New Study Reveals Certain Cat Foods Could Damage Kidneys Within Weeks
A shocking new study carried out by veterinary scientists in Munich shows that high phosphorus in certain cat foods can damage kidney function in cats.
Before the investigation, scientists didn’t know why 35% of older cats suffered from chronic kidney disease. But the results of the new study suggest that excess phosphate in a cat’s diet could have dangerous effects on kidney function, and “could contribute to the high incidence of chronic kidney diseases in elderly cats,” according to Professor Ellen Kienzle, the lead investigator and author of the study. The new findings appear in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.
Tests of commercial cat foods available in Germany, carried out by the consumer organization Stiftung Warentest, revealed that, in particular, moist cat food formulas contain on average several times the amount of phosphorus required to keep cats healthy, which might be sufficient to “damage the healthy feline kidney within a few weeks,” the scientists revealed.
The majority of cats in Germany are fed complete prepared cat foods. Typically, cat foods, especially moist foods, provide, on average, four to five times the phosphorus maintenance requirements, but the maximum concentration of phosphorus in some cat foods covers nine times the maintenance requirement.
As the authors explain, phosphates in animal foods are in part derived from natural sources, mainly bone and cereals, “However, pet-food manufacturers also add inorganic phosphates to achieve the appropriate texture and extend shelf life.”
Now the authors plan to look at the impact of excess dietary phosphate on the health of dogs and it is now the subject of a dissertation in Kienzle’s working group. The initial results suggest that the concentration of phosphate in the blood rises significantly “following the intake of inorganic phosphates.”
How does this study relate to pets in the U.S.? While no one can say for certain, it’s possible, we may be able to extrapolate the results of the study presuming the pet food market in the EU is not that different than it is in the U.S., however, the EU follows maintenance requirements according to the National Research Council and the European Pet Food Industry Federation.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM
If you believe your pet has become ill from consuming a pet food, please provide the FDA with valuable information by reporting it electronically through their Safety Reporting Portal or call your local FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator.
If you and your veterinarian think a pet food or treat is the source of a problem – save it – because your state agricultural or veterinary diagnostic lab may want to do testing. If you need more help, find out how to report a pet food complaint to the FDA.
SINCE YOU’RE HERE …
… I have a small favor to ask. Poisoned Pets’ independent, investigative journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But I do it because I believe this work matters – because it might save your pets life.
If everyone who reads my reporting, who likes it, helps fund it, the future of Poisoned Pets would be much more secure. For as little as $1, you can support Poisoned Pets – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.
Please donate – even if it’s a teensy weensy amount – to help Poisoned Pets.
Pet Food Safety News publishes reader-supported investigative reporting on commercial pet food, industry practices, and regulatory issues affecting consumers. It has no financial ties to pet food companies. Donations help fund the research, writing, and publishing costs behind this work and support continued reporting on transparency, accountability, and consumer protection in the pet food industry. If you value this reporting, please consider making a donation.
Discover more from Pet Food Safety News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
11 Comments
David
My cat Tooter (12 y.o) was fed Friskies wet canned food her whole life. Also a few different kinds of dry food. This last year she started not to finish just a half a small can in the morning and wouldn’t finish the second half at dinner. She was slowly eating less and less. She lost a lot of weight this year and she just got to the point this last week where she wouldn’t eat wet, dry, or even her “Temptations” treats. I brought her to the emergency vet and her kidney value was 180! It’s supposed to be around 70. She was suffering severe kidney failure and I thought it was just a lodged hairball she couldn’t pass. I just had the vet euthanize her yesterday. I’m devastated. I feel responsible for feeding her food high in phosphorus. My heart is broken. I’ve never loved a cat or had such a close bond like I had with my baby girl. My heart physically hurts and it’s hard to breathe. I buried her outside under my bedroom window so she will always be close to me. I just learned about high phosphorus cat foods just now and my guilt is crushing me. Cat food companies are most likely paid big money from the animal health care industry to poison our cats with phosphorus knowing full well it will cause kidney damage and bring veterinarians big money from suffering pets. The exact same way the human medical industrial complex and the pharmaceutical industry make big money from all the harmful ingredients they put in the food, water, and spray in the air with Chemtrails.
Jacqueline Anderson
Hi so what is the safest and best dry and wet cat food to feed our cats
Anita
I think that dry food is very bad for a cat’s kidneys as they never have enough water intake to flush them.
Jodi
So… What is the safest cat food to buy???? Seems like that would be found somewhere on this site.. Im not seeing it yet..
Charmaine
Donated to Poisoned Pets. A little thank you would be nice.
Cynthia
I’ve donate to many organizations and never requested a thank you. Strange that you feel need to be recognized. ?
Chris
Cynthia,
Gratitude is always as good thing and it works in both directions!
There is nothing “strange” about the desire to be appreciated!