Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a pretty common health issue in older cats.
It can really affect how they feel day to day.
CKD creeps up as the kidneys slowly lose their function. You might miss the early signs—they’re easy to overlook—but spotting CKD early gives your cat a better shot at a longer, more comfortable life.
Most cats over 10 years old will deal with some kidney trouble as they age.
Regular check-ups make a big difference, especially for older cats, since untreated kidney disease can lead to serious problems.
Let’s talk about what chronic kidney disease is, how to spot the signs, and what you can do to help your cat feel better.
Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats
Many older cats end up with chronic kidney disease, which causes their kidneys to lose function little by little.
This usually happens over time and can have a few different causes.
The kidneys play a big role in filtering waste and keeping things balanced in the body.
When they start to fail, it can create all sorts of health issues.
What Is Chronic Kidney Disease?
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) means a cat’s kidneys slowly stop working as well as they should.
This isn’t like sudden kidney failure—it takes months or even years.
Cats with CKD can’t filter toxins like urea out of their blood, so those toxins build up and cause problems.
CKD is pretty common in older cats, but sometimes younger cats get it too, especially if they already have health issues.
Symptoms usually show up late, like drinking more water, losing weight, or not wanting to eat.
When the damage gets worse, vets might call it chronic renal failure.
Catching it early helps you manage the symptoms and gives your cat a better quality of life.
Common Causes and Risk Factors
Aging is the most common reason cats get CKD.
Other things like bacterial infections, urinary tract infections, or diseases such as pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis can also lead to it.
Kidney stones and swallowing toxins can hurt the kidneys and make CKD more likely.
Chronic illnesses like diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and cancer also raise the risk.
Dental disease in cats sometimes causes inflammation that affects the kidneys.
Some cats have genetic issues like amyloidosis or polycystic kidney disease that damage their kidneys.
Older cats, especially those who’ve had repeated infections or been exposed to toxins, are more likely to develop CKD.
Knowing these risks can help you keep an eye out for early signs.
How Kidneys Work in Felines
A cat’s kidneys filter blood, get rid of waste, balance fluids, and keep minerals in check.
Each kidney has a bunch of tiny units called nephrons that clean the blood and make urine.
When nephrons get damaged, the kidneys can’t remove toxins as well, and everything starts to back up.
The kidneys also help control blood pressure and make red blood cells, so CKD affects more than just waste removal.
Healthy kidneys keep water and salts balanced, which is really important for cats.
If infections, stones, or other diseases hurt the kidneys, the process slows down and kidney function drops.
Understanding how all this works really shows why early treatment matters for chronic kidney disease in cats.
For more info about kidney disease in cats, there are some helpful guides online.
Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Feline CKD
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats changes their health in ways you can often see at home.
Vets use a few tests to confirm CKD and see how far it’s gone.
Treatment focuses on making your cat feel better, slowing the disease, and keeping them comfortable.
Recognizing the Signs of Kidney Disease in Cats
Early on, cats with CKD usually drink more water and pee more often.
As things get worse, you might notice weight loss, not wanting to eat, vomiting, or lethargy.
Their breath can smell bad, and their fur might look rough because toxins are building up.
Some get constipated or have diarrhea.
Anemia and dehydration can show up as the disease gets worse.
Changes in behavior or energy are pretty common, too.
If CKD causes high blood pressure, it can even lead to eye problems or blindness.
Watching for these signs means you can get your cat help sooner.
You can find more details on kidney failure symptoms in cats if you want a longer list.
Diagnosing CKD: Tests and Staging
Vets use blood and urine tests to diagnose CKD.
Blood work looks at creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and SDMA to see how well the kidneys are filtering waste.
Urine tests check urine specific gravity, which drops when the kidneys can’t concentrate urine.
Vets also check for azotemia (high nitrogen waste) to confirm kidney disease.
They use the IRIS staging system to figure out how advanced the disease is, from mild to severe.
Early diagnosis helps you and your vet keep track and plan treatment.
Regular testing lets you see how things are changing and adjust care as needed.
Treatment and Management Options
Treatment tries to ease symptoms and slow down kidney damage.
Cats usually do better on a special kidney diet that’s lower in phosphorus and sodium.
Phosphate binders can help keep phosphorus levels in check. Fluid therapy like subcutaneous fluids keeps cats hydrated if they don’t drink enough.
If your cat doesn’t want to eat, appetite stimulants might help.
Some suggestions for cats with kidney disease can make feeding easier.
Vets sometimes add water-soluble vitamins and potassium supplements.
Controlling blood pressure and treating infections quickly are also important.
Complications and Related Conditions
CKD can cause high blood pressure, which sometimes leads to eye problems or blindness. Anemia (not enough red blood cells) makes cats tired.
Uremia, or a buildup of toxins, causes nausea and poor appetite.
CKD also raises the risk of urinary tract infections.
Dental health can get worse because of toxins in the blood.
Thyroid issues may pop up with kidney disease and can change how treatment works.
If you keep up with regular check-ups, you can catch these problems early and treat them before they get out of hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chronic kidney disease in cats shows up in lots of ways, from changes in behavior to physical symptoms.
Treatments depend on how far the disease has gone, and there are ways to help your cat stay comfortable.
What are the early signs of kidney failure in cats?
You’ll usually see your cat drinking and peeing more.
They might lose weight or not want to eat as much.
Sometimes, they just seem more tired or less playful.
How can chronic kidney disease in cats be treated?
Treatment is all about managing symptoms and slowing the disease.
You can use special diets, medications like phosphate binders, and make sure your cat gets enough fluids.
Some cats do better with natural supplements, too.
What are the stages of chronic kidney disease in cats?
Vets break CKD into stages based on symptoms and blood test results.
Early stages usually don’t show many signs.
Later stages bring more serious problems and need more care.
How can I make my cat more comfortable if they have kidney disease?
Keep water and food close by.
Wet food helps with hydration.
Regular vet visits and the right meds make a big difference in keeping your cat comfortable.
At what point should I consider euthanasia for my cat with end-stage kidney failure?
This is a hard decision and really personal.
If your cat is in pain or not enjoying life anymore, it might be time to think about euthanasia.
What measures can I take to slow down the progression of my cat’s kidney failure?
Try feeding your cat a kidney-friendly diet.
Keep an eye on their blood pressure, and take care of any other health issues that pop up.
Catching kidney problems early and starting treatment right away really helps slow things down.
For more tips and in-depth advice, check out the ISFM guidelines on feline chronic kidney disease.