Delicious roasted chicken paired with tender vegetables in a succulent stew
Over 70% of dogs lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Delicious roasted chicken paired with tender vegetables in a succulent stew
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of minced liver & chicken to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health
Over 70% of cats lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Over 70% of cats lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
An Orange cat eating from a bowl filled with mixed food
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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined as any abnormality of one or both kidneys that has been present for several months. It is a common condition, affecting about 1 of every 3 cats.1
Your cat’s kidneys play a vital role in removing metabolic wastes from the bloodstream, regulating fluid and electrolyte balance, producing or activating important hormones and helping control blood pressure. If your cat’s kidneys cannot do their job properly, CKD can eventually lead to life-threatening problems.
The cause of CKD in cats often is unknown; however, several factors
may be involved that could increase your cat’s risk of developing
kidney disease:
Catching CKD before signs become obvious is important since signs do not typically appear until 75% of kidney function has been lost. At 7 years and older, a cat’s kidney disease risk increases, so be sure to get a “senior screening” during their annual check-up. CKD is progressive and irreversible, but your veterinarian can help provide long-term care and show you how to track signs in older cats.
The signs of early-stage kidney disease are not visible. On diagnosis, CKD has already been present for some time but may be managed with the help of vet-recommended cat food for kidney disease. Signs of late-stage kidney disease tend to be similar but are far more noticeable to pet parents.
If your cat has kidney disease, the nutrition formulated for them can help make an impact on their lives. Specially formulated therapeutic foods that contain decreased amounts of phosphorus and highly digestible protein, and increased omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil have been shown to support quality and length of life in cats with CKD compared to feeding a non-therapeutic food.
Your cat’s appetite may vary over time when they have CKD and offering different forms (dry, stews) and flavors of an appropriate food recommended by your veterinary healthcare team can be very helpful. The single most important thing you can do is make any changes to a new food gradually because some cats need several weeks or longer to get used to a new food.
While it has gained some popularity online, using a homemade food (or a raw food) for cats with kidney disease requires you to take into account several factors, including contamination risks, balancing nutrients, and the overall cost. When looking into nutritional options for cats with kidney disease, it’s always best to get a specific recommendation from your veterinarian.
If your cat has kidney disease, the nutrition formulated for them can help make an impact on their lives. Specially formulated therapeutic foods that contain decreased amounts of phosphorus and highly digestible protein, and increased omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil have been shown to support quality and length of life in cats with CKD compared to feeding a non-therapeutic food.
Your cat’s appetite may vary over time when they have CKD and offering different forms (dry, stews) and flavors of an appropriate food recommended by your veterinary healthcare team can be very helpful. The single most important thing you can do is make any changes to a new food gradually because some cats need several weeks or longer to get used to a new food.
While it has gained some popularity online, using a homemade food (or a raw food) for cats with kidney disease requires you to take into account several factors, including contamination risks, balancing nutrients, and the overall cost. When looking into nutritional options for cats with kidney disease, it’s always best to get a specific recommendation from your veterinarian.
Clinical nutrition formulated to help cats lose weight and help manage blood sugar
Healthy and delicious Metabolic cat treats help support weight loss and maintenance
Clinical nutrition formulated to help cats lose weight and manage blood sugar
Treats for cats with food sensitivities, related skin conditions and sensitive stomachs
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References: 1Lulich JP, Osborne CA, O’Brien TD, Polzin DJ. Feline renal failure: questions, answers, questions. Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet. 1992;14(2):127–153. Brown SA. Renal dysfunction in small animals. The Merck Veterinary Manual website.