to commute, you may choose an in-clinic appointment instead.

You can learn more about each vet and contact the clinic you prefer to set up your consultation:

We hope this information helps you and wish you the best in helping your cat feel better.

If you have any other questions or if we can help you in any way, just let us know!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do your founding veterinarians recommend beef kidney treats?

Dr. Marc Smith and Dr. Casey Damron combine nutritional considerations with TCVM food therapy. Beef kidney supplies animal protein, B vitamins, and minerals, while the TCVM approach uses kidney food to support the Kidney system through “like treats like” and nourishment of Yin and Essence.

How many kidney treats should I give my cat?

The article’s original recommendation is 1-3 treats per day, or as directed by your veterinarian. The appropriate amount depends on your cat’s overall diet and care plan. Ask your veterinarian to confirm portions for your cat’s kidney health needs.

Can I use freeze-dried kidney treats as a food topper?

Yes. The article suggests reconstituting the treats in warm water for 3-5 minutes and using them as a topper. You can also offer them as a treat or training reward while staying within the daily amount recommended for your cat.

How should I account for phosphorus and protein in kidney treats?

Kidney treats contain both phosphorus and protein. Your veterinarian can help fit a small portion into your cat’s overall diet, considering kidney disease progression, laboratory results, and any prescribed phosphorus binder such as Renakitin or Epakitin. Thoughtful portions keep food therapy aligned with your cat’s individualized plan.

The Bottom Line

Freeze-dried beef kidney treats are a food therapy option favored by our founding veterinarians for selected cats with kidney disease. They combine nutritional features, palatability, and a traditional TCVM rationale for Kidney support. Work with your veterinarian to choose a portion that fits your cat’s full nutrition and kidney care plan.

Explore PET | TAO Freeze-Dried Beef Kidney Treats and discuss their role in your cat’s food therapy plan.

Interested in trying a TCVM herbal formula? Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation