title: Acceptance and effects of a therapeutic renal food in pet cats with chronic kidney disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Renal foods are used to manage chronic kidney disease (CKD) in dogs and cats, but their effectiveness may be limited by the ability to transition animals to them.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective study, pet cats with previously undiagnosed kidney disease (20 International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) 1, 61 IRIS 2, 14 IRIS 3/4, 33 at risk for CKD) were transitioned to a renal food. Markers of renal function were measured and owners answered questionnaires about their pet over one year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All but eight cats (120/128; 94 per cent) successfully transitioned to the renal food. Most of the time, cats moderately or extremely liked the food (89 per cent), ate at least half (73 per cent) and were moderately or extremely enthusiastic while eating (68 per cent). Cats rarely disliked the food (2 per cent) or refused to eat it (1 per cent). Markers of renal function were unchanged in IRIS 1 and 2 cats and changed little in IRIS 3/4 cats. In all groups, owner-assessed quality of life improved initially and then remained stable. Mean bodyweight did not change in cats with CKD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most cats with CKD successfully transitioned to the renal food. The results also support previous studies that the renal food can help stabilise cats with CKD.
authors.affiliation: Hill's Pet Nutrition , Topeka, KS , USA.
authors.forename: Dale A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Fritsch
authors.affiliation: Hill's Pet Nutrition , Topeka, KS , USA.
authors.forename: Dennis E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Jewell
authors.affiliation: Hill's Pet Nutrition , Topeka, KS , USA.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Leventhal
authors.affiliation: Hill's Pet Nutrition , Topeka, KS , USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brejda
authors.affiliation: Hill's Pet Nutrition , Topeka, KS , USA.
authors.forename: N W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Ahle
authors.affiliation: Hill's Pet Nutrition , Topeka, KS , USA.
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Schiefelbein
authors.affiliation: Hill's Pet Nutrition , Topeka, KS , USA.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Forrester
keywords: Cats; Kidneys; Nutrition; Renal disease