What Do I Feed My Cat With High Creatine Levels?

Creatine phosphate is a compound that maintains energy levels in muscles; the waste by-product of this compound is creatinine. Because elevated creatinine levels are a symptom of a much more serious condition, cats with elevated levels of creatinine are prescribed a special diet.
  1. Facts

    • Elevated creatinine levels in the blood of your cat are a sign of chronic renal failure (CRF). CRF is a common illness in older cats and is considered a leading cause of death for older cats.

    Management

    • CRF cannot be cured, but the disease can be managed with the goal of increasing the quality and length of life of your cat. A restricted diet is part of managing the disease.

    Features

    • Restricted diets are prescribed for cats with chronic renal failure.

      The prescribed diet consists of food low in protein, salt and phosphorous with an aim to reduce the waste that the kidneys need to remove from the body.

    Options

    • Specialized foods are available through various cat food manufacturers including Iams, Eukanuba and Purina. Many cats find this food unappetizing, and patience may be necessary to get your cat to eat her food.

    Considerations

    • Those in the veterinary community differ as to whether the prescribed diet is effective in managing CRF. In fact, some veterinarians believe that a low-protein diet leads to muscle deterioration.