Researchers tested a special dry food designed for cats with kidney disease to see if cats would actually eat it. They gave 33 healthy cats the new food to try over three weeks, watching how much they ate and how they behaved. The good news: most cats ate the special food just as well as their regular food. About 43% of cats even preferred it. The study suggests that cats with kidney disease might be willing to eat this special food if they need to, which is important because eating the right diet can help them feel better and live longer.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether cats would eat and like a special dry food made for cats with kidney disease
  • Who participated: 33 healthy cats of various ages, sizes, and backgrounds living in their own homes with their owners
  • Key finding: About 60% of cats ate the special food well, and when given a choice between the special food and their regular food, cats split almost evenly—43% preferred the special food, 43% preferred their regular food, and 13% didn’t care which one they ate
  • What it means for you: If your cat is diagnosed with kidney disease and needs to eat a special diet, this food might be a good option since many cats seem willing to eat it. However, every cat is different, so your veterinarian should help you decide what’s best for your specific cat.

The Research Details

Researchers conducted a three-phase test with 33 healthy cats in their own homes. In the first phase (acceptance), cats were offered only the special kidney diet for 6 days to see if they would eat it. In the second phase (control), cats ate only their usual food for 6 days. In the third phase (preference), cats had both foods available at the same time for 6 days so researchers could see which one they liked better. The cat owners recorded how much food their cats ate, how quickly they started eating, and how the cats behaved around the food.

This approach was smart because it tested the food in real-life situations where cats live, rather than in a laboratory. The researchers also looked at different groups of cats—older cats, smaller cats, female cats, and cats used to having food available all day—to see if these factors affected how much they ate.

The study used simple observation methods that any cat owner could do, making it practical and easy to understand.

Cats with kidney disease need to eat special food to help manage their condition and feel better. But if cats won’t eat the food, it doesn’t help them. This study tested whether a real commercial food that’s actually sold in stores would be acceptable to cats, which is more useful than just testing in a lab. Understanding how cats respond to this food helps veterinarians know whether to recommend it to their patients.

This study was conducted in real homes with real cats eating real food, which makes the results more applicable to everyday life. However, the study only tested healthy cats, not cats that actually have kidney disease—sick cats might respond differently. The sample size of 33 cats is relatively small, so results might vary if tested with more cats. The study relied on cat owners to record observations, which could introduce some inconsistency, though the owners were given clear instructions on what to watch for.

What the Results Show

When cats were offered only the special kidney diet, about 60% of them ate it well according to their owners. About 24% ate it poorly, and 15% ate a normal amount. This suggests the food was reasonably acceptable to most cats.

When cats had a choice between the special food and their regular food, the results were interesting: 43% of cats preferred the special food, 43% preferred their usual food, and 13% showed no preference. This even split suggests the special food was about as appealing as regular cat food.

Certain groups of cats ate less of the special food: older cats (over 6 years), very small cats (weighing 4.9 kg or less), female cats, and cats that usually had food available all day. This suggests that age, size, sex, and feeding habits might influence whether a cat will eat the special diet.

When researchers looked at which food cats approached first and ate first, there was a connection—if a cat approached one food first, it usually ate that one first. This shows cats had clear preferences, but those preferences were split between the special food and regular food.

The speed at which cats started eating and their behavior around the food bowls didn’t change between the special food and regular food. This means cats didn’t show signs of stress or unusual behavior with the new food. Most cat owners (83%) said they would likely or very likely offer this special food again if their veterinarian recommended it, suggesting good acceptance by the people caring for the cats.

Previous research has shown that cats with kidney disease do better when they eat appropriate special diets. However, many cats refuse these diets, making it hard for owners to help their sick cats. This study adds to our knowledge by showing that at least one commercial kidney diet appears to be as palatable as regular cat food, which is encouraging news. It suggests that palatability (how good the food tastes) might not be the main reason cats with kidney disease refuse special diets—instead, the disease itself or other factors might be more important.

The biggest limitation is that this study only tested healthy cats, not cats with actual kidney disease. Sick cats might respond very differently to the food. The study was relatively small with only 33 cats, so results might change with a larger group. The study relied on cat owners to observe and record what their cats did, which could introduce human error or bias. The study only tested one brand of special kidney diet, so results might not apply to other brands. Finally, the study only lasted 18 days total (three 6-day phases), so we don’t know if cats would continue eating the food long-term.

The Bottom Line

If your cat is diagnosed with kidney disease, this special diet food appears to be a reasonable option worth trying, as many cats seem willing to eat it. However, this should only be done under your veterinarian’s guidance. Your vet can help determine if this specific food is right for your cat’s particular health situation and can monitor whether your cat is eating enough and staying healthy. (Confidence: Moderate—based on healthy cats, not sick cats)

This research is most relevant to cat owners whose cats have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and need dietary management. Veterinarians recommending kidney diets to their patients should find this information helpful. Cat owners with healthy cats don’t need to make any changes based on this study. This information is not relevant to people with other pets like dogs.

If a cat with kidney disease starts eating this special food, improvements in health markers might take weeks to months to become apparent. You should expect to see whether your cat will eat the food within the first few days to a week. Long-term benefits would need to be monitored over months with your veterinarian’s help through blood tests and physical exams.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily food intake amount (in grams or cups) and note which food your cat ate more of if offering multiple options. Record any changes in energy level, litter box habits, or appetite over time.
  • If your cat has kidney disease and your vet recommends a special diet, use the app to log which foods you’re offering, how much your cat eats each day, and any behavioral changes you notice. This helps you and your vet see patterns and determine if the diet is working.
  • Create a weekly summary view showing total food intake, preference patterns if offering multiple foods, and any health observations. Share this data with your veterinarian at check-ups to help them assess whether the diet is appropriate and whether your cat is getting adequate nutrition.

This research describes a study of healthy cats, not cats with kidney disease. If your cat has been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease or any other health condition, consult with your veterinarian before making any dietary changes. Your vet can recommend the best diet for your individual cat’s needs and monitor their health. This article is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional veterinary advice. Always work with your veterinarian when managing your cat’s health and nutrition.