Chicken:
Boneless thigh or drumstick with skin on, whole chicken with skin (deboned)

Duck:
Boneless breast including fat and skin

Beef:
Mince (15-18% fat), T-bone steak (bone removed, fat untrimmed), scotch fillet steak (untrimmed), porterhouse steak (untrimmed)

Lamb:
Mince (15-18% fat), easy carve shoulder, mid loin or forequarter chops (bone removed, untrimmed)

Pork:
Scotch roast or fillet steaks (untrimmed), mince (15-18% fat), pork and beef mince (15% fat), loin chops (untrimmed)

Venison:
Mince (6-8% fat) PLUS 75 grams of additional fat (choose from raw or rendered animal fats e.g. duck fat, tallow, lard, dripping or raw beef or lamb fat, unsalted butter or ghee, or olive oil (light flavour))

Wild boar:
Mince (6-8% fat) PLUS 75 grams of additional fat (choose from raw or rendered animal fats e.g. duck fat, tallow, lard, dripping or raw beef or lamb fat, unsalted butter or ghee, or olive oil (light flavour))

Chicken and turkey:
Skinless and boneless chicken thigh, breast or drumstick, chicken mince (2-3% fat), turkey mince (6% fat), chicken hearts (fat trimmed off), chicken gizzards

Pork:
Rump steak (untrimmed), mince (5% fat), sizzle steaks, loin medallions (fat trimmed off)

Lamb:
Diced or stir-fry strips (5% fat), chump chops, leg steak or rump (fat trimmed off), loin chops or eye of loin, heart (fat trimmed off)

Beef:
Blade, round or rump steak (fat trimmed off), mince (5% fat), veal loin chops (untrimmed), chuck or gravy beef (fat trimmed off), topside roast or steak (fat trimmed off), eye fillet steak (fat trimmed off), cheek (fat trimmed off)

Wild Alaskan pink salmon:
Canned in spring water (entire can contents)

Goat:
Lean diced meat or heart (fat trimmed off)

Kangaroo:
Mince (2-3% fat)

Rabbit:
Wild or farmed rabbit meat (2-5% fat)

Venison:
Shoulder (fat trimmed off), tenderloin or leg steak

Blue mussels:
Cooked only (no shells)

Combining lean and fatty meats in a specific ratio allows the diet to meet important nutritional goals for cats with early kidney disease. The target protein content is about 9.5 grams per 1000 kcal ME; all these combinations of meats achieve a similar protein content (9-10 grams). Similarly, the target phosphorus is 1.1 gram per 1000 kcal ME; all combinations also achieve this target (1-1.2 grams).

It is difficult to meet these targets with one meat alone; often the protein or phosphorus is actually too low if the meat is fattier. Restricting phosphorus too much in cats with early kidney disease can increase the risk of hypercalcaemia (high calcium in the blood). Excessive protein may increase uraemic toxin formation, and too little protein may cause muscle loss. It's important to get things just right! With this guide, we have tried to provide flexibility, while also keeping the nutritional features of the diet robust and based on scientific evidence.

For cats with kidney disease, both omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) and fibre may have a beneficial therapeutic effect. Fibre has been shown to reduce uraemic toxin formation in the gut, and BUN and creatinine may be reduced. Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce kidney fibrosis and DHA in particular may help to protect the kidneys in cats with early kidney disease.

We add both omega-3 and fibre to CompleteMe Renal Feline, however we also recommend adding more to the diet, for a stronger therapeutic effect. In reality, it is difficult to add enough omega-3 and fibre to a meal completer to achieve this, without the supplement becoming unpalatable, expensive and bulky. It's better to add it to the food separately, so you can also adjust the dose as needed and introduce it gradually.

You can include the meat raw or cooked, depending on preference. For raw human-grade meat, be sure to freeze the meat for 10 days prior to use. For wild-caught meats or pork (in areas with Trichinella, freezing for 3 weeks prior to use is sensible. Please discuss raw-feeding with your cat's veterinarian; raw feeding is not suitable for all cats or households.

This diet is high in fat. Some nutritionists have observed that some cats with pancreatitis may not tolerate a very high fat diet. At the moment, there is no published evidence to support this, however research on this is currently being conducted.

To reduce the fat content of the diet, we can either increase protein or carbohydrate. There is evidence that, even for cats with early kidney disease, feeding excessive protein (more than they need) may increase uraemic toxin formation, and these toxins can cause harm. So, we need to increase carbohydrate.

To do this, please adjust the ratios of ingredients and add a carbohydrate source:

• 500 grams of leaner meat (see FAQ above for options)
• 200 grams of fattier meat (see FAQ above for options)
• 300 grams of cooked white rice or cooked pearled barley (process briefly in food processor after cooking, to break up the grains, as needed)
• 4 mL of omega-3-rich oil
• 1-3 teaspoons of added fibre
• 30 grams of CompleteMe Renal Feline

Please follow preparation instructions above. This produces a diet with the preferred amounts for protein and phosphorus, 35% calories from fat, and 24% calories from carbohydrate. Generally a lower carbohydrate diet would be preferred for cats with diabetes, however some cats may tolerate this amount. Barley would be the preferred option, for its lesser effect on blood glucose (compared with rice).

Yes, this diet is ultra-low in carbohydrate and can be fed to diabetic cats. Please note that it is high in fat. This may or may not suit some cats with pancreatitis. If you are looking for a moderate fat renal diet, please see the FAQ above.

Here are some ideas:

• Chicken thigh (skin on) with wild pink salmon
• Pork mince (15% fat) with rabbit meat
• Beef scotch fillet with kangaroo mince
• Duck breast (skin on) with venison shoulder
• Chicken thigh (skin on) and turkey mince (6% fat)

To encourage your cat to eat, try adding a small amount of grated full-fat cheese, crumbled freeze-dried treats, the spring water from a tin of tuna, or commercial treats like Churu. Even if these treats aren't optimal from a nutritional perspective, they can gradually be reduced over time.

• Chicken thigh (skin on) with beef mince (5% fat)
• Pork scotch fillet (untrimmed) with lean diced lamb (5% fat)
• Beef mince (15-18% fat) with skinless chicken thigh
• Chicken thigh (skin on) with turkey mince (6% fat)