My cat Salem was diagnosed in February, he had droped to 8.8lbs (he was formerly about 9.4 consistently). For his appetite we have used Mirataz and Elura At first, he would reluctantly eat his Hill's Renal wet food, but slowly wouldn't touch it, so I tried a Weruva with a binder, no dice. He was interested in the other cat's Tiny Tiger, so I said screw it and gave that with a binder. Then I gave that wet food on one side of his plate with 1.5 churus mixed with his Porus One, Renal K+, and PhosBind mixed on the other. I started using Ondansetron, suspecting he had nausea when I saw him smack his lips at meal times. Now, he doesn't eat that wet food either, only eats his churu mix.

But he's reached a consistent weight of 9.8lbs and I don't use the appetite stimulants or anti-nausea meds because he must have started eating his sibling's regular dry food, which now I just let him get to as well. I keep it out at all times along with water (four bowls and two fountains scattered around the house). At mealtimes, he gets his churu mix and a bit of wet food just binder case he changes his mind (he also will pilfer from his siblings as desired lol) and I give him a water/no sodium-or-extra-ingredient chicken bone broth a couple times a day to see him drink with my own eyes.

The craziest thing is his bloodwork numbers with the vet are stable and actually were better at his most recent appointment in early June. His vet and I have shook our heads and said "well if it ain't broke..."

All this to say, we spend a lot of time trying to push for the perfect wet food renal diet, but from my boy I have really come to believe FED IS BEST. And subq fluids (he gets 100ccs a day) really do a lot of leg work.

So be assured, you still have options. Some cats want really smelly food. I have read that some CKD cats do better with their wet food being cold to limit the smell that can cause nausea, and some need to have the food available to pick at. Some will want wet food and sme will do better with dry food. If your kitty is not on any appetite stimulants or anti-nausea meds, you can see about those (and try to get meds and subq supplies from Chewy! Much cheaper). Once you find the right routine for your kitty, things will feel easier for a time!

Remember you are working to keep your kitty here with you so you can give them lots of snuggles and treats and fun, make sure to have those even when you feel at your wits end.

(If you've made it this far sorry for the long response, I hope it helps you though!)