Explanation of kidney-friendly diets for cats and what kidney disease is

Kidney disease is one of the scary diseases that can be life-threatening for cats. However, no effective preventive measures or treatments have been found.

That's why we need to focus on your cat's diet.

It is known that properly managing your cat's daily diet can slow down the progression of kidney disease and reduce the risk of developing it.

This time, we will explain the relationship between cat kidney disease and diet.

What kind of disease is feline kidney disease?

There are two types of kidney disease in cats: "acute kidney injury (acute renal failure)" and "chronic kidney disease (chronic renal failure)".

Acute kidney injury (acute renal failure) is a disease that can be expected to recover with early treatment, while chronic kidney disease (chronic renal failure) is a disease in which kidney function gradually weakens and eventually ceases to function.

However, the cause of chronic kidney disease is not yet fully understood.

It is thought that because senior cats are prone to the disease, kidney function declines with age, making it impossible to excrete waste products accumulated in the blood.

Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease

There are almost no initial symptoms of chronic kidney disease. The following symptoms appear much later in the progression of chronic kidney disease. If your cat seems different than usual, you should have them examined by a veterinarian.

• Increased urination
• Drinks a lot of water
• Bad breath
• Stomatitis
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dull coat

Dietary Therapy for Kidney Disease

Once a kidney has been weakened by chronic kidney disease, it cannot return to its original healthy state. For this reason, it is also called an incurable disease.

The goal of treating kidney disease in cats is to slow its progression. In addition to intravenous drips and drug therapy, dietary therapy has also been shown to be effective.

What foods are good for a cat's kidneys?

When kidney function weakens, "salt" such as phosphorus and sodium cannot be excreted and accumulates in the body, causing polydipsia, polyuria, and high blood pressure.

Additionally, "protein" cannot be broken down properly, causing waste products to accumulate and worsen kidney function.

Dietary therapy prevents the accumulation of toxins and proteins that cannot be processed by the kidneys by reducing salt and avoiding high-protein foods to reduce the burden on the kidneys.

Feeding a prescription diet specifically for kidney disease

"Therapeutic diets" are foods that have adjusted nutrient amounts and ratios according to each disease.

Kidney disease therapeutic diets have lower protein and phosphorus levels than foods labeled as "complete and balanced," making them less burdensome on the kidneys.

Therapeutic diets are often prescribed by a veterinarian. Do not give a therapeutic diet without consulting your veterinarian.

Watch out for treats, too!

Treats such as jerky, dried sardines, and bonito flakes can contain high levels of salt.

Giving too many can negate the purpose of the therapeutic diet, so it is important to pay attention to the ingredients of treats.

Of course, human food should not be given to cats.

Preventing kidney disease through diet

For the health of your cat's kidneys, daily diet management is also important. Keep the following points in mind and try to manage their diet while keeping a record.

Always provide fresh water

Drinking plenty of water promotes urination and can reduce the burden on the kidneys.

Provide multiple water bowls, or try offering lukewarm water or soup to encourage increased water intake.

Choose high-quality food

Recently, many cat foods specifically designed for kidney care are available on the market. Choose foods that are not too high in salt (phosphorus and sodium) and contain appropriate amounts of high-quality protein.

In addition, "omega-3 fatty acids" such as DHA and EPA are also expected to have an effect in suppressing the progression of kidney disease.

Marukan Co., Ltd.'s "AIM30", which attracted a lot of attention, is a complete and balanced food specialized for cat kidney disease, created through research by Professor Toru Miyazaki of the University of Tokyo (Poponeko also donated research funds!).

Ask your veterinarian what diet is best for your cat's kidneys.

To prevent kidney disease, know what "cats should not eat"

Accidental ingestion or eating can cause poisoning, leading not only to acute kidney injury (acute renal failure) but also to chronic kidney disease (chronic renal failure) with unrecovered kidney function.

What "cats should not eat" are "things that are poisonous to cats." Always take precautions, such as not leaving them within your cat's reach or leaving them out in the open.

What cats should not eat - 1 "Lilies"

For cats, every part of a lily—the flowers, stems, pollen, and even the vase water—is poisonous.

Ingesting them can cause acute renal failure, so do not bring them into a home with cats.

What cats should not eat - 2 "Onions"

If a cat accidentally eats onions, their red blood cells are destroyed, leading to hemolytic anemia and acute renal failure.

Even when cooked, the toxicity remains strong, so leaving human food on the table is a no-no. Similarly, green onions, garlic, chives, and shallots are also toxic.

What cats should not eat - 3 "Human medicine"

If a cat ingests human medicine, it cannot be properly metabolized or excreted, leading to poisoning symptoms.

Cold medicines and antipyretic analgesics are particularly dangerous. Ingredients such as loxoprofen found in "Loxonin" are dangerous for cats. Take measures to avoid accidentally dropping them.

Summary

Feline kidney disease is a very concerning illness. Therefore, many owners want to be careful about their cat's diet.

In addition to choosing high-quality food, increasing water intake and keeping track of the amount and frequency of urination can help prevent and detect kidney disease early.

It is also important to have your cat undergo a health checkup at the animal hospital once a year, even if there are no particular symptoms.

Protect your cat from kidney disease with daily habits!

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