FREEZE-DRIED RAW · CAT FEEDING GUIDE
Feeding for Kidney Support
Kidney support is one of the most common reasons cats change how they eat — especially as they move into their senior years. The aim is gentle: protect the body with the diet a cat is built for, while easing the everyday load on the kidneys.
Cats are obligate carnivores, so the answer isn't less meat — it's better meat and far more moisture. Freeze-dried raw delivers high-quality animal protein and, once rehydrated, the water-rich meal that supports healthy hydration a kidney-conscious cat depends on.
What your cat actually needs
Cats are obligate carnivores — they're built to run on meat, organ and moisture. Here's what matters most.
Low natural thirst drive
Needs: Moisture built into the meal, not just the bowl
Freeze-dried raw rehydrates into a high-moisture meal, supporting the healthy hydration that is a kidney-conscious cat's biggest dietary lever.
Obligate carnivore
Needs: High-quality, highly digestible animal protein
Meat-and-organ freeze-dried raw delivers premium animal protein a cat's body uses efficiently, with no plant filler to work around.
Appetite that can waver with age
Needs: Aromatic, appealing food in small meals
Warmed, rehydrated raw smells like real prey, helping tempt a finicky senior to eat enough across the day.
Taurine-dependent heart & vision
Needs: Abundant taurine from animal tissue
Raw meat and organ are naturally rich in taurine, supporting heart and eye health that matters more as cats age.
Poor carbohydrate metabolism
Needs: A very low carb load
A meat-first raw diet keeps carbohydrates minimal, supporting steady energy and an easy, healthy weight.
How much to feed your cat
Quick answer: portion freeze-dried raw by your cat's ideal weight — about 0.13 oz per pound per day, split across two or more small meals. Feed to a lean body, not the bag.
| Ideal adult weight | Freeze-dried per day | Per meal (×2) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 lb | 0.8 oz | 0.4 oz |
| 8 lb | 1 oz | 0.5 oz |
| 10 lb | 1.3 oz | 0.7 oz |
| 12 lb | 1.6 oz | 0.8 oz |
| 15 lb | 2 oz | 1 oz |
| 18 lb | 2.3 oz | 1.2 oz |
Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.13 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active pets need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.
What to feed your cat
Build the bowl around high-quality, highly digestible animal protein and generous moisture. Rehydrate freeze-dried raw recipes into a soup-like meal, warm slightly to lift the aroma, and rotate gentle proteins like fish and poultry to keep an older cat interested.
Land Animal's cat recipes are meat-first and gently freeze-dried to preserve nutrition — rich in real animal protein and taurine, low in carbohydrate, and easy to serve at high moisture for a hydration-forward, kidney-conscious routine.
Feeding by life stage
- Kitten: Kidney support is rarely a kitten concern; growing kittens need calorie-dense, frequent meals of complete-and-balanced raw to build a strong start.
- Adult: In adulthood, lean on moisture-rich raw meals and a steady healthy weight to support long-term kidney and urinary health.
- Senior: Seniors benefit most from highly digestible animal protein and generous moisture in smaller, more frequent meals to support muscle, hydration and kidney health.
Common concerns — and the diet connection
- HydrationThe moisture in rehydrated raw helps a low-thirst cat take in more water at mealtime, supporting healthy hydration and kidney function.
- Maintaining muscleHigh-quality, highly digestible animal protein helps an older cat hold lean muscle without overloading the system with low-value protein.
- Appetite & weightAromatic, warmed raw meals help tempt a waning senior appetite so they keep eating enough to maintain a healthy weight.
- Urinary healthA high-moisture, meat-first diet helps dilute urine and supports overall urinary-tract health alongside kidney care.
Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.
Feeding your cat: what to know
Feed a kidney-conscious cat to a steady, healthy body weight across two or more small meals a day. Small, frequent meals are gentler on appetite, which can waver in older cats, and they help keep food appealing.
Always rehydrate freeze-dried raw with plenty of warm water — moisture is the single most useful lever you have at home. Keep fresh water everywhere, watch body condition every couple of weeks, and work with your veterinarian on any specific dietary targets for your cat.
Cat feeding questions
What should I feed a cat with kidney concerns?
Why is moisture so important for kidney support?
How much should I feed a senior or kidney-conscious cat?
My senior cat is a picky eater — how do I get them to eat?
Is raw food appropriate for an older cat?
How often should a kidney-conscious cat eat?
THE CLEAN BOWL GUARANTEE
If your cat won't eat it, it's on us
Try your cat's first plan risk-free. If they turn up their nose, we'll make it right — money-back, and skip, pause or cancel anytime.
- Obligate-carnivore formulated
- AAFCO complete & balanced
- Pathogen-tested every batch
“My picky indoor cat actually finishes her bowl now — and she’s drinking less because the food has real moisture back in it.”
— Dana & Miso“Switching our senior to raw was easier than I expected. He’s more playful and his coat looks incredible.”
— Theo & Pepper
Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual cat's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.