Cats cannot survive without their kidneys. Already have a myVCA account? If your cat is having difficulty eating, warm up its food to around 80 degrees Fahrenheit to make it more enticing. Additionally, for all stages of kidney disease, fresh water should always be available. It is worthwhile to keep trying, but, at the same time, the cat should be fed plenty of the non-kidney diet food(s) it likes. Eating chocolate can cause abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and death. Consomm contains too much sodium. However, if your cat is living with, Tuna is a decent food option for cats with kidney disease if served in moderation. ", Columbia Animal Hospital Newsletter: "Paws & Claws. The toxic agent in chocolate is theobromine. Try to get your cat mostly wet food made with proteins like rabbit or chicken. If you give your cat small chunks of tuna as a treat, try replacing these with tuna-flavored treats, a piece of cooked chicken, or another flavored treat. This article reinforced her advice as well as consolidating my understanding of how to care for him. You can also consult with your vet for guidance and advice. 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. Her work also appears in Care.com, What to Expect, and Fit Pregnancy, where she writes about pets, pregnancy, and family life. Kitties are perfectly capable of starving ourselves to death if the food doesnt appeal to us. 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. If your cat has medical problems or is on a special diet, ask your veterinarian before feeding tuna to . Phosphorus binders may be prescribed to treat high phosphorus levels. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using products based on this content. Frequent consumption of tuna may also lead to mercury poisoning explains Cailin Heinze, a veterinary nutritionist at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Your vet can show your human how to do this at home. Many cats do not like canned food and will eat better when fed some dry food or exclusively dry food. With that said, cats can eat tuna but only in moderation. Amyloidosis, seen primarily in Persians and Abyssians, is an inherited condition that causes abnormal protein deposits that lead to kidney damage. Diseased kidneys are not as effective at excreting waste products from the body through the urine. It isnt easy to say no to a cat when its begging for its favorite fish-based food. It's important to be aware of your potassium because your kidneys can't filter it. Other cats may become aggressive if they dont get their tuna fix. A cat in any stage with an increase in either UPC or high blood pressure will most likely be treated with medication. If tuna is part of your cat's meal plan and you notice them acting out of sorts, consider taking them into your veterinarian for a wellness visit it's always a good idea to get a baseline reading to ensure nothing serious is going on. It is unsuitable for cats with kidney disease. Sodium. Is Canned Tuna Fish Good For Dogs. 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. Cookie Consent Tool. Allergies are hard to diagnose if a cat eats a mix of foods. If you keep feeding them tuna, your cat may be at an elevated risk for mercury toxicity. Ask your vet about Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline Cat Treats and Vetri-Science Renal Essentials Feline Bite-Sized Cat Chews. In addition to tea and coffee -- including beans and grounds -- caffeine can be found in cocoa, chocolate, colas, and stimulant drinks such as Red Bull. There are three pet food lines that have products that are very effective for CKD management: Hills Prescription Diet is the best, and Purina Veterinary Diets and Royal Canin are decent alternatives. Read about 5 of the worst toxic food offenders that can kill your cat - and how much it takes to hurt them. Stay informed! Usually, the higher the number, the more concentrated the urine and the greater the ability of the kidneys to conserve water. Some forms of tuna contain the enzyme thiaminase, which destroys thiamine (vitamin B1). 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. Remember the saying, "Honest as a cat when the meat's out of reach." Repeated vomiting and hyperactivity are early signs. However, we now know that cats with kidney disease are in pain, not only from their kidney disease, but also from arthritis. My. To ensure your feline friend is getting the balanced nutrition they need without extra calories or toxic metals, choose a healthy cat food that uses tuna in a way that still meets their nutritional needs and satisfies their taste buds. That doesnt mean I have the body of a 20-month-old. Christine O'Brien is a writer, mom, and long-time cat parent whose two Russian Blues rule the house. Cats in stages I and II may often be monitored for further progression of signs, and some may be given a prescription diet specifically geared to help the kidneys by limiting the amount of work they have to do. Its Ok To Give Cats Tuna As A Treat. Win a Tomlyn Cat Wellness Pack Sweepstakes: OFFICIAL RULES. Take a bowl and mix together 1/2 cup of peanut butter, 1/2 cup of rolled oats, and 1 egg. Your veterinarian will most likely recommend additional diagnostic testing, including: A urine protein to creatinine (UPC) ratio to quantify how much protein is being lost in the urine. Approved. Although most cats won't eat it on their own, they can be coaxed to eat it by owners and others who think they are giving the cat a treat. The recommended phosphorus range on a dry matter basis for cats with CKD is 0.3-0.6%. (Ask) Then, sadly, it might be time for your mom to read The Feline Quality of Life Scale Helps You Determine If Its Time to Say Goodbye to Your Cat.. Due to technological advancements, the most beneficial component of tuna (docosahexaenoic acid) can now be found in other foods. Tuna is a type of fish that is high in mercury and other toxins that can be harmful to a cat's health. Polycystic kidney disease is another inherited condition seen in Persians. All rights reserved. Because of the severity of signs often seen in cats in stages III and IV and the amount of care and effort required to support these cats, some may be humanely euthanized. Mom needs to check the label to make sure its safe for you to eat. One of the most important treatment strategies is to feed a food or foods that are specifically formulated for cats with CKD. I always urge pet parents to ask their veterinarian for nutritional information for their pet. Limiting dietary phosphorus in cats with CKD appears to help delay the progression of CKD, although the precise mechanism is unknown. . A kidney support diet for cats with CKD will contain the following key components on a dry matter basis: Your veterinarian will help you choose an appropriate formulation for your cat. The second is rare problem in which a protein in raw egg whites, called avidin, could interfere with the absorption of the B vitamin biotin. A steady diet of dog food can cause your cat to be severely malnourished. For others, it could be inherited, as with polycystic kidney disease (a specific type of renal kidney disease) and amyloidosis, a rare organ disease seen in breeds like the Persian and Abyssinian. Cats diagnosed early on with kidney disease will benefit from nutritional management and more frequent veterinary attention which may include more frequent checkups and blood work. ~ 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. Stick to carnivore-friendly foods like cooked chicken breast or oily fish like tuna and mackerel. Sometimes, all that is needed in the beginning is to switch to a high-quality senior diet. Fortunately, quite a number of cats like cantaloupe, of all things, and that's a great treat. Cats diagnosed with kidney disease are often prescribed a kidney-friendly diet which may include feeding your cat canned, wet foods that contain additional water. Your veterinarian is your best resource for determining the best nutritional choice for your cat as CKD progresses. We are all guilty of overfeeding our cats or giving them too many treats. When you think about kidney disease in cats, pain control is likely not the first thing that comes to mind. And, that's exactly what it would do in your cat's stomach if your cat ate it. Grapes or raisins, since they can cause kidney damage even in healthy cats. Omega-3 and Kidney Disease Supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids may benefit dogs and cats with chronic kidney disease by reducing protein loss in the urine (proteinuria), reducing hypertension at the level of the kidney, and decreasing inflammatory changes within renal tissues. Due to water pollution, all fish and shellfish contain some mercury. Nonetheless, one main, Adding other kidney-friendly foods into their diet can bring the additional flavor. And a cat can choke on a bone. Nevertheless, if you suspect you are feeding your cat too much tuna, you should reduce the amount. If your cat has low potassium levels due to kidney issues, your vet may suggest a potassium supplement for your cat. Even giving canned tuna as a treat can lead to health issues, especially if it is given in large amounts or frequently. When human foods are converted to kitty calories, it is easy to see that foods intended for humans have far too many calories for our feline companions. Commercially available kidney support diets tend to be quite palatable because it is so important for these cats to eat in a way that slows the progression of their CKD. Nutrition plays an important role in managing CKD in cats. It's also in some cold medicines and painkillers. The safest thing to do is always feed your cat canned food, especially when she has developed kidney problems. You can also put out flavored waters, like chicken or tuna water, for your cat to encourage it to drink. ~ When there is a normal cat or cats in the house with the cat with CKD it is fine to feed all the cats the kidney diet; it is high-quality maintenance food for normal cats. Cats with certain health issues, such as inflammatory bowel disease, should not eat tuna because it may cause flare-ups. ~ The most important thing nutritionally for a cat with CKD is that they consume a reasonable amount of calories from a reasonable quality food or foods. Feline kidney disease treatment often includes a diet consisting of highly digestible protein that meets or exceeds minimum standards, is restricted in phosphorus, and is high in omega-3 fatty acids. Heres how to handle a cat thats addicted to tuna: Introduce cat foods with other flavors. Low sodium is also important for the maintenance of your cats kidneys, especially if it has kidney issues. For most conditions listed above, I wouldnt classify kidney disease in of itself as painful. Eating a large quantity once or eating smaller amounts regularly can cause onion poisoning. Log in 24/7 to access your pets health care information. It is important to follow your veterinarians recommendations if she suggests starting annual bloodwork to check for signs of hidden feline kidney disease. Omega-3 fatty acids: 0.4 to 2.5 percent. Usually the condition is idiopathic, meaning there is no known cause. Early diagnosis and intervention are keys to maintaining quality of life. And, too much tuna can cause mercury poisoning. Many other items commonly found on kitchen shelves can harm your cat. Nutrition For Cats With Chronic Kidney Disease, Control the clinical signs associated with accumulating waste products in the blood, Minimize problems with fluid and mineral balance. So, can cats eat tuna? Understand how feeding your cat human snacks can be dangerous to your cat and lead to significant weight gain. Tuna may be bad for some cats. Is Tuna OK for cats with kidney disease? Add just a pinch of dried shaved bonito (tuna) flakes to give your boring meal a little zest. Tuna also provides the omega-3 essential fatty acids EPA and DHA, which can contribute to overall skin and coat health and may also help improve inflammatory conditions like allergies, heart disease, certain cancers, and kidney . Beer, liquor, wine, foods containing alcohol -- none of it is good for your cat. In fact, you may be surprised to learn some of the common foods your cats should never eat. Just 3 ounces (85 grams) of light tuna contains 10.71 mcg of mercury. The old belief was to restrict protein in cats with kidney disease, but now veterinarians know better. It also provides some moisture to a . Some causes of kidney disease may be preventable (such as toxicologic causes), but unfortunately, most causes are not. Here are some tips for identifying the subtle signs of pain in cats and talking with your veterinarian about making sure your cat is pain-free. Before it's baked, bread dough needs to rise. 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. Limiting exposure to other catswhile keeping your cat up to date on vaccines and monthly heartworm and flea controlis recommended. [1] Protein. If this is a problem in your cat, ask your veterinarian about a new drug called Semintra, which can help normalize blood pressure in cats that arent responding well to Amlodipine. Research source Since phosphorus content is related to protein content, it is impossible to achieve these lower levels of phosphorus without limiting protein content. Tuna is high in protein and low in carbohydrates and as tuna is a fish, it provides our cats with omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's) which are good for skin and coat health. ", University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine: "Killer Grapes and Other Concerns in Animal Poison Control. The Merck Veterinary Manual lists fish as a top food allergen for cats, noting that common signs of an allergic reaction include itching, hair loss, red or swollen skin and red bumps. The higher the proof, the worse the symptoms. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'm Richard, the lead writer for Senior Cat Wellness. If protein intake is too low however, CKD will start to break down muscle mass. Select Your Region (opens a modal dialog), 2021 Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. As used herein, denotes registered trademark status in the U.S. only; registration status in other geographies may be different. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d7\/Feed-a-Cat-with-Kidney-Problems-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Feed-a-Cat-with-Kidney-Problems-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d7\/Feed-a-Cat-with-Kidney-Problems-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid8731269-v4-728px-Feed-a-Cat-with-Kidney-Problems-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"