How to Get Your Cat With Kidney Failure to Eat

Chronic renal failure, also known as kidney failure, is common in senior cats. It can also occur in younger cats, but less frequently. Managing chronic renal failure in cats can prolong the cat's life and improve the quality of life. One of the most common difficulties pet guardians encounter when managing chronic renal failure in their felines is the cat's reluctance to eat. Weight loss and lack of appetite are primary complications for cats with kidney failure. There are steps you can take to help encourage your cat with kidney failure to eat.

Things You'll Need

  • Canned fish
  • Eggs
  • Meat-based baby food
  • Cooked chicken
  • Chicken broth
  • Flat serving dish
  • Raised pet feeder
  • Catnip
  • Spoon
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Instructions

    • 1

      Feed your cat whatever she will eat. Consult with your veterinarian first, but if your cat won't eat the therapeutic diet designed for her condition, feed her what she will eat. It is better for the cat to eat something than to starve while on a prescribed diet. According to Dr. Jean Hofve, a veterinarian writing for Little Big Cat, "Weight loss if your cat's worse enemy in this disease; so let the cat eat what she wants."

    • 2

      Drizzle the juice from canned fish over your cat's food. The strong odor of the canned fish will encourage many cats to eat. You might also put some chunks of the fish in the cat's food. You can also try offering or adding cooked eggs, meat-based baby foods, cooked chicken and chicken broth.

    • 3

      Provide several different types of food for your cat. It may be necessary to leave out a buffet for your cat, at least until she is again routinely eating.

    • 4

      Heat your cat's food in the microwave before you offer it to him. Heat releases the aromas of the food, and cats' appetites are stimulated by the smell of food.

    • 5

      Sprinkle catnip on your cat's food. For some cats, catnip will act as an appetite stimulant.

    • 6

      Serve your cat's food in flat dishes rather than bowls. Some cats do not like their whiskers touching the sides of the bowls, which may discourage an already finicky cat from eating.

    • 7

      Place food dishes in various locations around the house. While you cat may not eat in the kitchen, he may decide to eat in another room.

    • 8

      Serve your cat's food in a raised feeder. If your cat is elderly, eating from a dish on the floor may be uncomfortable, further discouraging the cat from eating.

    • 9

      Take the food to your cat. A cat that is weak is probably not going to come into the kitchen at his regular mealtime. Even a seemingly active cat with chronic renal failure may not seek out food; however, he may eat if your deliver the meal to where he is resting on a sunny windowsill.

    • 10

      Sit with your cat while he eats, if all else fails. Sometimes having company during meal times will encourage the cat to eat. It may also be helpful to place the food on a spoon or your fingers and allow the cat to lick it off.