Treatment for Kidney Failure in Cats

Kidney failure in cats causes them to lose their appetites and energy, but several treatments can help them perk up again. Cats with kidney failure have limited kidney function, which means they cannot process their food efficiently. As a result, toxins may build up in their bodies. Experts agree that kidney failure is incurable and tends to worsen over time, but treatment can enhance a cat's quality of life.

  1. Diet Management

    • Many veterinarians recommend diet management to treat kidney failure, according to the Feline Chronic Renal Failure Information Center. A diet low in salt and phosphorus eases the burden on the kidneys. The Feline CRF Information Center recommends high-quality protein to maximize nutrition and reduce waste. Veterinarian Jean Hofve, former editor of the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, emphasizes that it's most important that cats eat so that they do not lose weight. Any food is better than no food.

    Fluid Therapy

    • Kidney failure causes dehydration as the kidneys flush water out of cats' bodies without allowing them to absorb enough of it. This accounts for increased thirst that is often the first symptom of kidney disease. Hofve states that many veterinarians give cats fluid therapy to keep them hydrated---and hydration goes a long way in making cats feel better. Some veterinarians administer fluids through IVs, while others teach cat owners to administer fluids under the cat's skin at home.

    Dialysis

    • Some cats undergo dialysis, which involves attaching cats to artificial kidneys that filter waste for them. Cats with kidney transplants often do this while their new kidneys regain function. This treatment is expensive and requires cats to visit the clinic approximately three times a week. Cats sit for three to five hours as they are hooked up to a dialysis machine. Veterinarian Wendy Brooks, owner of the Mar Vista Animal Medical Center in Los Angeles, warns that dialysis sometimes causes complications, including blood clots, a greater need for nutrition, and carnitine and taurine deficiencies.