Kidney failure in cats, referred to as Chronic Renal Failure, CRF, is one of the most common causes of death in senior felines. According to Fab Cat, a feline advisory board, CRF is caused by kidney tumors, bacterial infections, toxin build-up and inherited conditions such as polycystic kidneys. However, CRF is a progressive disease that can be maintained through diet and natural healing.
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Diet
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Cats with CRF have difficulty excreting toxins from their body. According to Healthy Pet Journal, a holistic health resource for pets, diets low in phosphorus and low in sodium may be recommended for felines with kidney disease. In addition, the resource assert that a low phosphorus diet may help to slow the progression of kidney failure by reducing the amount of mineral deposits within the kidneys that need filtering from the system. Other recommendations include providing cats with high-quality protein, which will eliminate a significant amount of nitrogenous waste from the body. Dry food is not recommended for cats with CRF because it does not provide any additional hydration.
One of the most important aspects of maintaining your pet's disease is proper hydration. Because the kidneys are not functioning properly, the body may not be getting replenished as needed. Encourage your pet to drink as much as possible as well as making sure his diet is hydrating.
Natural Healing
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There are a number of herbs, flower essences and nutritional supplements that can be used to help alleviate discomfort and slow the disease progression. For example, Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for slowing the progression of kidney failure; Vitamin B and Vitamin C both offer nutritional supplementation necessary to restore the body and increase appetite. According to Holisticat, a holistic guide for feline owners, a majority of CRF cats have potassium deficiencies. The website recommends using potassium gluconate or potassium citrate as an additive into the pet's regular food.
Other natural medicines that can be used to maintain CRF include Stinging Nettle Seed, which works by reducing the amount of creatinine in the body. According to Holistic Cat, only the seed of the stinging nettle plant should be used. In addition, Slippery Elm Bark, made into a gruel or mash, can be used to treat nausea and other symptoms of CRF.
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