When human foods are converted to kitty calories, it is easy to see that foods intended for humans have far too many calories for our feline companions. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Canned tuna (in brine) is very high in sodium (salt). ~ Because the kidney diets from Hills, Purina, and Royal Canin are so highly digestible it is usually not necessary to convert gradually to the new food; however, sometimes a slow introduction helps a cat accept the new food. Even with the best testing, in some cases, the underlying cause remains unknown. 3. Cats in stages I and II may often be monitored for further progression of signs, and some may be given a prescription diet specifically geared to help the kidneys by limiting the amount of work they have to do. You may struggle with feeding a cat who has kidney problems, as you do not want its condition to get worse. Fish like halibut, tuna, cod, and snapper tend to be high in potassium. There are many kidney diets, not just the brand your vet carries. 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. Look at the ingredients list on the food to make sure it contains lower protein content than regular cat food. 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. This is great news for cat parents, as more information can lead to more informed decisions about food, and ultimately better health for their cat. An occasional taste of cooked boneless beef or brown rice can be an OK treat. Just 3 ounces (85 grams) of light tuna contains 10.71 mcg of mercury. Tuna on its own is not nutritionally balanced. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a relatively common problem of older cats. The earlier you can transition your cat to a specialized diet for kidney support, the more quickly you can support your cats special nutritional needs and maintain quality of life. Ask a Vet: Can You Save a Cat with Kidney Disease? Early diagnosis and intervention are keys to maintaining quality of life. It is critical to maintain adequate calorie density in order to support good body condition, so food portion calculations and regular weigh-ins are important. Baby food should only be used as a treat, since it lacks taurine and other essential nutrients. Allergies are hard to diagnose if a cat eats a mix of foods. This is a very essential vitamin for your cat as it supports the following health functions: Immune system Nervous system Digestive tract For example, tuna has too much unsaturated fat and is not supplemented with Vitamin E or other antioxidants. While most drugs used to treat pets with kidney disease are only meant to reduce symptoms, feeding the right diet can have dramatic effects on survival - studies have shown that pets that eat diets designed for kidney . To encourage more water intake, change your pets water several times a day, clean your pets water bowl daily, and consider the use of a running water fountain to increase water interest. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. Drugs prescribed in the future for any other disease process will need to be tailored or substituted for a more kidney-friendly alternative, given that kidney metabolism will be decreased. Here's why you may want to reconsider sharing your favorite canned tuna with your feline friend. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. In the wild, this instinct can protect them from predators or other cats that might be a threat. Cats in the earlier stages can, if the underlying disease is treated appropriately, live a normal life. Limiting exposure to other catswhile keeping your cat up to date on vaccines and monthly heartworm and flea controlis recommended. The canning/cooking process destroys thiaminase, so canned and cooked tuna is less likely to lead to a vitamin B1 deficiency than raw tuna. Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of savory minced ocean fish to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life. 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. Here are the top five things from her talk that owners of senior cats and cats with kidney disease need to know. The old belief was to restrict protein in cats with kidney disease, but now veterinarians know better. Cut into small shapes and bake on a baking sheet at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for roughly 15-20 minutes. If this is a problem in your cat, ask your veterinarian about a new drug called Semintra, which can help normalize blood pressure in cats that arent responding well to Amlodipine. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. {"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":"