Purina is launching two new veterinary diets which aimed at cats suffering in both early and advanced stages of renal disease.
Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Renal Function Early Care and Advanced Care are formulated to meet the nutritional needs of cats in International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) stage 1&2 (early phase) and IRIS stage 3&4 (late phase) respectively.
The foods contain specially-adjusted levels of protein and phosphorus in order to balance the need to provide protein for older cats against uraemic toxin production in late phase renal decline. The Early Care product contains additional omega-3 fatty acids, potassium and antioxidants to support in early stages while omega-3 fatty acids are further increased in the later stage Advanced Care variant.
NF Renal Function Early Care is available in a dry format (1.5kg) and a pouch (tender pieces with chicken 85g) while Advanced Care is available in 1.5kg and 5kg packs of dry food, and wet options of tender pieces with chicken/salmon (85g pouches) and a mousse (195g can).
Dr Ellie Groves, Purina technical manager for the UK and Ireland, explains: “As obligate carnivores, cats have a high requirement for protein, however, around 20% of senior cats have decreased ability to digest protein, and so are absorbing less protein.
“But we need to be careful – in renal disease, there is the potential for protein breakdown products to increase in the circulation, acting as toxins. So, we need to fine-tune the amount of protein, depending on the stage of chronic renal insufficiency. A dual approach, with Early and Advanced products, allows tailoring of protein levels.”
She continued, “Alongside protein, phosphorus content is also tailored to the stage of kidney decline. Restricting phosphorus can slow the progression of chronic kidney disease by reducing morphological damage to the kidneys and is thought to be the most important influencer of survival in cats with chronic kidney disease.”
