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Kidney disease is a common problem in cats, affecting more than 1/3 of older cats 1,2. There are a number of causes that may affect different age groups and have different consequences. Ultimately though, chronic kidney disease (occurs over time) or acute kidney injury (occurs suddenly) will always have the same result—a sick kitty.
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- On This Page
- Signs of Kidney Disease in Cats
- How Can I Check My Cat For Kidney Disease?
- What Are The Four Stages of Kidney Failure in Cats?
- How to Manage Feline Chronic Kidney Disease
- Are There Home Remedies For Renal Failure in Cats?
- How Long Can Cats Live with Kidney Disease?
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Signs of kidney disease in catsHow can I check my cat for kidney disease?What are the four stages of kidney failure in cats?How to manage feline chronic kidney diseaseThere are some problems that mimic chronic kidney failure in cats, so the best thing you can do is take them to your vet if you notice any of the following symptoms: 1. Weight loss (also common with hyperthyroidism) and poor appetite (also seen with dental problems) 2. Dehydration (eyes sunken in, skin stays in place when you pull it up—also seen w...
In order to diagnose kidney failure, you will need to take your cat to your veterinarian for a physical exam and bloodwork. Bloodwork will tell you if your cat has anemia and how well or how poorly the kidneys are working. Another test (SDMA) will even tell you if there are any problems before there are many clinical signs. Your vet will probably d...
Stage 1
Cats may have no clinical signs but have a higher creatinine and a normal SDMA (this stands for symmetric dimethylarginine, a newer test to diagnose the severity of kidney disease). Less than 66% of your cat's kidney functions have been lost, and sometimes just improving the diet will allow your cat to maintain their weight and avoid progressing to the next stage for many years.
Stage 2
Cats have a mild increase in waste products in the blood, which means that the kidneys are not filtering well anymore. The creatinine and SDMA are both mildly elevated, and cats might start to show some clinical signs. About 65–75% of the kidney's functions have been lost.
Stage 3
There is more waste in the blood (based on the blood tests), so cats have more of the problems (listed below). The signs are mild early but become more severe as the cat reaches the next stage. About 75–90% of your cat's kidney functions have been lost.
Although there is no cure, there is a lot you can do at home to slow down the progression of the disease.
Homeopathic cures will not stop your cat's kidneys from getting worse, nor will they improve their quality of life. There have been over 1,800 studies on the benefits of homeopathic medicine for this condition, and a review of the several hundred that do not rely on "facts" from people who have wasted money on these cures prove that they do not wor...
Studies have shown that cats live about four years fewer than healthy pets without kidney disease (usually about two or three years after first being diagnosed). (4) It depends a lot on how early it is diagnosed and how aggressively you choose to test and follow dietary changes and other recommendations. If your cat is already at stage 4 by the tim...
Hall JA, Fritsch DA, Jewell DE, Burris PA, Gross KL. Cats with IRIS stage 1 and 2 chronic kidney disease maintain body weight and lean muscle mass when fed food having increased caloric density, an...Hall JA, Jewell DE, Ephraim E. Feeding cats with chronic kidney disease food supplemented with betaine and prebiotics increases total body mass and reduces uremic toxins. PLoS One. 2022 May 24;17(5...Kobayashi DL, Peterson ME, Graves TK, Lesser M, Nichols CE. Hypertension in cats with chronic renal failure or hyperthyroidism. J Vet Intern Med. 1990 Mar-Apr;4(2):58-62. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.ni...Boyd LM, Langston C, Thompson K, Zivin K, Imanishi M. Survival in cats with naturally occurring chronic kidney disease (2000-2002). J Vet Intern Med. 2008 Sep-Oct;22(5):1111-7. https://pubmed.ncbi....March 4, 2021 – Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most common, if not the most common, diseases of older cats. Although less frequently found in dogs, it can be a serious problem in this species, too. CKD in dogs and cats is a complicated problem and has been a major focus of veterinary research (especially in cats) for decades.
Oct 2, 2024 · Though experts have theories about what can lead to chronic kidney disease and kidney failure in cats, the exact causes for individual cats are not always understood. “We do know that chronic kidney disease is often associated with chronic health issues such as dental disease, which can be addressed and managed before their effects on the kidneys have become detrimental,” notes Dr. Shearhart.
- Wendy Rose Gould
Feb 24, 2024 · CKD can be congenital or present at birth. In many dogs and cats, the cause of CKD cannot be determined. Dogs and cats can develop CKD at any age, although it is more frequent in older populations. Cats over the age of 10 in particular are more at risk, with some statistics reporting a prevalence of 80% in geriatric cat populations.
Aug 23, 2024 · The most common form of kidney disease in cats is called chronic kidney disease, a slowly progressive condition with gradual loss of function of the kidneys over time. Regular kidney function screening on routine bloodwork and urine tests should be part of your cat's regular check-ups.
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Sep 28, 2023 · Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a prevalent condition in cats, particularly in older individuals. Understanding its causes, symptoms, and available treatments is crucial for cat owners. Regular veterinary check-ups and early detection play a vital role in managing the disease and ensuring the well-being of our feline companions.
