What to Feed a Cat With Liver Failure​

The liver is a key organ, sometimes called the "Factory of the Body." Its key functions are to manufacture essential substances like proteins and bile and remove waste substances, drugs, and chemicals from the body.

There is no set cure for liver failure in cats. However, depending on the condition's progression and the cause, some cats can recover with proper treatment.

Changing your cat's diet is one key step to helping cats recover from liver failure or manage their condition if it's progressed beyond treatments. In this guide, we explain the key things to consider when choosing a food for a cat with liver failure.

The Liver is involved in digestion, the use of nutrients, the removal of toxins from the blood, and the storage of vitamins and minerals. Liver Disease refers to any condition that may affect the function of the liver. If the liver is not functioning correctly, toxins will build up in the bloodstream, making the animal ill. 

Feline liver failure can be caused by several things, including:

• Viruses and bacteria
• Tumors 
• Damage caused by drugs and chemicals—This is either through direct harm or by the liver overworking to eliminate them. 
• Age—As cats age, it's common for them to devlop liver disease or liver failure. However, some young animals can also be born with liver disorders.
• Breed—Some breeds, like Siamese cats, are more predisposed to liver disorders. 

Unfortunately, almost 70% of the liver needs to be affected before symptoms will show. The symptoms are not specific and can appear to be similar to other complaints, so your vet may suggest blood tests, ultrasound scans, and biopsies to confirm liver failure in cats. 

Some of the key signs of liver disease in cats can include:

• Reduced appetite 
• Unusual behaviour 
• Depressed 
• Vomiting & Diarrhoea 
• Weight loss 
• Increased thirst 
• Jaundice (yellow colour to gums and whites of eyes) 
• Abdominal swelling 

If your cat displays any of these signs, make an appointment to see your veterinary surgeon.

When liver inflammation (also called hepatitis) is left untreated, it can cause liver cells to be replaced by scar tissue. In cases where the cause of an animal's liver damage is eliminated or reduced, the liver has the potential to regenerate and repair itself slowly.

Feeding your cat the correct nutrition can help reduce the amount of toxins produced by the body, lessening the liver's workload. This can help improve the liver's efficiency and help it recover.

When feeding a cat with liver failure, make sure the food you choose is:

• Highly palatable and energy-dense—Cats with liver failure often have reduced appetite, so ensuring their food is appealing and provides all the necessary nutrients is essential in aiding their recovery.
• Lower in Protein but high quality—This will help avoid excess waste while the food is broken down.
• High in fibre—The energy source from the food should be obtained from a controlled provision of fat and carbohydrates, as well as fibre, to manage blood sugar levels and prevent fat buildup in the liver.

These are the key things to look for when choosing food for a cat with liver failure, or read on for recommendations

The recommended diet for a cat with liver disease is a prescription cat food that is specifically formulated to help manage their condition. Many brands offer food for cats with liver disease, and your vet can help you find the best food for your cat, but some popular options include: 

The Hill's™ PD™ I/d Liver Care for cats is specifically developed to support your cat's liver health. It contains controlled amounts of highly digestible protein and L-carnitine to help support normal fat-to-energy conversion in the liver.

This diet is formulated to help protect vital liver function by reducing the liver's workload, allowing the liver tissue time to regenerate while avoiding nutrient deficiencies commonly related to liver issues.

The PURINA® PRO PLAN® VD Hepatic® cat food is a complete food for cats formulated to support liver function in cases of chronic liver insufficiency. It's made with adapted levels of protein to reduce the accumulation of toxins in the liver, helping to ease its workload.

Made with highly digestible ingredients, this food also contains added prebiotics to maintain their gut microbiota as well as low copper levels to reduce hepatic accumulation.

The ROYAL CANIN® Hepatic cat food is a tailor-made diet formulated to support the nutritional needs of adult cats with liver problems. It contains specifically adapted levels of high-quality proteins and a low copper content to minimise copper accumulation in the liver and help support liver function.

This diet has a high energy content to help reduce the amount your cat eats to lower their intestinal load while providing all the essential nutrients they needs to maintain muscle mass.  

In addition to providing a complete diet for your cat, you can introduce cat liver supplements specially formulated with ingredients that help promote liver function. However, you should always consult with your vet before introducing supplements to ensure they are suitable for your cat, depending on the severity of their condition.

Hepatosyl® Plus is a nutritional supplement formulated to support liver function and is suitable for long-term liver support in cats. It contains Silybin, the most active isomer of Milk Thistle, which acts as an antioxidant.

The Hepatosyl® Plus Liver Support Supplement also contains a unique combination of Vitamin E, Vitamin K and Magnesium. This supplement can be given whole or by opening the capsule and mixing it with your cat's meal.

SAMYLIN® is a `next-generation' nutraceutical for maintaining a healthy liver. It contains four key ingredients (S-adenosyl-L-methionine, Silybin, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C) to help maintain natural antioxidant levels, which in turn helps with secondary changes in hepatic function.

SAMYLIN® Liver Health Support is available in various dosages and can be mixed in with food for easy administration.

Protexin® Denamarin® Liver Support is a supplement formulated to improve liver function and aid the repair of liver tissue from the effects of all toxins. It contains a stabilised form of the SS-SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) isomer and silybin complexed with phosphatidylcholine to provide the boost your cat's liver needs to remain functional.

The Protexin® Denamarin® for cats is best administered on an empty stomach and is available in various dosages depending on your cat's needs.

Managing liver failure in cats can be a challenge, but making the necessary changes to your cat's diet and lifestyle, along with regular consultations with your vet, can help ease your cat's symptoms. We hope our recommendations help you choose the best food for your cat but remember to always speak to your vet before changing your cat's diet or introducing supplements. Browse our complete range of cat liver care below.

This post was written by Hannah Clark and Reviewed by Lizzie Youens.

This post is an opinion and should only be used as a guide. You should thoroughly discuss any change to your pet’s care or lifestyle with your vet before starting any program or treatment.