Prevention is better than cure | How to prevent kidney failure in cats

Chronic renal failure is a significant risk factor for cats' health. Symptoms of renal failure are often subtle at first, as cats can still effectively process toxins and waste even with only 25% kidney function. Furthermore, cats are naturally quiet and patient, so owners often fail to detect the problem immediately. Therefore, it's often only when noticeable symptoms, such as weight loss and frequent vomiting, appear that we realize a cat has developed chronic renal failure.

Table of contents

🐈Symptoms of chronic renal failure in cats

🐈Diagnosis and causes of chronic renal failure in cats

🐈Prevention is better than cure

🐈 PETTINGTON and ROYAL CANIN are now launching the "Kidney Care Journey for Cats"

Symptoms of chronic renal failure in cats

The kidneys play a critical role in a cat's health, including maintaining water and electrolyte balance, removing waste from the blood and excreting it, and producing important hormones. The first signs of kidney problems in cats are often pronounced thirst and frequent urination, caused by the damaged kidneys' inability to properly concentrate urine. As the condition worsens, cats may experience weight loss, hair loss, and loss of appetite. As toxins accumulate in the body, cats may experience vomiting, mouth sores, weakness, and lethargy, along with a toxic odor known as "uremic."

Diagnosis and Causes of Chronic Renal Failure in Cats

The kidneys are made up of many tiny structural units (nephrons). Kidney function doesn't begin to deteriorate until most of the nephrons are damaged, so symptoms can be difficult to identify in the early stages of kidney problems. Symptoms typically don't appear until two-thirds of the nephrons have stopped functioning. This makes it difficult to pinpoint the initial cause of the disease.

Kidney disease often occurs in older cats, but it is not directly related to the aging process itself.

While it's impossible to completely eliminate the possibility of kidney disease in your cat, recognizing the symptoms early is crucial for early diagnosis and management. The following are some of the known causes of severe kidney damage:

  • Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
     Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a hereditary disease characterized by the development of proliferative cysts within the kidneys, often accompanied by hypertension and decreased renal function. It is common in Persian cats and related breeds. Ultrasound examinations can reveal the fluid-filled cysts that form within the kidneys. These cysts can compress the kidneys, eventually leading to kidney tissue necrosis and chronic renal failure.
  • Nephritis <br>Inflammation of the nephron may be caused by a variety of reasons, and long-term inflammation can lead to chronic kidney disease.
  • Kidney tumor
  • Bacterial infection
  • toxin

Prevention is better than cure

If a cat enjoys drinking water, its kidney function can usually be maintained for a longer period of time. However, if a cat does not like to drink water, or the water provided by the owner is insufficient or unclean, this will lead to a decrease in the cat's water intake and may accelerate the development of kidney disease.

Improper feeding is also a potential factor. Many owners mistakenly believe that a high-nutrient diet is good for their cats, and blindly pursue foods that are high in protein or certain ions. These foods increase the burden on the kidneys and are unable to metabolize them, which may eventually lead to kidney failure. Although we cannot completely prevent cats from developing kidney disease, there are some measures that can reduce the risk:

  • Maintain proper hydration : Ensure there is ample, clean drinking water. For cats that don't like to drink water, you can increase their water intake by feeding them wet food. Proper hydration helps support kidney function and maintain overall health.
  • Eat a balanced diet : Don't blindly pursue a high-protein diet. Recent research shows that protein quality is more important than quantity. High-quality protein sources provide the essential amino acids needed to maintain muscle mass and overall health, while also reducing the workload on the kidneys.
  • Maintain an ideal weight : Avoid overweight cats. Obesity increases the risk of diabetes, which can lead to kidney failure.
  • Regular health checkups : Taking your cat for regular health checkups, especially in older cats, can help identify health problems such as chronic renal failure early on. Modern testing technology is advanced enough to detect changes in trace waste products in the blood. It's also important to establish baseline values for various test indicators when your cat is young and healthy.

If your cat shows any of the following signs of kidney failure, we recommend making an appointment with a veterinarian as soon as possible:

  • Hair loss
  • Weight loss
  • Increased urine output
  • decreased appetite
  • Lethargy

Chronic renal failure is a long-term and irreversible threat to cats' health, but the risk can be effectively reduced through regular checkups, proper diet management, and adequate water intake. As cat owners, we need to pay attention to our cats' health and detect and treat potential problems early to ensure they can live a healthy and happy life!