Do cats with kidney disease eat more?
Commercial diets for cats with CKD are developed to prioritize these key goals. When compared with normal maintenance adult cat food, a kidney support diet contains less protein, sodium, and phosphorus, and increased omega-3 fatty acids.
What should cats with kidney disease avoid?
High salt (sodium) diets may increase blood pressure and may worsen kidney damage, so diets designed for pets with kidney disease are low in sodium. You should also avoid feeding high salt treats such as cheese, bread, deli meat, and many commercial dog and cat treats.
What causes acute kidney disease in a cat?
This usually occurs in situations such as kidney injury, urethral obstruction (blocked cats), infectious disease, or toxin ingestion. This can also happen in cats that have congenital kidney abnormalities. Acute kidney disease is especially dangerous, as cats will experience sudden and severe symptoms.
Can you feed a cat with kidney problems?
Cats with kidney problems like chronic kidney disease need to maintain a special diet to stay healthy and manage their symptoms. You may struggle with feeding a cat who has kidney problems, as you do not want its condition to get worse. Start by selecting food that will help your cat’s kidneys improve and adjusting your cat’s diet.
When to say goodbye to a cat with kidney disease?
Modern treatments slow the deterioration of kidney disease and keep the cat well for longer, but there is a time when the kidneys shut down and quality of life becomes an issue. This is when truly caring for your cat may mean recognizing it’s time to say goodbye.
How can you tell if your cat has kidney disease?
The only accurate way to diagnose kidney disease in cats is through diagnostic testing. Your veterinarian will often perform diagnostic blood work and urine analysis testing. By reviewing the levels of their kidney enzymes and the components of their urine, they can come to an adequate diagnosis.
What kind of kidney disease does my cat have?
My 10-year-old cat was just diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, and I was told she needs to eat special food. What does this mean for her? Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the most common kidney-based disease in cats.
Cats with kidney problems like chronic kidney disease need to maintain a special diet to stay healthy and manage their symptoms. You may struggle with feeding a cat who has kidney problems, as you do not want its condition to get worse. Start by selecting food that will help your cat’s kidneys improve and adjusting your cat’s diet.
Can a cat with CKD not eat or drink?
Not eating is one of the most common symptoms in CKD cats, and appetite can come and go, so don’t fear the worst just because you see this symptom. For the vast majority of CKD cats, food is essential and part of the treatment plan, and many people are amazed when they see how much better their cat looks and feels once s/he has taken in some food.
Why does my cat drink a lot of water?
Certain factors like kidney stones, urinary tract infections, or hereditary conditions could make kidney disease more likely. Encouraging your cat to drink more water can help with kidney health As cats age, the likelihood of developing kidney disease increases.