Principal Investigator: Kenneth W. Simpson

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): 

Farmina Vetlife Feline Renal Diet (RENAL HYDROLYZED) is a complete and balanced commercially available pet food formulated to support renal function in cats with chronic renal insufficiency or temporary renal insufficiency. The primary aim of the study is to assess the ability of three different dietary formulations that are equal in macronutrients but vary in protein type (intact vs hydrolyzed), levels of betaine, prebiotics, antioxidants, B-vitamins and chitin to delay the progression of disease in cats with early renal disease (IRIS Stage 1 and 2).

We hypothesize that a diet composed of hydrolyzed fish protein will be superior to a diet containing intact fish protein, and that a hydrolyzed fish diet augmented in betaine, anti-oxidants, B-vitamins, prebiotics and chitin will be superior to a non-augmented hydrolyzed fish diet.

The ability of these diets to maintain or improve clinical status will be determined by serial evaluation of body condition (body weight and condition score, muscle mass), biomarkers of renal function (creatinine, SDMA, urine specific gravity and protein) and calcium : phosphorous balance over a one year period.