Cat kidney disease drug "AIM" to be commercialized in 2026... 3 things owners should prepare now

Kidney disease is a formidable enemy for cats. That's why the news that AIM, a drug for feline kidney disease, aims to be put into practical use by 2026, became a big topic among cat owners.

If AIM treatment becomes affordable, feline longevity will no longer be a dream. That would be wonderful. But at the same time, there are many things we need to consider.

This time, with the practical application of AIM approaching, we have summarized the preparations cat owners should make.

First, understand the correct knowledge about AIM!

When cat owners hear about a "new drug," they tend to be delighted and think, "Kidney disease is no longer scary!" However, it's important to know that AIM is not a drug that regenerates the kidneys themselves or completely cures kidney disease.

AIM is a drug that is expected to slow the progression of kidney disease and improve survival rates. It is said that the earlier it is used when the kidneys are in good condition, the better the results can be expected.

Therefore, even when "AIM is put into practical use!", early detection and early treatment of kidney disease remain important. For this, it is essential to undergo regular check-ups and continue with "dietary management" and "creating an environment where they can easily drink water," which you are already practicing in your daily life.

As cat owners, we tend to get ahead of ourselves with joy, but actively seeking detailed information and knowledge about new drugs will help protect your beloved cat's health and your own peace of mind.

Actively collect information on care for very elderly cats

The care required for senior cats differs from that for very elderly cats. For example, a cat that could go to the toilet on its own during its senior years might need diapers or start having accidents during its very elderly years.

To accept and respond to such changes in your beloved cat, it is important to collect information on the care needed for very elderly cats.

There are few very elderly cats over 20 years old, and most specialized books sold in bookstores focus on care for senior cats. However, through the internet, you can access the daily lives and personal accounts of cat owners who live with very elderly cats.

Of course, the length of a cat's life also varies depending on its natural vitality, but as a cat writer who has interviewed various long-lived cats and their owners, I have often felt, "Ah, this cat is long-lived because they receive this kind of care."

Many owners who live with very elderly cats truly make an effort to provide meticulous care in their daily lives.

Knowing in advance about such owners' lifestyles and care routines increases the likelihood of smoothly handling things like countermeasures for night crying and accidents when your beloved cat becomes very elderly.

Perhaps in the future, as cats live longer, specialized books focusing on care for very elderly cats will emerge. Smart people! Please create such a specialized book as soon as possible.

Find a "guardian" to entrust your beloved cat to

In recent years, the number of elderly cat owners who are forced to part with their beloved cats due to institutionalization or hospitalization has been increasing. This problem will likely become more serious as cats live longer. That's why it's important to consider "how to protect your beloved cat after you're gone" while you are still healthy.

When I discussed the future with my husband, we talked about how to protect our beloved cat if something were to happen to me. The key is to consider various scenarios, not just what would happen if I died, but also short-term and long-term hospitalizations.

Let's simulate various cases to avoid "unexpected situations" as much as possible.

If you don't have family or relatives you can entrust your cat to, it's recommended to find several senior cat homes you'd like to entrust your cat to in advance and go for a consultation. However, there are currently very few senior cat homes available. If there isn't one nearby, relying on "lifetime care services" provided by animal welfare organizations or NPOs might be a good option.

For example, the "Nekosei Tasukeai System" (Cat Life Mutual Aid System) offered by Neko Republic, which is a fixed-donation type, is a system where people can support each other so that cats won't be in trouble if something happens to their owners. "Pet Guardianship Mutual Aid Tomonowa" also offers similar lifetime care services.

When you're healthy and young, it's easy to put off thinking about the future. However, as owners, even if we are young and healthy, we can still be affected by accidents or illnesses.

To ensure your beloved cat doesn't suffer in such cases, find people or systems you can rely on for emergencies as soon as possible.

Rejoicing at the birth of a new drug while also considering the near future and approaching the practical application of AIM—this might be the attitude expected of us cat owners from now on.

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