As with humans, cats develop age-related disorders. They can also suffer from health problems, particularly in the kidneys and joints. For many owners, managing this phase of their pet's life is an emotional ordeal. They are often faced with uncertainty as to the best way to alleviate their pet's suffering. 

At Virbac, we have always been committed to caring for aging pets, to maintain their quality of life and well-being for as long as possible. Today, we are continuing this commitment by providing veterinarians and owners, for the first time, with a gradual nutritional solution for the prevention and combined management of two major pathologies in aging cats: chronic kidney disease and osteoarthritis.

We estimate that around 60% of senior cats suffer from these two diseases concomitantly¹, but they are often under-diagnosed, particularly feline osteoarthritis. These two chronic diseases require comprehensive monitoring and management, including a suitable diet. However, most of the diets currently available can only treat one of the two diseases. Our VETERINARY HPM^® Kidney & Joint program now offers veterinarians and owners combined management, so they no longer have to choose between feline osteoarthritis and chronic kidney disease. This program also ensures gradual management of chronic kidney disease, which evolves in stages.

Our VETERINARY HPM^® Kidney & Joint program comprises five products that take into account the cat's needs according to the stage of chronic kidney disease. It combines dry and wet foods to ensure hydration and optimal food intake in cats with sometimes difficult appetites: 

Stage 1: Early KJ

• 1 dry food in 1.5kg and 3kg bags
• 1 wet food (bite-sized pieces in sauce) in 85g single pouches, sold in boxes of 12 pouches.

Step 2: KJ - This food can also be used in step 3

• 1 dry food in 1.5kg and 3kg bags
• 1 wet feed (foam) in 85g unit trays, sold in boxes of 12 trays.

Stage 3: Advanced KJ

• 1 dry feed in 1.5kg, 3kg and 400g bags².

VETERINARY HPM^® Kidney & Joint is based on 4 pillars: the combined management of chronic kidney disease and feline osteoarthritis, the gradual management of chronic kidney disease, the combination of dry and wet products and high palatability.

Our VETERINARY HPM^® Kidney & Joint products contain a suitable and sufficient level of protein to maintain the animal's body condition and manage kidney health, a high level of omega 3 to support kidney mobility and filtration, and a low level of phosphorus to preserve them. All our VETERINARY HPM^® Kidney & Joint products are formulated by veterinarians and made with high-quality ingredients, no artificial flavors and a majority of animal proteins.

At Virbac, we know that the veterinarian is the best source of advice on animal nutrition. They play an essential role in raising owners' awareness of the consequences of their pet's aging, and are also in the best position to help them make the necessary dietary changes following a diagnosis. With the launch of VETERINARY HPM^® Kidney & Joint, we aim to support veterinary care teams in this mission with their customers, raising awareness of the importance of an annual senior health check-up and the diagnosis of feline chronic kidney disease and osteoarthritis, and thus offering a tailor-made nutritional solution.

^{1 Marino CL, Lascelles BDX, Vaden SL, et al. Prevalence and classification of chronic kidney disease in cats randomly selected from four age groups and in cats recruited for degenerative joint disease studies. J Feline Med Surg 2014; 16: 465–472. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X13511446 / Lascelles, B. D., Henry, J. B., 3rd, Brown, J., Robertson, I., Sumrell, A. T., Simpson, W., Wheeler, S., Hansen, B. D., Zamprogno, H., Freire, M., & Pease, A. (2010). Cross-sectional study of the prevalence of radiographic degenerative joint disease in domesticated cats. Veterinary surgery : VS, 39(5), 535–544. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950X.2010.00708.x} 

^{2 The 400g bag allows owners to make a smoother transition with their pets, and guarantees optimal freshness of the food once the packet has been opened.}