There are three primary functions of the kidneys:
Manage blood pressure
Produce hormones and red blood cells
Remove waste from blood
Kidney disease for cats can be a result of a poor diet, genetics, bacterial infection, poisons and/or old age. This paper will provide nutritional guidelines in cases where age, diet or genetics generates chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a cat.
While chronic kidney disease cannot be reversed and progresses with time, a diet modified for cats with CKD can help in comfort and slow the progression of the disease (and symptoms).
The three primary nutritional elements that an owner of a feline diagnosed with CKD should monitor include water/moisture needs, phosphorous intake and protein balance.
First, water …show more content…
While again important during all life stages, once a cat is diagnosed with CKD, it is critically important to actively monitor the cat’s water intake. For cats that do not seem interested in water, first ensure it is clean and odorless. If it is, yet the cat is not sufficiently drinking, then you can entice your feline to intake more H20 by adding a flavor or possibly introduce him/her to an electronic water fountain.
Finally, should your cat still not intake sufficient water levels or should the disease be aggressive enough, a pet owner might consider subcutaneous fluid. For the cat that will tolerate the pinch of the needle, slight discomfort of the fluids and doesn’t mind sitting still, an IV can be extremely beneficial to coping with the disease.
The second critical nutritional consideration for cats with CKD is to minimize phosphorous intake in order to limit further risk harming already fragile kidneys. Dr. Mark Peterson DVM, Dip. ACVIM, of the Animal Endocrine Center published these guidelines for phosphate levels in a cat with CKD:
For cats with severe CKD, a prescription or homemade diet with a phosphate content that is < 100 mg per 100 kcal is ideal
In cats with mild or early kidney disease, a cat food with phosphate levels <250 mg of phosphate per 100 kcal can be used
Doctor Peterson also suggests that a fish based diet is high in phosphorous, and should therefore be
Manage blood pressure
Produce hormones and red blood cells
Remove waste from blood
Kidney disease for cats can be a result of a poor diet, genetics, bacterial infection, poisons and/or old age. This paper will provide nutritional guidelines in cases where age, diet or genetics generates chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a cat.
While chronic kidney disease cannot be reversed and progresses with time, a diet modified for cats with CKD can help in comfort and slow the progression of the disease (and symptoms).
The three primary nutritional elements that an owner of a feline diagnosed with CKD should monitor include water/moisture needs, phosphorous intake and protein balance.
First, water …show more content…
While again important during all life stages, once a cat is diagnosed with CKD, it is critically important to actively monitor the cat’s water intake. For cats that do not seem interested in water, first ensure it is clean and odorless. If it is, yet the cat is not sufficiently drinking, then you can entice your feline to intake more H20 by adding a flavor or possibly introduce him/her to an electronic water fountain.
Finally, should your cat still not intake sufficient water levels or should the disease be aggressive enough, a pet owner might consider subcutaneous fluid. For the cat that will tolerate the pinch of the needle, slight discomfort of the fluids and doesn’t mind sitting still, an IV can be extremely beneficial to coping with the disease.
The second critical nutritional consideration for cats with CKD is to minimize phosphorous intake in order to limit further risk harming already fragile kidneys. Dr. Mark Peterson DVM, Dip. ACVIM, of the Animal Endocrine Center published these guidelines for phosphate levels in a cat with CKD:
For cats with severe CKD, a prescription or homemade diet with a phosphate content that is < 100 mg per 100 kcal is ideal
In cats with mild or early kidney disease, a cat food with phosphate levels <250 mg of phosphate per 100 kcal can be used
Doctor Peterson also suggests that a fish based diet is high in phosphorous, and should therefore be