Cat Health and Symptoms of Kidney Issues

According to Jean Hofve from Cats of Australia, kidney failure is common in older cats and is the most common cause of death for senior felines. It is difficult to catch kidney issues early in cats, as they cannot tell you they feel bad and they hide discomfort well. While there are some symptoms to watch for, most do not present until the kidney is functioning at around 25 percent. Kidney issues in cats can be managed with dialysis.

  1. Increased Thirst

    • The first symptom of kidney issues to present in cats is increased thirst. Your cat might feel the urge to drink more to help the kidneys flush the toxins out of his blood. If you notice your cat drinking a larger amount of water than usual, take him to the vet for a checkup.

    Increased Urination

    • An increase in the amount of urine your cat is releasing each day ties in with the symptom of increased thirst. If both these symptoms present together, it is important to get your cat checked out. Your vet will give your cat a blood test to check for kidney problems.

    High Blood Pressure

    • Feline renal failure can cause high blood pressure. While it is difficult to tell if your cat has high blood pressure without a vet check, there is a sign to watch for. Your cat's pupils could be constantly dilated, even when a bright light is shone at him, which could lead to permanent blindness. If you notice your cat's pupils are dilated, take her to the vet right away.

    Anemia

    • Anemia in cats can be caused by a lack of functional kidney tissue. A cat is likely to be anemic if his gums are pale rather than bright pink. Also watch for blood in the cat's waste, a yellow discoloration of the skin, weight loss, lethargy, vomiting, loss of appetite and general weakness. These are all signs of an anemic cat. If your cat shows any signs of anemia together with increased thirst and urination, it is possible the symptoms are being caused by kidney failure.

    Blood Toxins

    • Kidney failure can produce a build-up of blood toxins in cats. The kidneys' job is to filter toxins out of the bloodstream. The toxins then come out of the body through urination. When your cat's kidneys are not working properly, the toxins are not removed from the blood as they should be. Symptoms of toxins in the blood include dizziness, shortness of breath and bloating.

    Urinating Habits

    • If you notice your cat attempting to urinate but only managing to squeeze out a few drops, he might have kidney stones. Other symptoms of kidney stones include blood in the urine and/or pain when urinating.