The Best Feline Diets for Bad Kidneys

Many cats develop kidney problems as they age. The first sign is usually increased thirst and urination. As toxins begin to build up, symptoms such as decreased appetite, foul breath, mouth sores and vomiting start to appear. If your cat shows these symptoms, take her to the vet for proper diagnosis and treatment. You can alter your cat's diet to help compensate for his reduced kidney function, but check the diet with your vet first.

  1. Dietary Considerations

    • According to Dr. Derek Duval, a veterinarian in Philadelphia, PA, some commercial cat foods in the past were too low in potassium, and may have contributed to development of renal failure. High phosphate levels may also lead to renal failure; in an attempt to acidify cat food to prevent this, another problem resulted: The acidifying process caused increased loss of potassium through the urine. These factors are currently being studied to see the extent of their contribution to the development of renal failure.

    Tips

    • The standard treatment of giving cats with kidney problems a low-protein diet is now controversial. According to Dr. Duval, cats cannot utilize fats and carbohydrates to make protein, as dogs do. Further, many cats with renal problems have decreased appetites and tend to dislike the taste of low-protein food so much that they refuse to eat it, negating any value it might have.

      The best approaches may be either to feed your cat a good-quality renal wet food that contains the moisture and calories she needs, or to feed a homemade recipe like the one developed by Dr. Richard Pitcairn, DVM, which contains ground chicken, cooked white rice, eggs, oil and vitamins.

      If your cat is reluctant to eat, you can warm his food to make it more appealing, and you do want it to be appealing; keeping caloric intake up is essential. You can also flavor the food with low-sodium canned tuna fish, or make a broth by boiling a piece of chicken. Make sure your cat has plenty of fresh water; it's imperative that she avoid becoming dehydrated.

    Considerations

    • Kidney problems can eventually cause anemia, with symptoms of pale gums, lethargy and depression. If your cat displays these symptoms, have your vet check him. The vet may be able to give him injections to help this condition.

      The unfortunate truth is that if your cat lives long enough, she will probably suffer some degree of kidney problems. Seek timely vet care, including fluid therapy and drug therapy, to help keep your senior citizen comfortable.