Early Kidney & Joint Cat Food KJ1 – Kidney & Joint Health

VETERINARY HPM® KJ1 Early Kidney & Joint Dry is a food for ageing cats with mobility issues linked to osteoarthritis, and early kidney dysfunction at IRIS stage 1 in adult or senior cats.

If your cat has intermediate or advanced kidney disease (stages 2-4), they may be better suited to VETERINARY HPM® KJ2 Kidney & Joint Dry or VETERINARY HPM® KJ3 Advanced Kidney & Joint Dry.

Always check with your vet or vet nurse before giving your cat a clinical diet to make sure it’s safe and appropriate for their individual needs.

The International Renal Interest Society, or IRIS, classification system is a way of describing how advanced a cat’s kidney dysfunction or disease is. It tells your vet how well your cat’s kidneys are functioning and helps them to plan the most appropriate treatment, including diet.

Kidney disease is grouped into one of four IRIS stages:

• Stage 1 refers to early-stage kidney dysfunction.
• Stage 2 refers to intermediate or mid-stage kidney disease.
• Stage 3 refers to advanced kidney disease.
• Stage 4 refers to very advanced or end-stage kidney disease.

VETERINARY HPM® KJ1 Early Kidney & Joint Dry is formulated to help your cat maintain healthy kidney function. It does this with:

• Low phosphorus content to reduce strain on the kidneys and slow disease progression.
• Chitosan to bind phosphorous and reduce levels even further.

VETERINARY HPM® KJ1 Early Kidney & Joint Dry contains a range of nutrients designed to keep the joints mobile, flexible and healthy:

• Omega-3 fatty acids limit inflammation that can lead to joint pain and degeneration.
• Egg shell membrane is rich in collagen, glucosamine and other nutrients naturally found in the joints.
• Chondroitin sulphate helps to prevent the breakdown of joint cartilage and supports lubrication.
• Chitosan optimises the breakdown and absorption of chondroitin.
• Adapted calorie content helps your cat maintain a healthy weight and reduces joint strain
• Low carbohydrate and high protein composition helps to preserve muscle mass and promote mobility

Yes. If you prefer to give your cat wet food, try VETERINARY HPM® KJ1 Early Kidney & Joint Wet instead. It features the same high-quality animal proteins, low phosphorus content and joint-supportive nutrients, in delicious chunks and gravy your cat will love.

You can find recommended rations for VETERINARY HPM® KJ1 Early Kidney & Joint Dry on this page and on the packaging. Remember that the recommended rations are based on your cat’s current body weight and whether this weight is overweight, normal or underweight for them. If you are unsure what a normal weight is for your cat, consult your vet for advice.

The recommended rations will change if your cat gains or loses weight, or their body condition (overweight, normal, underweight) changes. To ensure you’re feeding your cat the correct amount, weigh them every month and adjust their ration if necessary.

If in doubt about how much to feed your cat, always ask your vet for guidance.

Yes. In fact, adding wet food to your cat’s diet is a great way to increase their hydration, which is essential for their kidney health. If you’re feeding your cat a mixture of wet and dry foods, you can choose how much of each to give your cat based on their individual needs and preferences. The feeding table provided on this page can be used as a guide, but ask your vet for advice if you’re unsure.

Cats are creatures of habit, so it’s a good idea to introduce new foods slowly. Try mixing a small amount of the new food with their current food, gradually increasing the amount until they’re exclusively eating the new food. Use the following schedule as a guide for a successful transition:

• Days 1-2 – 75% current food and 25% new food.
• Days 3-4 – 50% current food and 50% new food.
• Days 5-6 – 25% current food and 75% new food.
• Day 7 onwards – 100% new food.

A cat should drink approximately 60ml of water per kg of body weight per day. Increased thirst can sometimes be a sign of other health conditions, including chronic kidney disease. If your cat is drinking significantly more than usual or cannot seem to satisfy their thirst, always speak to your vet about your concerns.