This article has been viewed 35,467 times. A cat water fountain provides you with fresh-tasting, aerated water and encourages you to drink it. If needed, adding water, tuna juice, or low sodium chicken broth may increase the flavor and acceptance. Just two teaspoons of whisky can cause a coma in a 5-pound cat, and one more teaspoon could kill it. 1. Have You Watched Our Healthy Kidney Videos Yet? Verily, most cat owners use tuna as a way of giving their pets medicine. If youre suffering from dehydration, subcutaneous fluids may temporarily relieve the pukes and increase your appetite. Remember Im not a vet, but I watch Animal Planet. Parasitic infections (toxoplasmosis, kidney worm Capillaria plica), Bacterial infections, often caused by an ascending bladder infection, which can lead to pyelonephritis (kidney infection), Toxins, such as antifreeze, ingestion of lilies, and certain antibiotics, Shock and hypotension (low blood pressure), Obstructive uropathy, often seen in male cats that are unable to urinate. In the wild, this instinct can protect them from predators or other cats that might be a threat. Dry: K/D Chicken 4 lb, 8.5 lb. Most experts will tell you that canned tuna is fine for your pet but it is also safe. If you dont like the kibble, then check out the canned version. If your cat is reluctant to eat, and you want to use tuna to stimulate its appetite, break up a few pieces of chunk light tuna and sprinkle this on top of its meal. While kidney disease can be a scary diagnosis, many dogs and cats can live comfortably for years with kidney disease if it is caught early enough and treated appropriately. No matter how cautious you are, it's possible your cat can find and swallow what it shouldn't. Waste products are normally filtered out of the blood by the kidneys and excreted in the urine, but cats with CKD will end up with an accumulation of these waste products in the bloodstream as the filtering process breaks down. Dehydration, high phosphorus levels, metabolic acidosis, fluid retention, and constipation may make you want to puke up an intestine. Take a bowl and mix together 1/2 cup of peanut butter, 1/2 cup of rolled oats, and 1 egg. When your senior cat was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), you may have felt worried, confused, and overwhelmed.. Getting a diagnosis of CKD is never easy. However, we now know that cats with kidney disease are in pain, not only from their kidney disease, but also from arthritis. ~ Ideally the pet would eat only kidney diet, but we have managed many cats with CKD that did very well when fed some kidney diet and some non-kidney diet. ~ Because the kidney diets from Hills, Purina, and Royal Canin are so highly digestible it is usually not necessary to convert gradually to the new food; however, sometimes a slow introduction helps a cat accept the new food. For tips from our Veterinary co-author on how to add supplements to your cat's diet, read on! Her work also appears in Care.com, What to Expect, and Fit Pregnancy, where she writes about pets, pregnancy, and family life. Unlike processed, tuna-flavored cat food, real tuna does not contain preservatives, coloring, fish meal, additives, or other synthetic chemicals that can damage cat's organs and digestive system. Because they're such picky eaters, we sometimes think cats know whats best for them when it's time to eat. But it takes far less to do its damage. Supports healthy immune system, digestion, lean muscle & beautiful fur. Items that contain high amounts include . Arthritis is really common in older cats, and grossly underreported in the pet feline population because cats hide their pain, and owners are unfamiliar with the signs of pain in cats. According to Taylor and Francis, these symptoms can be caused by a tuna-rich diet: These symptoms can be due to other factors besides overeating canned tuna. You might like dinner conversation. It is fine to feed an assortment of kidney diets, including foods from not just one, but two or all three of the companies. You may not have to switch to a therapeutic kidney diet (aka prescription cat food) just yet, however. While the other kitties in the house may think your kidney cuisine is positively delectable, you turn your nose up at it. Usually, the higher the number, the more concentrated the urine and the greater the ability of the kidneys to conserve water. Tuna in brine is unsuitable for cats with diabetes because it will cause dehydration. Kidney disease is one of the most common diseases seen in older domestic cats. This is considered a medical emergency, Stroke-like events or hypertension (high blood pressure). I'm experienced in all cat health-related matters, behavioral issues, grooming techniques, and general pet care. Get tips and exclusive deals. Congenital kidney dysplasia is a condition that leads to small, nonfunctional, or underdeveloped kidneys. Do Cats Understand Human Smiles And Facial Expressions? One consequence of CKD is a decreased ability of the kidneys to concentrate the urine. In addition, SDMA is much less affected by dehydration and protein loss than BUN and creatinine. Cats are carnivores and need meat. Tuna has many other health benefits, should it be part of a balanced diet and given . Just 3 ounces (85 grams) of light tuna contains 10.71 mcg of mercury. This makes it critical for you to provide your cat with an unlimited supply of fresh water. Im an old cat; I mean really old 24, to be exact. Radiographs or abdominal ultrasound to screen for kidney stones, infarcts (areas of dead tissue), and cysts. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the most common kidney-based disease in cats. Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Healthy Kidney Inc. and Robert Galarowicz, unless otherwise noted. Fortunately, veterinarians and researchers are hard at work to discover new ways to catch feline kidney disease earlier so they can better treat and manage the condition. Your veterinarian is your best resource for determining the best nutritional choice for your cat as CKD progresses. But does this mean that you should never feed your cat tinned tuna? We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Already have a myVCA account? Many cats can go on to have a decent quality of life for many months or years, depending on the specific diagnosis. One supplement we have that can drastically improve your cats kidney function and revitalize their kidneys is Kidney Restore For Cats & Dogs. MSNBC.com: "'People Foods' That Can Kill Your Pet. How to Maximize the Nutritional Benefits of Tuna. Go for cat food that is advertised as low sodium. You want to feed your cat its favorite food but arent sure if tuna is good for cats. This is made from smaller tuna fish, such as Skipjack and Tongol. It's important to be aware of your potassium because your kidneys can't filter it. Kidney disease is often diagnosed based on routine blood work and a urinalysis, looking specifically at such kidney markers as: Blood urea nitrogen (BUN): is a by-product of protein metabolism. That way, your cat will benefit from the high levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in tuna but will still be eating a nutritionally balanced meal. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. The simple answer is that cats are attracted to tuna. Even though we are advocates for a raw food diet for cats, raw tuna can be bad for cats. Cats with food allergies may also vomit and experience diarrhea, gas and a loss of appetite if they encounter an ingredient they're sensitive to. High-quality senior cat diets tend to contain omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, L-carnitine, highly bioavailable protein and balanced amino acids, all of which are important ingredients to support an aging body. Kitties are perfectly capable of starving ourselves to death if the food doesnt appeal to us. But a steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to malnutrition because it won't have all the nutrients a cat needs. Avoid fried or processed foods as well as dairy products, especially if your cat is lactose intolerant. It's also in some cold medicines and painkillers. About our Ads. The recommended range of protein on a dry matter basis for cats with CKD is 28-35%. Stick to carnivore-friendly foods like cooked chicken breast or oily fish like tuna and mackerel. In general, tuna is something that our cats can eat. If you keep feeding them tuna, your cat may be at an elevated risk for mercury toxicity. A cat with heart disease is fed a low sodium and high taurine diet. Some cats will seem to reject all attempts to be converted to kidney diet. Kidney issues tend to show up in older cats or cats who have other health issues like high blood pressure, a hereditary disease, or cancer. Baby food should only be used as a treat, since it lacks taurine and other essential nutrients. Anemia Due to Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats, Kidney Disease Caused by Multiple Cysts in Cats, Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats: Monitoring Nutrition is Essential. When enough damage has occurred (losing about two-thirds of kidney function), signs become apparent and regeneration will not occur, leading to chronic kidney disease. I always urge pet parents to ask their veterinarian for nutritional information for their pet. That's because alcohol has the same effect on a cat's liver and brain that it has on humans. It could lead to dehydration, high blood pressure, and urinary problems. Other brands are not worth considering, and it is not possible to duplicate the benefits of these CKD diets with a home-cooked diet. Creatinine (CREA): measures how well kidneys are filtering waste from blood. Instead, choose a complete, nutritionally balanced cat food that has tuna on the ingredients list. Due to technological advancements, the most beneficial component of tuna (docosahexaenoic acid) can now be found in other foods. Grapes and raisins have often been used as treats for pets. All rights reserved. Cats with kidney problems like chronic kidney disease need to maintain a special diet to stay healthy and manage their symptoms. Increasing water intake will also help your cat to stay hydrated. . Hopefully with the help of your mom and your vet, your appetite will ramp up and your waist will fill out. Low-sodium chicken broth and tuna juice would be fine, as are most vegetables, if they like them. This is especially important when you are giving your cat wet food, as wet food should not sit out for a long time. Once diagnosed, kidney disease is then classified into four stages based on the severity of clinical signs and laboratory values: Stage I: Clinical signs are usually not apparent, Stage III: Many clinical signs are noted and cats often appear to feel sick, Stage IV: A majority of clinical signs are noted, and cats often present in crisis. 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