Milly Gaines
Kidney disease is a common problem in middle-aged and older cats, and it can be caused by various factors, including infection, toxins, and trauma. While there is no cure for kidney damage, early detection is crucial, and different treatments can help slow the disease's progression. Diet plays a significant role in managing kidney disease in cats, and specific dietary changes can help improve your cat's quality of life. These changes may include switching to canned or wet food, reducing dietary protein and phosphorus, and increasing water intake. Your veterinarian will help determine the best course of treatment for your cat's kidney infection, including any necessary dietary adjustments.
Diet changes to help with kidney infections in cats
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dietary supplements | Prescribed to help with hypokalemia (low potassium) |
| Phosphorus binders | Treat high phosphorus levels |
| Anti-nausea medication | Help with nausea, anti-emetic (anti-vomiting) |
| Appetite-stimulating medications | Help with poor appetite |
| Fluids | Given either intravenously or underneath the skin to help with dehydration |
| Medication to lower blood pressure | Prescribed if the cat has hypertension |
| Antibiotics | Used to treat kidney infections |
| Canned, wet foods | Recommended to help with hydration |
| Therapeutic diet | Specifically geared to help the kidneys by limiting the amount of work they have to do |
| Homemade diet | Consult with an experienced veterinary nutritionist to ensure your cat receives the proper nutrition |
| Food temperature | Most cats prefer food served at body temperature |
| Food flavouring | Flavour the food with low-sodium chicken broth or canned tuna fish |
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What You'll Learn
Canned food and water intake
Canned food is often recommended by veterinarians for cats with kidney infections. This is because canned food is high in moisture, which helps improve water intake and keep your cat hydrated. It is important to encourage your cat to drink water and stay hydrated, as kidney infections can lead to kidney failure if left untreated.
There are several canned food options available that are specifically designed for cats with kidney issues. These include the Royal Canin Veterinary Diet kidney support range, Eukanuba Multi-Stage Renal Diet, and Hill's Prescription Diets. These diets typically contain lower amounts of high-quality protein and low phosphorus levels. Phosphorus binders may also be prescribed to treat high phosphorus levels.
It is important to introduce your cat to new foods gradually. You may need to mix your cat's current diet with the new one at first. To make the food more palatable, you can warm it up to body temperature and add low-sodium chicken broth or canned tuna fish.
In addition to canned food, it is important to provide your cat with plenty of fresh water and to change their water several times a day. This will help ensure they are getting enough fluids and staying hydrated.
It is also worth noting that obesity can lead to diabetes, which can potentially cause kidney disease. Therefore, it is important to ensure your cat's diet is balanced and that they are getting enough exercise to maintain a healthy weight.
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Lower phosphorus and protein
A kidney-friendly diet for cats involves reducing the amount of phosphorus and protein in their food. Cats with kidney disease have compromised phosphorus excretion, leading to a build-up of phosphorus in the bloodstream, which accelerates kidney function decline. Lowering phosphorus levels in the diet helps to counteract this effect.
Phosphorus content in food is linked to protein content, so reducing the amount of protein in the diet is necessary to achieve lower phosphorus levels. However, reducing protein intake too much can result in insufficient essential amino acid intake, leading to a decline in body weight, body condition score, and muscle mass. Therefore, it is important to consult with a veterinarian to determine the appropriate level of protein restriction for your cat's specific needs.
A therapeutic kidney diet typically includes reduced or restricted phosphorus and moderately reduced protein. These diets are designed to limit the amount of work the kidneys have to do, as they are less effective at removing waste products from the body when compromised. By reducing the amount of waste that needs to be filtered, a lower-phosphorus and lower-protein diet can help preserve kidney function and slow the progression of kidney disease.
Some commercial kidney support foods are available for cats with early or advanced kidney disease. These foods are formulated with reduced phosphorus and protein levels and can help improve water intake, as they are often canned or gravy-style foods with higher moisture content. It is important to introduce new foods to cats gradually and to provide plenty of fresh, clean water to help them live their best life possible.
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Omega-3 fatty acids
Studies have shown that supplementing cats' diets with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids can help to manage inflammation markers and clinical indices of malnutrition-inflammation syndrome in cats with chronic kidney disease. Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids can help to reduce protein loss in the urine (proteinuria) and lower blood pressure, which is beneficial for cats with kidney disease.
Veterinary therapeutic diets used to manage kidney disease in cats often include omega-3 fatty acids. However, supplementation may still be needed to ensure optimal dosing. It is important to introduce any new diet or supplements to your cat gradually, and always seek advice from your veterinarian.
While omega-3 fatty acids can be beneficial for cats with kidney disease, it is crucial to remember that they are not a cure. Early detection of kidney disease is essential, and various treatments, including medication, diet, and hydration, are typically required to manage the condition and slow its progression.
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Low sodium
A kidney-friendly diet for cats typically involves reduced levels of phosphorus, sodium, and protein. While there is no scientific evidence that a low-sodium diet benefits cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD), it is believed that a mild restriction of sodium can reduce the workload on the kidneys, helping to preserve kidney function.
Sodium restriction can also help manage high blood pressure associated with CKD. Excessive sodium consumption can increase blood pressure and worsen kidney damage, so it is important to limit your cat's sodium intake. This means avoiding high-sodium treats like lunch meat and salty cheese.
To ensure your cat's diet is low in sodium, you can add low-sodium broth to their food to improve its flavour and palatability. You should also look for commercial therapeutic diets that are specifically formulated for cats with kidney disease. These diets are designed to be palatable and typically include reduced levels of sodium, phosphorus, and protein, as well as increased levels of potassium and omega-3 fatty acids.
It is important to introduce your cat to new foods gradually and to consult your veterinarian for advice on specific dietary recommendations and portion sizes. They may also recommend regular weigh-ins and periodic evaluations to monitor blood and urine parameters.
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Weight management
A therapeutic renal diet is often prescribed for cats with kidney issues, which typically involves lower amounts of high-quality protein and low phosphorus levels. Such a diet helps to lower the level of waste products in the bloodstream. These diets can be prepared at home or purchased from your veterinary practice.
Phosphate binders may also be prescribed to treat high phosphorus levels, as even with a low-phosphate diet, blood phosphorus levels can remain above normal in some cats. Reducing blood phosphorus can significantly improve your cat's well-being and slow the progression of kidney disease. Oral phosphate binders, such as aluminum hydroxide, help to lower the amount of phosphorus absorbed through the gut wall.
In addition, it is important to ensure your cat stays hydrated. Canned, wet foods that contain additional water can be recommended by your vet. Subcutaneous (SQ) fluids may also be necessary in the later stages of kidney disease when cats cannot drink enough to maintain healthy hydration.
Finally, it is worth noting that early diagnosis and intervention are vital to managing kidney disease and helping to maintain your cat's comfort and well-being. If kidney disease is caught early, your cat can benefit from nutritional management and more frequent veterinary attention, which may include regular check-ups and blood work.
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Frequently asked questions
The signs of a kidney infection in cats include bad breath, nausea, vomiting, absence of appetite, mouth ulcers, and constant crying or collapsing due to kidney pain.
Cats with kidney infections should be put on a diet that is low in phosphorus and protein and enriched with vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. Canned pet food is recommended as it is high in moisture and helps improve water intake. It is also important to limit your cat's exposure to toxins, especially lilies, which are extremely toxic to kidneys.
Some commercial therapeutic diets for cats with kidney infections include Royal Canin Veterinary Diet kidney support range, Eukanuba Multi-Stage Renal Diet, and Hill's Prescription Diets.
