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Hill's Prescription Diet

k/d Early Support with Chicken Cat Food

Product Description

Delicious clinical nutrition for early intervention to protect vital kidney function, increase appetite and build muscle mass

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Primary Product Recommendation

Kidney Care

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Alternate Product Recommendation

Heart Care, Liver Care, Urinary Care

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  • Key Benefits

    Diagnosing chronic kidney disease (CKD) earlier in cats is now possible, giving you more time for effective treatment options with your patients. CKD is not reversible, but progression may be slowed and taking action early is important and beneficial. Therapeutic foods for kidney conditions are designed to help reduce workload on the kidneys, enabling them to function more effectively. 1,2,3



    Hill's Prescription Diet k/d Early Support is clinically tested nutrition shown to stabilize markers of renal function in cats with IRIS Stages 1 or 2 CKD. It's formulated with ActivBiome+ Kidney Defense, a proprietary blend of prebiotics shown to activate the gut microbiome to help protect kidney function. 3,4



    Designed to stimulate appetite and encourage eating for energy and vitality, Prescription Diet k/d Early Support helps maintain a healthy weight and muscle mass in cats with CKD. This dry food is made with chicken and has an irresistible taste that cats will love.



    Acting early with the nutrition of Prescription Diet k/d Early Support can help improve and lengthen quality of life. 1,5-8


    These characteristics make Prescription Diet k/d Early Support, veterinary exclusive dry cat food, a useful nutritional aid for cats with early kidney disease (IRIS Stages 1-2):


    KEY FEATURES KEY BENEFITS
    Phosphorus, Sodium Avoids excess Helps slow the progression of chronic kidney disease.
    ActivBiome+ Kidney Defense Added A proprietary blend of prebiotics shown to activate the gut microbiome to reduce uremic toxins.
    Provides 13% more high quality, highly digestible protein for cats vs. Prescription Diet k/d Added Helps maintain a healthy weight and muscle mass.
    Enhanced Appetite Trigger (E.A.T.) for cats Added Stimulates appetite in cats with kidney disease and increases caloric intake.
    Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil Added Helps fight renal inflammation.
    High levels of essential amino acids Added More than 160% of daily essential amino acid requirements to help support muscle mass.
    L-carnitine Increased Helps improve utilization of fat to avoid muscle breakdown for energy.

    Indications:

    Primary Indications:

    • Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) IRIS Stages 1-2 (non-proteinuric)
    • Mild to moderate stages of heart disease, including asymptomatic
    • Advanced stages of heart disease
    • Ascites or edema associated with heart disease
    • Hypertension (primary)
    • General liver disorders
    • Hepatic encephalopathy
    • Hepatic lipidosis (encephalopathic)
    • Urate & cystine urolith management

    Other Indications:

    • Acute kidney insult

     

    Not Recommended For:

    • Growing kittens, pregnant or nursing cats

    Evidence-Based Clinical Nutrition:

    • A double masked, randomized, controlled clinical trial found that uremic crises were minimized (thereby improving the quality of life) in cats with spontaneous chronic renal failure consuming the nutrition of Prescription Diet k/d Early Support Feline.5

    • A 6 month clinical study demonstrated that cats with CKD consuming the nutrition of Prescription Diet k/d Early Support had a significant increase in body weight and no change in lean body mass, while cats with CKD fed a positive control food had significant loss of body weight and lean body mass. Cats also consumed 23 per cent more calories when fed Prescription Diet k/d as compared with cats fed a positive control food.6

    • In a prospective study, cats with previously undiagnosed kidney disease (20 cats in IRIS Stage 1, 61 IRIS Stage 2, 14 IRIS Stage 3 and 4, 33 at-risk for CKD) were transitioned to a therapeutic renal food. Markers of renal function were measured over one year. Few changes in markers of renal function were detected in this 12-month study. Serum creatinine and BUN concentrations remained stable in at-risk cats and those with IRIS Stage 1 or 2 CKD. These results suggest that the nutrition of a therapeutic renal food stabilizes markers of renal function in cats at risk and cats with IRIS Stage 1 or 2 CKD. Renal values remained stable over the entire 12-month study.3 ** This is important knowing that approximately one-third of healthy, geriatric cats in a recent study progressed to develop azotemia within 1 year.7

    • A retrospective study demonstrated that cats with CKD fed the nutrition of Prescription Diet k/d Early Support dry had significantly longer median survival time and lower serum creatinine levels (18.1 months, 242 umol/l) as compared to cats with CKD fed a non-therapeutic food (8.5 months, 277 umol/l).8

     

    Additional Info:

    Prescription Diet k/d Early Support has increased dietary buffering capacity. This helps counteract the tendency for metabolic acidosis, a common complication as kidney disease progresses.



    Ideal for long-term feeding of cats with kidney disease. Dry and canned formulas can be mixed or fed concurrently.


    Other Products to Consider

    • For patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) IRIS Stages 1-2 (non-proteinuric), IRIS Stages 3-4, and all IRIS stages with proteinuria: Prescription Diet k/d Cat Food, Prescription Diet k/d + j/d Cat Food
    • For patients with CKD and concurrent osteoarthritis: Prescription Diet k/d + j/d Cat Food
    • For patients with acute kidney insult: Prescription Diet k/d Cat Food, Prescription Diet k/d + j/d Cat Food
    • For patients with mild to moderate stages of heart disease, including asymptomatic: Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Cat Food, Prescription Diet d/d Cat Food, Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Stress Cat Food, Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome Cat Food, Prescription Diet m/d GlucoSupport Cat Food
    • For patients with advanced stages of heart disease: Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Stress Cat Food, Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Cat Food, Prescription Diet d/d Cat Food
    • For patients with ascites or edema associated with heart disease (heart failure) or primary hypertension: Prescription Diet d/d Cat Food
    • For patients with hepatic encephalopathy, including hepatic lipidosis: Prescription Diet k/d Cat Food
    • For patients with urate or cystine urolithiasis: Prescription Diet k/d Cat Food, Prescription Diet k/d + j/d Cat Food

    References:

    1. Polzin DJ. Evidence-based step-wise approach to managing chronic kidney disease in dogs and cats. J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 2013;23(2):205-215.


    2. Hall JA, Yerramilli M, Obare E, et al. Comparison of serum concentrations of SDMA and creatinine as kidney function biomarkers in cats with chronic kidney disease. J Vet Intern Med. 2014;28(6):1676-1683.


    3. Fritsch DA, Jewell DE. Acceptance and effects of a therapeutic renal food in pet cats with chronic kidney disease. Vet Rec Open. 2015;2(2):e000128.


    4. Hall JA, Jewell DE, Ephraim E (2022) Feeding cats with chronic kidney disease food supplemented with betaine and prebiotics increases total body mass and reduces uremic toxins. PLoS ONE 17(5): e0268624. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0268624


    5. Ross SJ, Osborne CA, Kirk CA, Lowry SR, Koehler LA, Polzin DJ, Clinical evaluation of dietary modification for treatment of spontaneous chronic kidney disease in cats, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 229 (6), 949-957, 2006.


    6. Hall et al, Cats with IRIS stage 1 and 2 chronic kidney disease maintain body weight and lean muscle mass when fed food having increased caloric density, and enhanced concentrations of carnitine and essential amino acids. Veterinary Record, 2018. doi: 10.1136/vr.104865


    7. Jepson RE, Brodbelt D, Vallance C, et al. Evaluation of predictors of the development of azotemia in cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2009;23(4):806-813.


    8. Plantinga et al, Retrospective study of the survival of cats with acquired chronic renal insufficiency offered different commercial diets. Veterinary Record, 2005: 157, 185-187.

  • Feeding Guide

    How to adjust feeding amounts to maintain optimal weight.

    • Provide specific feeding instructions for your patient.

    • Daily Feeding Recommendations are only a guide and a place to start.

    • Grams are the most accurate form of measurement; cups are estimated from grams.

    • Monitoring your patient's condition will assure the nutritional recommendation provides the best results.

    • Gradually transition to this new food for 7 days or more. Some cats may need longer than 7 days to transition to a new food. Be patient and consistent.

    • Reinforce with clients to feed Prescription Diet dry food, canned food, & treats exclusively.


    • Avoid transitioning to the new food during periods of illness or hospitalization. A food aversion may develop, causing decreased acceptance of the food when the cat is feeling better.

    Adult maintenance


    Weight of Cat - lbs (kgs) Amount per Day - cups (grams)
    6 (2,7) 1/3 (45)
    8 (3,6) 3/8 (50)
    10 (4,5) 1/2 (65)
    12 (5,4) 5/8 (80)
    14 (6,4) 5/8 (80)
    16 (7,3) 3/4 (95)
    18 (8,2) 3/4 (95)

    Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Hill's Prescription Diet k/d Early Support with Chicken Cat Food provides complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adult cats

  • Ingredients

    High quality protein and thoughtfully sourced ingredients.

    Chicken, Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Wheat, Corn Protein Meal, Chicken Fat, Egg Product, Wheat Gluten, Pea Protein, Brown Rice, Flaxseed, Chicken Liver Flavor, Dried Beet Pulp, Soybean Oil, Fish Oil, Lactic Acid, Calcium Sulfate, L-Arginine, Potassium Citrate, Betaine, Whole Grain Oats, Choline Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Taurine, Potassium Chloride, DL-Methionine, Iodized Salt, L-Carnitine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), L-Threonine, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, Beta-Carotene.

  • Average Nutrient & Caloric Content

    Balanced nutrition that exceeds AAFCO nutrition standards.

    4082 kcal/kg 521 kcal/cup†

    Nutrient As Fed1% Dry Matter2% As Fed, Caloric Basis3g/100 kcal
    Protein 32 % 34.1 % 7.9 g / 100 kcal
    Fat 20.5 % 21.8 % 5 g / 100 kcal
    Carbohydrate / NFE 35 % 37.2 % 8.6 g / 100 kcal
    Crude Fiber 1.4 % 1.5 % 0.3 g / 100 kcal
    Calcium 0.71 % 0.76 % 174 mg / 100 kcal
    Phosphorus 0.51 % 0.55 % 126 mg / 100 kcal
    Potassium 0.71 % 0.75 % 173 mg / 100 kcal
    Sodium 0.26 % 0.28 % 64 mg / 100 kcal
    Magnesium 0.089 % 0.095 % 22 mg / 100 kcal
    Taurine 0.26 % 0.28 % 64 mg / 100 kcal
    Vitamin C 129 ppm 137 ppm 3.16 mg / 100 kcal
    Vitamin E 812 IU/kg 864 IU/kg 19.89 IU / 100 kcal
    Total Omega-3 FA 1.52 % 1.61 % 371 mg / 100 kcal
    Carnitine 575.2 ppm 611.9 ppm 14.09 mg / 100 kcal

    References

    1Differs from label guarantees which are either maximums or minimums.
    2The nutrient in the product after moisture is removed. It is used to make direct comparisons of nutrient profiles with differing moisture contents.
    3Nutrient intake for every 100 kilocalories consumed.


    †An eight fluid oz. measuring cup of k/d Early Support with Chicken Cat Food contains 4.5 oz. by weight.

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