TOPICS OF INTEREST :: KIDNEY DIETS FOR OLDER PETS

When cats get older their kidneys often begin to fail. Because the kidney's job is to eliminate anything usable from blood, the goal of this diet is to lighten their load. We do that by providing minimal levels of protein, phosphorus and sodium in a maximally-usable form so that there is as little waste as possible. By feeding a fresh diet, you can also eliminate the artificial preservatives, flavorings and colorings added to many pet foods. This recipe provides about 24% highly usable protein, with low sodium and phosphorus levels and generous levels of B complex and Vitamin A.

Yield: About 6 cups; provides about 5 - 6 days food.

• 1 and 1/3 cups (2/3 lb. ground chicken, turkey or lean heart)
• 4 cups cooked white rice, enriched
• 4 eggs
• 2 tablespoons cold-pressed safflower, soy or corn oil, or vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon parsley, finely grated carrot or other vegetable (optional)
• 1/8 teaspoon iodized salt
• 1/8 teaspoon potassium chloride salt substitute (optional, for saltier flavor)
• 1,500 mg calcium
• 5,000 IU Vitamin A
• 50 mg level Vitamin B complex (or about 10 mg/day)
• 2,500 mg Vitamin C (1/2 teaspoon sodium ascorbate)
• Cat vitamins with taurine (about 5 days worth)

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Serve the food raw if your cat will accept it. Otherwise, mix all but the vitamins together and bake in a moderate oven for about 20 minutes. Allow to cool, then add vitamins. (Your cat may have a poor appetite, so to some extent, you may cater to his desires just to keep him nourished.) Be sure provide plenty of fresh water at all times, preferably filtered or bottled.

Variations: Occasionally include a small amount of calf, beef or chicken liver in the recipe (1-3 teaspoon)