Cat Treats for Cats with Kidney Disease

If your cat has just been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), one of the first questions you will probably ask is: can I still give my cat treats? The good news is yes — treats are absolutely still on the table. You just need to know what to look for. This guide walks you through the best cat treats for cats with kidney disease, including store-bought picks with real phosphorus data and a simple homemade option your cat will love.

We have already put together our full list of commercial cat food for cats with kidney disease, so this article focuses specifically on treat options that are safe, low in phosphorus, and cat-approved.

What to Look for in Cat Treats When Your Cat Has Kidney Disease

When choosing treats for a cat with CKD, the two biggest nutritional concerns are phosphorus and sodium. As kidney function declines, the kidneys become less efficient at filtering phosphorus from the blood. High phosphorus intake accelerates disease progression, so keeping it low is one of the most impactful dietary changes you can make. According to veterinary nutritionists, the recommended phosphorus range on a dry matter basis (DMB) for cats with CKD is 0.3–0.6%.

Sodium is the second thing to watch. Excess sodium raises blood pressure, which puts additional strain on already-compromised kidneys. Avoid any treat that lists salt high on the ingredient list.

Beyond those two factors, here is what to prioritize when reading a treat label:

• Single or minimal ingredients. Fewer ingredients means fewer hidden phosphorus sources.
• No fillers or by-products. Corn, wheat, and mystery by-products add phosphorus without nutritional payoff.
• Human-grade or high-quality protein. Clean protein from a named animal source is always preferable.
• Grain-free when possible. Not strictly necessary, but grain-free treats tend to have simpler, cleaner ingredient lists.

One more important note: regardless of how healthy a treat is, treats should always be given in small, occasional portions. They should never make up a significant portion of your cat’s daily calorie intake. Think of them as a tiny bonus, not a meal replacement.

What about “junk food” treats like Temptations? We cover the phosphorus content in Temptations here. The short version: they clock in at roughly 33.1% protein and 1.17% phosphorus on a dry matter basis, which is higher than ideal. That said, if your cat’s kidney disease is in an early, stable stage and you are keeping portions genuinely tiny, the occasional Temptations treat is not the end of the world — especially if it helps you get medication down at pill time. Just do not make them a daily habit.

Store-Bought Cat Treats for Cats with Kidney Disease

These are the options we have personally tested and researched. Where possible, we have included actual phosphorus data on a dry matter basis so you can make an informed choice.

PureBites Freeze-Dried Treats

PureBites is one of the cleanest treat brands on the market. Every product in their lineup is 100% pure, natural, grain-free, and made with human-grade ingredients. There are no additives, no fillers, and no artificial anything. Because the treats are single-ingredient freeze-dried meat, you know exactly what you are feeding your cat.

Some cats with picky palates do turn their nose up at freeze-dried treats — they have a different texture than traditional crunchy treats. If your cat rejects PureBites, do not stress. There are plenty of other options below. But if your cat takes to them, these are as clean as it gets.

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Tiki Cat Stixs

Tiki Cat Stixs are a creamy mousse-style treat that comes in a squeezable tube. You can feed it directly from the tube like a Gogurt, or squeeze it onto a plate. Cats who love gravy or wet, meaty textures almost always go crazy for these. They also work beautifully as a meal topper when your cat is being finicky and needs a little extra incentive to eat.

Beyond being a crowd-pleaser, Tiki Cat as a brand is committed to quality. Their treats are generally free of grains, artificial flavors, and unnecessary fillers. Just double-check the specific flavor you choose, as phosphorus levels can vary by variety.

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Tiki Cat Broth Pouches

If your cat is a gravy lover, Tiki Cat Broth pouches are an excellent choice. They are low-calorie, free of grains, sugar, salt, starch, by-products, fillers, and artificial flavors or colors. You can pour them over food as a topper or serve them alone as a hydrating treat — which is a real bonus for kidney cats who need to stay well-hydrated.

Important: Not all flavors are CKD-friendly. Some varieties run quite high in phosphorus. Here is the data we gathered directly from the manufacturer on the two safest flavors:

Flavor	Phosphorus (Dry Matter Basis)
Tiki Cat Broths Chicken in Broth with Meaty Bits	0.47%
Tiki Cat Broths Tuna in Broth with Meaty Bits	0.65%

The chicken variety is the better choice for CKD cats, sitting well within the recommended 0.3–0.6% range. The tuna variety edges slightly above that range, so use it sparingly if at all.

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Friskies Lil’ Soups

Friskies Lil’ Soups are a thicker, heartier option compared to the Tiki Cat Broth. Think soup bowl versus broth — these have more substance to them, and cats who want something with a bit more texture tend to prefer them. They are budget-friendly and widely available, which is a nice bonus when you are managing a chronic illness and watching your spending.

Again, not every flavor is appropriate for a kidney disease diet. Here are the flavors we have verified as better suited for CKD cats:

Flavor	Phosphorus (Dry Matter Basis)
Friskies Lil’ Soups with Shrimp in a Velvety Chicken Broth	0.48%
Friskies Lil’ Soups with Chicken and Butternut Squash	0.60%
Friskies Lil’ Soups with Sockeye Salmon in a Velvety Chicken Broth	0.60%
Friskies Lil’ Soups Skipjack Tuna in a Velvety Tuna Broth Senior Formula	0.60%
Friskies Lil’ Soups Flaked Chicken in a Velvety Tuna Broth	0.62%
Friskies Lil’ Soups Tuna in a Velvety Chicken Broth	0.62%

The shrimp variety is the cleanest pick at 0.48%. The flavors sitting at 0.60–0.62% are on the higher end of the acceptable range, so portion size matters more with those.

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Bonito Flakes

Bonito flakes are one of those treats that feel almost too simple to be this good. They are derived from a single protein source, contain no additives or preservatives, and deliver a natural source of taurine — an essential amino acid for cats that supports heart and eye health. The natural fish oils in bonito flakes also help keep your cat’s coat shiny and healthy.

Because they are pure dried fish with no added ingredients, bonito flakes are one of the most straightforward, minimal-risk treats you can give a CKD cat. Sprinkle a small pinch over food as a topper or offer a few flakes on their own as a reward.

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Unsalted Butter

This one surprises most people, but unsalted butter is genuinely one of the best treats for cats in later-stage kidney disease, particularly those struggling to maintain weight. Because it is pure fat with virtually no protein and no phosphorus, it sidesteps two of the biggest dietary concerns in CKD cats entirely.

A small lick of unsalted butter — about the size of a pea — is enough. This is especially useful for cats who have lost muscle mass and need caloric density without the phosphorus load that comes with protein. Just make sure it is unsalted. Salted butter is off the table for obvious reasons.

Homemade Cat Treats for Kidney Disease

Sometimes the best treat is the simplest one. Before reaching for anything in a package, consider what your cat’s ancestors ate: plain meat.

Plain Cooked Chicken

Plain boiled chicken is one of the most effective and universally loved cat treats, and it costs almost nothing to make. Bring a piece of raw chicken breast to a boil in plain water, cook it through, let it cool, and shred it into small pieces. That is it.

The critical rule here is no seasoning whatsoever. Many of the herbs, spices, and seasonings humans use in everyday cooking are toxic to cats. Garlic and onion in particular are dangerous even in small amounts. Plain means plain: just chicken and water. Nothing else.

Plain chicken is a reliable option for cats who have become picky eaters, which is common as CKD progresses. The smell and texture are often enough to tempt even the most stubborn appetite.

How to Find the Phosphorus Content of Any Cat Treat

One frustration many CKD cat owners run into is that phosphorus content is not required on cat food or treat labels in the US. This makes it genuinely difficult to evaluate products without doing extra research. Here is what to do:

Call or email the manufacturer directly and ask for the phosphorus content on a dry matter basis. This distinction matters. Manufacturers sometimes provide phosphorus data “as fed,” which is not comparable across products because of varying moisture levels. Dry matter basis is the standard you need. If a company is unwilling to share this information, that is a reason to move on to a different product.

One more tip: avoid mentioning that your cat has kidney disease when you reach out. Companies cannot legally recommend their products for specific medical conditions (outside of prescription diets), and mentioning CKD sometimes causes customer service representatives to give a non-answer rather than the number you need. Simply ask for the phosphorus percentage on a dry matter basis and you will usually get a more direct response.

Frequently Asked Questions About Treats for Cats with Kidney Disease

What phosphorus level is safe for cat treats with CKD?

Veterinary nutritionists generally recommend keeping phosphorus below 0.6% on a dry matter basis for cats with CKD. For cats in more advanced stages of kidney disease, aiming for 0.3–0.5% is even better. Always confirm the dry matter basis number, not the “as fed” figure, which will be much lower and can be misleading.

Can cats with kidney disease have any treats at all?

Yes. Treats are still fine for CKD cats as long as they are low in phosphorus, low in sodium, and given in small portions. The key is keeping them truly occasional and genuinely small — a few pieces, not a handful.

Are Temptations treats safe for cats with kidney disease?

Temptations are not ideal for CKD cats due to their higher phosphorus and sodium content. That said, a very small quantity used specifically to help administer medication is unlikely to cause serious harm, especially in early-stage kidney disease. We cover the full phosphorus content of Temptations here if you want to dig into the numbers.

Can I give my CKD cat human food as a treat?

Some human foods are perfectly safe and even beneficial — plain cooked chicken and a small amount of unsalted butter are great examples. However, many human foods are dangerous for cats, including anything containing garlic, onion, grapes, raisins, or chocolate. When in doubt, stick to plain single-ingredient animal protein with no seasonings.

My cat won’t eat any of these treats. What else can I try?

Appetite changes are common in CKD cats, especially as the disease progresses. If your cat is turning down food or treats they used to love, the first step is to get updated bloodwork done. High phosphorus levels in the blood can make cats feel genuinely unwell and kill their appetite. Addressing the underlying values is often more effective than cycling through new treats. Talk to your vet about phosphorus binders and any appetite stimulants that might be appropriate for your cat’s specific situation.

Final Thoughts on Treats for Cats with Kidney Disease

Managing CKD in a cat is an ongoing balancing act, but treat time does not have to be stressful. Armed with a little phosphorus knowledge and a handful of vet-friendly options, you can still make your cat feel loved and rewarded without compromising their health.

To recap: prioritize low phosphorus (under 0.6% DMB), watch sodium levels, keep portions tiny, and when in doubt, plain cooked chicken is always a safe bet. The products listed here — PureBites, Tiki Cat Stixs, Tiki Cat Broth, Friskies Lil’ Soups, bonito flakes, and a lick of unsalted butter — are the ones we have used and researched ourselves for our own CKD cats.

If you have a treat that works well for your kidney disease kitty that is not on this list, drop it in the comments below. We love hearing what is working for other cats, and your suggestion might help someone else in our community.

Always consult with your veterinarian before making changes to your cat’s diet, especially when managing a condition like chronic kidney disease.

What to Look for in You Cat Treats

So if you cat has kidney disease and you have read our article on what our favorite food options for CKD are you probably have the basics already covered here. For those of you that haven’t we most importantly want a diet full of clean protein that skips the fillers and “junk food.”

Cats are obligatory carnivores so they really crave eating an all meat diet. They don’t need carbohydrates in their diet like you and I. However, when your kidneys aren’t working so great protein does adds strain. So it’s a delicate balance as with everything in managing this disease.

However, when it comes to giving my CKD cats a treat, it’s important to remember these are just that, occasional treats. You should aim to keep treats tiny little samplings that are served in very small portions. So while it’s ideal to stick to the list I am going to cover below of some great high quality protein snack for you cat to nibble on I do occassionally fall into the YOLO camp.

If you are truly keep treats limited and in small portions then go ahead and give them those Temptations. They maybe the equivalent of cat junk food and full of salt but it’s just a tiny treat and they make your cat happy. For more we cover the phosphorus in Temptations here. I do like to save these “bad” treats for medicine time as it smooths the whole process out. If I am looking for a, “hey you’re adorable treat” I stick to the list below.

For those of you wondering Temptations Cat Treats have an approximate protein content of 33.1% and phosphorous content of 1.17% on a Dry Matter Basis. So it’s not the best but I have seen wet food with higher phosphorous.

It’s not to say the items below your cats won’t go nuts for but some cats have been known to turn their nose up to PureBites. If this is the case for you I would then turn to gravy option but if all else fails don’t stress over breaking out the traditional cat treats.