Kidney issues tend to show up in older cats or cats who have other health issues like high blood pressure, a hereditary disease, or cancer. Just make sure that these are low in sodium. Some causes of kidney disease may be preventable (such as toxicologic causes), but unfortunately, most causes are not. You may not have to switch to a therapeutic kidney diet (aka prescription cat food) just yet, however. Heritable conditions, for example, are not preventable, but affected cats, or cats with the genetic copies of the disease, should not be bred. Even with the best testing, in some cases, the underlying cause remains unknown. Diseased kidneys are not as effective at excreting waste products from the body through the urine. If protein intake is too low however, CKD will start to break down muscle mass. "Firstly that the specific topic(s) were covered. The safest way to feed your cat tuna is through a complete cat food that contains tuna. Farmed tuna contains lower levels of mercury than wild-caught fish. Phosphorus: 0.3 to 0.6 percent. So since safe treats wont help you pack on the pounds, your human needs to make your food more exciting. Cats that suffer from severe kidney problems tend to have high blood pressure that puts undue stress on internal organs, including the heart, lungs and retinas. However, though not on the list of toxic foods for cats, tuna that's meant for people can cause health issues for cats. 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. 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. Ingredients such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are common in pain relievers and cold medicine. In order to continue to rid the body of its toxins despite more dilute urine, the body compensates by stimulating greater thirst. Fish is a great source of protein, but there are a few reasons why a steady diet of human-grade canned tuna can cause health problems for your cat. ", University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine: "Killer Grapes and Other Concerns in Animal Poison Control. Ask Einstein: Im a Cat with Kidney Disease; What Can I Eat? While a single bite may not do any harm, it's best to take tuna out of their bowl entirely. This article has been viewed 35,467 times. Fat, both cooked and uncooked, can cause intestinal upset, with vomiting and diarrhea. If you keep feeding them tuna, your cat may be at an elevated risk for mercury toxicity. Just as you would do for your children, put all medicines where your cat can't get to them. Higher values can often indicate kidney failure. A few things that do not appear in the veterinary textbooks or on the food label, that we have learned over years of managing cats with CKD: ~ Ideally the pet would be fed only canned food because of the benefit of higher moisture content. 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. Kidney disease is one of the most common diseases seen in older domestic cats. Canned tuna (in brine) is very high in sodium (salt). Understand how feeding your cat human snacks can be dangerous to your cat and lead to significant weight gain. Hopefully with the help of your mom and your vet, your appetite will ramp up and your waist will fill out. Common signs that a cat is sick are vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, increased thirst, and many more. These new tests allow for earlier detection and intervention with kidney disease in cats. Kitties are perfectly capable of starving ourselves to death if the food doesnt appeal to us. Nonetheless, one main, Adding other kidney-friendly foods into their diet can bring the additional flavor. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Repeated vomiting and hyperactivity are early signs. This works by reducing protein 'leaking' through the kidneys. Pros and Cons of Feeding Your Cat Tuna. And never give your cat any over-the-counter medicine unless advised to do so by your vet. Your mom can always boil a chicken for broth and share a treat of meat with you (if your vet says okie dokey). 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. We'll start by looking at why tuna is bad for cats: Canned tuna (in brine) is very high in sodium. In the wild, this instinct can protect them from predators or other cats that might be a threat. If you suspect a food allergy, start eliminating foods one by one to determine which one is to blame. 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. Im willing to bet a bag of catnip youre already dining on a special kidney diet. Low sodium is also important for the maintenance of your cats kidneys, especially if it has kidney issues. The life expectancy of a cat with kidney disease varies depending on the underlying cause and the stage at which it is diagnosed. But the fact that they'll walk away from a piece of bad meat doesn't mean they'll bypass an open can of tuna. Get tips and exclusive deals. The answer is Yes. Rabbit is fairly strong-tasting and low in phosphorous, so its a healthy alternative to tuna fish for cats. SDMA can catch changes when only 25 percent of kidney function is lost, giving cats a better chance to respond to treatment. Avoid fried or processed foods as well as dairy products, especially if your cat is lactose intolerant. Table scraps often contain fat trimmed off of meat and bones. Is tuna bad for cats with kidney problems? Caffeine in large enough quantities can be fatal for a cat. Even giving canned tuna as a treat can lead to health issues, especially if it is given in large amounts or frequently. If you open a can of tuna, it wont be long before your cat is drawn to the enticing aroma. I just dont want to eat much anymore. In this case, 92% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'm Richard, the lead writer for Senior Cat Wellness. Many cats can go on to have a decent quality of life for many months or years, depending on the specific diagnosis. Grapes or raisins, since they can cause kidney damage even in healthy cats. You should also use food with low levels of protein, which is easier for the kidneys to process. I have arthritis, some of my teeth have gone AWOL, and Im skinny as a supermodel cause my vet says I have chronic renal failure. They love the powerful smell and the robust flavor of this fish, and a spoonful of tuna has been known to make the medicine go down easily. For tips from our Veterinary co-author on how to add supplements to your cat's diet, read on! veterinarian has been very informative. It consists of cysts developing within a kidney and leads to progressive kidney failure. Early diagnosis and intervention are keys to maintaining quality of life. Stick to carnivore-friendly foods like cooked chicken breast or oily fish like tuna and mackerel. According to recommendations set forth by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, a cat that weighs 11 pounds should consume 290 calories per day. They love the powerful smell and the robust flavor of this fish, and a spoonful of tuna has been known to make the medicine go down easily. % of people told us that this article helped them. Be patient and do not try to rush your cat into eating the new food right away. 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. {"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":"