Ask a Vet: Can You Save a Cat with Kidney Disease? For example, tuna has too much unsaturated fat and is not supplemented with Vitamin E or other antioxidants. Here's why you may want to reconsider sharing your favorite canned tuna with your feline friend. About the author: Einsteins assistant,Dusty Rainbolt ACCBC, is the vice president of the Cat Writers Association, editor-in-chief of AdoptAShelter.com and a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. Tuna on its own is not nutritionally balanced. ", PetWare web site: "Lactose Intolerance in Cats. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. The old tests, BUN and creatinine, don't show any changes until 70 to 80 percent of kidney function is lost. Dr. B. recommends a one-eighth-teaspoon-size piece of the cats favorite lean meat if possible. 17 Foods to Avoid or Limit If You Have Bad Kidneys. Cookie Consent Tool. Calcium: elevated levels, though not as common, are often seen with kidney damage. These are as follows: Although cats with kidney disease benefit from quality, digestible protein, canned tuna is unsuitable because it is high in phosphorous. According to recommendations set forth by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, a cat that weighs 11 pounds should consume 290 calories per day. A kidney biopsy to determine the type of glomerular (filtering unit of the kidney) disease present. Based on the cause, additional therapy may be instituted, such as: Aggressive IV antibiotics, if infection is present, Immunosuppressive-type drugs for auto-immune diseases, Antithrombotics (to prevent blood clot formation), Chemotherapy and/or surgery (if cancer is part of the underlying cause). Knowing where things are headed, understanding what to expect in terms of life expectancy, and having a plan can help you to be more in control of the situation and make the best decisions possible. So, why do cats love tuna fish? 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. The old belief was to restrict protein in cats with kidney disease, but now veterinarians know better. Remember the saying, "Honest as a cat when the meat's out of reach." While kidney disease can be a scary diagnosis, many dogs and cats can live comfortably for years with kidney disease if it is caught early enough and treated appropriately. Anti-nausea and anti-emetic (anti-vomiting) medications can be given to cats with a poor appetite, vomiting, or nausea. The toxic agent in chocolate is theobromine. Consomm contains too much sodium. Tuna also provides the omega-3 essential fatty acids EPA and DHA, which can contribute to overall skin and coat health and may also help improve inflammatory conditions like allergies, heart disease, certain cancers, and kidney . CURRENT OPTIONS FOR KIDNEY DISEASE DIETS FOR CATS, NF Kidney Function Early Care 3.15 lb, 8 lb, NF Kidney Function Advanced Care 3.15 lb, 8 lb, **BOARDING PICK-UP AT 4PM SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship: The VCPR, Inspired by the VIN community, part of the VIN family. Dont confuse consomm with broth. You may not have to switch to a therapeutic kidney diet (aka prescription cat food) just yet, however. The systemic effects and long-term implications, however, can certainly be debilitating and often lead to painful conditions. Dominican Republic - Repblica Dominicana, Greater China - Hong Kong SAR (English), World Small Animal Veterinary Association, human foods are converted to kitty calories, Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University, Association of American Feed Control Officials, Foods that are Dangerous or Toxic to Cats. Probiotics can also help settle the belly, especially if youre taking antibiotics. In addition, when the yeast ferments the dough to make it rise, it produces alcohol that can lead to alcohol poisoning. However, large and long-living fish, such as albacore or bluefin tuna, contain higher levels of mercury than smaller fish. Some tuna now and then probably won't hurt. Studies show that cats with kidney disease who start receiving therapy early tend to do better, have a better quality of life and live longer. Eating too much too often can do the same thing to cats that it does to humans. Ingredients such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are common in pain relievers and cold medicine. There are different types of kidney disease in cats and various underlying causes. Try feeding your cat specially-formulated cat treats or treating it in other ways. Pros and Cons of Feeding Your Cat Tuna. I'm experienced in all cat health-related matters, behavioral issues, grooming techniques, and general pet care. There are a variety of potential causes for CRF, including diseases such as feline leukemia, tumors, infections, and various toxins. It could lead to dehydration, high blood pressure, and urinary problems. Diseased kidneys are not as effective at excreting waste products from the body through the urine. Allergies are hard to diagnose if a cat eats a mix of foods. The most dangerous kinds, though, are dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate. Canned tuna is not a balanced meal because it contains low levels of taurine. Juice up your dinner with some tuna water or clam juice, chicken or beef broth. Nonetheless, one main, Adding other kidney-friendly foods into their diet can bring the additional flavor. Its Ok To Give Cats Tuna As A Treat. If youre concerned about the health risks of canned tuna, its recommended that you get some tuna-flavored cat food. Low-sodium chicken broth and tuna juice would be fine, as are most vegetables, if they like them. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. There is some debate over whether or not giving your cat canned tuna is a good idea. Vitamin A toxicity can also cause death. Some commercial cat foodtends to be high in phosphorus, which is not a good food to feed cats with kidney disease. If you keep feeding them tuna, your cat may be at an elevated risk for mercury toxicity. It also serves to reduce the effects of renal (kidney) secondary hyperparathyroidism. Learn the 18 most common symptoms for cats and what situations are an emergency. Cats cannot survive without their kidneys. FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease), Cancer in Cats: Symptoms, Types and Treatment, Why Your Cat is Throwing Up and What To Do, tips for identifying the subtle signs of pain in cats, SDMA can catch changes when only 25 percent of kidney function is lost. Grapes and raisins have often been used as treats for pets. Some cats will seem to reject all attempts to be converted to kidney diet. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. In addition to standard renal diet features, this food is formulated with glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health support. . Whole meat baby food. ~ Ideally the pet would eat only one kidney diet, but it is unusual for a cat to be willing to do so. Thiaminase. However it is important to make sure you are only giving them canned tuna that's been in water. To feed a cat with kidney problems, give it wet food instead of dry food, since cats with weak kidneys struggle to stay hydrated. Even though we are advocates for a raw food diet for cats, raw tuna can be bad for cats. Polycystic kidney disease is another inherited condition seen in Persians. But the possible causes are legion. Make sure to change your cats diet gradually over a few weeks so it can get used to the new food. (5) Jupiter Images Unlimited and Dorling Kindersley / Getty, (9) Jupiter Images Unlimited and Dorling Kindersley / Getty, (14)Dorling Kindersley / Getty and iStockphoto, (16)Cultura / Getty and Jupiter Images Unlimited, (17)Jupiter Images Unlimited and Photlibrary, (18)FoodPix and Dorling Kindersley / Getty, , PetEducation.com: "Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Cat. Fortunately, veterinarians and researchers are hard at work to discover new ways to catch feline kidney disease earlier so they can better treat and manage the condition. Most savvy cat owners know that their feline needs to eat a high-quality diet rich in protein, but what about cats with kidney disease? Its OK to treat your cat with a few chunks of canned tuna, but this should be in addition to its regular meals. A diet that is high in phosphorous will speed up the development of kidney disease. Most cats will exhibit symptoms including: Urinary accidents, incontinence, or inability to urinate, Edema (fluid-filled swelling in the limbs). Raw tuna contains thiaminase, which is an enzyme that destroys thiamine (vitamin B1.). It is a progressive problem that cannot be cured, but these pets can often be successfully medically managed for a long time. Frequent consumption of tuna may also lead to mercury poisoning explains Cailin Heinze, a veterinary nutritionist at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. If not, overdosages and/or worsening of the kidney disease could occur. Learn more. Certain medications may be recommended by a vet, if there is protein loss . Look for wet food that contains tuna juice, clam juice, chicken broth, and beef broth. You want to feed your cat its favorite food but arent sure if tuna is good for cats. And a cat can choke on a bone. Instead, choose a complete, nutritionally balanced cat food that has tuna on the ingredients list. One consequence of CKD is a decreased ability of the kidneys to concentrate the urine. Already have a myVCA account? Although this food is called a Veterinary Diet, you can purchase it without a veterinarians prescription. This should stop your cat from becoming obsessed with eating tuna. The answer is Yes. Fortunately, a nice lady fell in love with me and took me home with her. Nutrition For Cats With Chronic Kidney Disease, Control the clinical signs associated with accumulating waste products in the blood, Minimize problems with fluid and mineral balance. Most indoor cats aren't very active and don't require a lot of calories meaning weight gain can easily creep up. According to Taylor and Francis, these symptoms can be caused by a tuna-rich diet: These symptoms can be due to other factors besides overeating canned tuna. Christine O'Brien is a writer, mom, and long-time cat parent whose two Russian Blues rule the house. Look at the ingredients list on the food to make sure it contains lower protein content than regular cat food. It can be used for early detection of kidney disease. Just make sure to avoid any plant-based proteins since these are lower quality and will not provide the proper nutrients to a cat with renal disease. Since phosphorus content is related to protein content, it is impossible to achieve these lower levels of phosphorus without limiting protein content. These diets are formulated to help cats with CKD avoid metabolic acidosis and are available from your veterinarian. Water. Fat, both cooked and uncooked, can cause intestinal upset, with vomiting and diarrhea. Category. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. So since safe treats wont help you pack on the pounds, your human needs to make your food more exciting. Some cats will seem to reject all attempts to be converted to kidney diet. In fact, many commercial cat foods contain tuna as an ingredient. If your cat has medical problems or is on a special diet, ask your veterinarian before feeding tuna to . The higher the proof, the worse the symptoms. Read about 5 of the worst toxic food offenders that can kill your cat - and how much it takes to hurt them. The recommended range of protein on a dry matter basis for cats with CKD is 28-35%. Tuna has a strong, fishy smell that is very appealing to cats. Board-certified veterinary nutritionist Tony Buffington isnt a fan of treats. Higher values can often indicate kidney failure. It is unsuitable for cats with kidney disease. Theres no harm in giving your cat tuna fish in spring water occasionally, but scientifically formulated tuna-based cat food is recommended. Dry: K/D Chicken 4 lb, 8.5 lb. The safest way to feed your cat tuna is through a complete cat food that contains tuna. I just dont want to eat much anymore. Creatinine (CREA): measures how well kidneys are filtering waste from blood. High-quality senior cat diets tend to contain omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, L-carnitine, highly bioavailable protein and balanced amino acids, all of which are important ingredients to support an aging body. This is a serious condition that can affect your cat's bones. Omega-3 fatty acids. Her work also appears in Care.com, What to Expect, and Fit Pregnancy, where she writes about pets, pregnancy, and family life. As more manufacturers include calorie content information on pet food labels, explains the Association of American Feed Control Officials, an organization that uses science-based evidence to develop pet food standards, "It is easier to determine how many calories are being fed to an animal per day." Symptoms of mercury poisoning include dizziness and loss of coordination and balance. Among the many edible species of fish, tuna is not good for your dog with kidney disease. ", Columbia Animal Hospital Newsletter: "Paws & Claws. The second is rare problem in which a protein in raw egg whites, called avidin, could interfere with the absorption of the B vitamin biotin. Cats with kidney issues can become easily dehydrated, as their kidneys cannot retain water efficiently. For tips from our Veterinary co-author on how to add supplements to your cat's diet, read on! Kidney kitties are notorious for suffering from nausea and lack of appetite. And they can be deadly for your cat. 3. Subscribe / Does cat food contain too much mercury, and should we be concerned about mercury poisoning from seafood-based cat foods? Chicken 4 lb, 8.5 lb as common, are dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate does food... Much mercury, and should we be concerned about the health risks of canned is! 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