BLOG / Cat

Kidney Disease in Cats: What Should You Know?

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by Alexander Thompson
Jul 25, 2023
4 minute read
TABLE OF CONTENTS
  • What Is Chronic Kidney Disease?
  • What Are the Signs of CKD?
  • How to Diagnose CKD?
  • Are Cats with CKD Painful?
  • How to Prevent Kidney Failure in Cats?
  • Final Thoughts
Billi is a 14-year-old cat who can use pet buttons to since May 2020. Many people may wonder whether Billi truly comprehends the meaning of the buttons. To be frank, we are unsure! But we can confirm that she presses the button in the appropriate context most of the time and she thoroughly enjoys using them.
Billi has feline hyperesthesia (FHS), which is a poorly understood disease of cats that causes involuntary muscle spasms. Billi has a mild case. Recently, she had surgery to remove her subcutaneous ureteral bypass. Therefore, monitoring her water consumption is vital for her recovery. Below is an X-ray of Billi’s abdomen with the subcutaneous ureteral bypass. The blue circle is around her kidney because she has polycystic kidney disease.
X-ray of a pet cat
It’s common knowledge that cats are susceptible to kidney-related ailments. As pet caregivers, it’s our responsibility to keep a close eye on our furry friends’ health since they can’t vocalize their physical discomfort. Our focus today will be on this important topic: chronic kidney disease.

What Is Chronic Kidney Disease?

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is more commonly associated with senior cats aged ten and above. Known for its gradual development, this condition leads to a consistent but slow decline in the health of the affected cats. Cats, irrespective of gender and breed, are prone to acute kidney failure. When this happens, subjecting the affected cat to immediate emergency treatment is best.
Cats can only attain optimal health with fully-functional kidneys. Kidneys help to regulate blood pressure, optimize the production of essential hormones, regulate electrolytes, and ensure fluid balance. They also help the body expel wastes in the form of urine. All of these functions are impaired in cats suffering from CKD, causing wastes to accumulate in their bodies.
a vet holding a cat
It is essential to mention that CKD is not reversible or curable. However, if it is promptly detected and effectively managed, the affected cats can live a quality and relatively longer life. The ideal CKD treatment helps slow the disease’s progression, ensuring the cats can live for several years without discomfort.
Related: Is Your Cat Dehydrated? Here Is How to Find Out

What Are the Signs of CKD?

A wide range of symptoms are associated with cats suffering from kidney disease. The severity of these symptoms usually depends on the stage and the underlying cause of the disease. Here are some of the most common symptoms:

More frequent urination

A cat suffering from CKD tends to urinate more frequently. While it is no surprise to see cats urinate often, the increase in frequency is often an indication of the inability of kidneys to retain water. Affected cats may also urinate outside of the litter box.

Consuming excessive water

Cats with CKD lose fluids as a result of continuous urination. Therefore, they make up for this by consuming more water than regular. PAWAii pet water fountain can help you monitor the water intake of your beloved feline friends.
a cat drinking water from pawaii water fountain pro

Bacterial infections

Kidney disease lowers the immunity and the overall health of the bladder and kidneys, thus opening the door to bacterial infections. Bacteria grow excellently in the diluted urine from the impaired kidneys in cats suffering from CKD.

Other symptoms

You can find other signs like excessive weight loss and low or zero appetite in cats with kidney disease. Others include cloudy or bloody urine, diarrhea, and vomiting. The tongues and gums may also give way to mouth ulcers. General weakness, impaired vision, high blood pressure, and muscle wasting are additional symptoms you can detect in cats with kidney disease.
It is best to take your cat for immediate veterinary care once you detect any of these symptoms. Early detection and treatment are key to managing cat kidney disease effectively to ensure healthy and longer life.

How to Diagnose CKD?

Aside from spotting the above-mentioned symptoms, a more effective way of establishing chronic kidney disease in cats is to carry out diagnostic tests. These usually entail blood and urine tests that can detect increased levels of specific substances that confirm the impairment of kidney functionality in cats. These tests also provide helpful information on the severity of the disease, and vets can use this to determine the best treatment. Other conditions that may warrant blood tests in cats include hyperthyroidism, which is also a CKD-related disease.
a cat under examination
It is common for vets to check the blood pressure of affected cats, considering cats with CKD tend to present with dangerously high blood pressure. Ultrasound or X-ray scans may also be considered where it is necessary to check the shape and size of the kidneys. These imaging tests provide information regarding the complications or abnormalities related to the condition.

Are Cats with CKD Painful?

Cats with kidney disease do not experience pain. However, the condition may cause discomfort and feelings of malaise. Fortunately, effective management of symptoms will eliminate this discomfort. We recommend working closely with your vet to determine the best treatment, depending on the symptoms observed. For instance, if your cat is feeling nauseous or struggling to eat, your vet may offer recommendations on how to help your cat eat more.
Dehydration is a concern in cats with kidney disease. Therefore, you must provide such cats access to unlimited clean water for drinking. Ensure their water bowl is always full and have extra bowls positioned strategically in different areas of your home. You can also adopt a circulating water fountain with a running faucet to make drinking more appealing to your cats.
water intake report on pawaii app
It is important to note that cats with kidney disease can still have healthy and happy lives if they get proper and adequate care. While the exact time they have left depends on the severity of the disease, early detection and treatment after diagnosis can guarantee several years of healthy living.

How to Prevent Kidney Failure in Cats?

Ensuring optimal overall health is critical to preventing acute kidney disease in cats. Experts recommend taking your cats for regular checkups at least twice every year. The steps below can help you prevent chronic kidney disease and promote kidney health in your feline friends.
Tip 1: Provide your cats with unlimited fresh water - optimal hydration helps flush out toxins and wastes from the body.
Related: How Smart Can Your Pet Water Fountain Get?
pawaii water fountain pro
Tip 2:Always keep your cat’s litter box clean to prevent the accumulation of harmful substances in the kidney and encourage healthy urination.
Tip 3: Maintaining a healthy weight means your cat is at a lower risk of diabetes - a major cause of kidney failure.
Tip 4:Arrange for regular annual wellness checkups with your vet to keep track of your cat’s kidney health. This also ensures early detection of kidney diseases.

Final Thoughts

Excessive water consumption is a common sign of kidney disease and similar severe conditions like hyperthyroidism and diabetes. Therefore, it is of great significance to keep an eye on your cat’s water consumption. When you notice that, consult your veterinary immediately for professional care. While chronic kidney disease can be managed in cats, its success largely depends on early detection and treatment. Finally, even if your cat is diagnosed with CKD, it can still live a quality life for several years.
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