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Do phosphorus binders work in regular cat food for kidney disease?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered | 19 years and 10 months old | 9.5 lbs

Hi Are there any studies on effectiveness of phosphorus binder powders being mixed into non kidney foods in cats with kidney issues? Tony is 20 and in early stages renal disease and won’t always eat a kidney diet and when he won’t I mix a phosphorus binder into his senior diet which is for age 12+ cats and is already lower in phosphorus. Thanks

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on November 4th, 2019

Hello. Yes, there are studies done to indicate that phosphorous binders added to non-renal diets will be effective. Many cats will not touch the kidney diets, so adding the binders is the next best way to go. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Lauren Kennedy, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 16th, 2019
I’m sorry you are going though this with Tony. It is a very common problem in cats with renal disease.

I would recommend trying a different brand of kidney diet and see if that helps. Or, maybe try adding some low sodium chicken broth to the food and see if that helps stimulate the appetite. If these ideas aren’t working then yes, I think you could continue to feed the fancy feast with a phosphate binder. The most important thing is that Tony keeps eating!

I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Published on December 20th, 2018
Phosphorus binders are important in cats whose kidney failure makes them high in phosphorus, however many of them taste incredibly bad! If you have exhausted all of the other options, I would discuss some things with your vet:
1. appetite stimulants (entyce or mirtazapine)
2. a flavor enhancer like purina's fortiflora
3. choosing a low protein over the counter canned cat food (some of the ones from Fancy Feast are 'ok')
4. Not using the binder

In end-stage kidney failure, we have to decide which is the best for the pet. In my opinion, keeping them happy and preventing excessive weight loss by feeding them something that tastes good is the best option.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Related Questions

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My cat has high creatinine. Does he need a phosphorus binder?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! A phosphorus binder is used when the phosphorus is high not when just the creatinine is elevated. I would have your Vet get a urine sample and a blood pressure. This will help stage Ike's renal disease. Prescription renal diets are highly recommend to slow progression of disease. Blood pressure medications should be used if high. I wish you the best!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My cat has kidney disease and high phosphorus. Can aluminum hydroxide help?

Poor OIiva! I would certainly get her started on a phosphate binder like aluminum hydroxide if her phosphorus is high. Their is a liquid form but most cats don't like it. I would try the capsules as your mentioned above or have it compounded into a liquid that has fish or chicken flavor. Your vet should be able to help you with this prescription. I would also talk to your vet about starting her on daily or every other day subcutaneous fluids. If she is a cooperate patient, fluids would help to flush out her system and keep her kidney values and phosphorus down and therefore allowing her to feel better. Finally I would talk to your vet about an appetite stimulant if she isn't wanting to eat. I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Cat has kidney disease. Will high sodium food raise blood pressure?

It should not have a significant impact on his blood pressure. Obviously eating the renal diet is best but with kidney disease studies have shown that it is actually the phosphorus restriction that is the most effective. Since he is on a phosphate binder you don't have to worry about that too much. At this stage it is best to just make sure he is eating so give him whatever he will eat. Sounds like you are doing a great job!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Senior cat won't eat kidney food. What low phosphorus diet is best?

Royal Canin carries a diet called Senior Consult which has restricted Phos but not as low as the renal diets so it is not appropriate to feed instead of the renal diets. I recommend to discuss this option with your vet before making any diet changes since they are the most familiar with Tony's history. You may ask your vet about an appetite stimulant such as mirtazapine. Many renal cats want variety. Many owners will keep several renal food options and will switch the kibble every week to keep it interesting. Most cats will go back to eating a diet that they had previously stopped eating so you may try circling back. You should also ask about the return policy when purchasing the food in case Tony won't eat the food. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My cat has kidney issues. Is vet-prescribed food best or supplements?

There is a lot of misconception when it comes to pet food. Grains are not bad for pets as long as they are the right kind, high-quality and easy to digest. They provide many essential amino acids that are not found in animal products. Royal Canin and Science Diet are both high quality brands with lots of research, data and good quality control. Switching to the recommended diet is the best thing you can do for Mercy. The diet contains controlled protein, controlled phosphorus, controlled potassium and additional omega three fatty acid supplements as well as antioxidants. You can certainly supplement her as it is not likely to hurt but the main control for kidney disease will be found with the protein and phosphorus. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My cat has early kidney disease. What phosphorus level is safe?

I don't have a completely simple answer for you, but I can give you a chart for comparing phosporus levels in different foods. http://catinfo.org/docs/CatFoodProteinFatCarbPhosphorusChart.pdf For maintenance diets, AAFCO minimum for phosphorus is 1.25 g/1000 Kcal (1.25% on a dry matter basis) so, if you are looking for non-prescription diets, there will be none lower than that, so you can try to look for diets that are closer to that value. I hope that was helpful! Thanks for using PetCoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Senior cat with kidney disease refuses prescription food. Can I feed regular?

Yes, if you give her normal food it will shorten her life span but I agree with you, her quality of life is more important and she needs to eat! When it comes to kidney disease a food that is as low in phosphorus as possible is recommended. Unfortunately, no over the counter foods are low enough in phosphorus to be beneficial. Hence, the prescription diets. Now, there are many different companies that make prescription diets - I would suggest you try another brand before just giving in to her. The new Hill's kidney diets have E.A.T. (Enhanced Appetite Trigger)™ Technology for cats that has been shown to enhance appetite & increase food intake. Royal Canin and Purina also make kidney diets. Please try these first and if all else fails, just give her what she will eat. Cats are sometimes their own worst enemy! Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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