While a single bite may not do any harm, it's best to take tuna out of their bowl entirely. Low-sodium chicken broth and tuna juice would be fine, as are most vegetables, if they like them. Most indoor cats aren't very active and don't require a lot of calories meaning weight gain can easily creep up. This makes it critical for you to provide your cat with an unlimited supply of fresh water. Clinical signs are often related to the severity of the kidney disease and underlying cause. For more information on this condition please see the handout "Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats". Is tuna bad for cats with kidney problems? Then, sadly, it might be time for your mom to read The Feline Quality of Life Scale Helps You Determine If Its Time to Say Goodbye to Your Cat.. Before it's baked, bread dough needs to rise. Already have a myVCA account? I'm experienced in all cat health-related matters, behavioral issues, grooming techniques, and general pet care. Cats are carnivores and need meat. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. She can ask your vet about some prescription appetite stimulants like cyproheptidine or Mirtazipine and anti-nausea meds or antacids. Other brands are not worth considering, and it is not possible to duplicate the benefits of these CKD diets with a home-cooked diet. If tuna is part of your cat's meal plan and you notice them acting out of sorts, consider taking them into your veterinarian for a wellness visit it's always a good idea to get a baseline reading to ensure nothing serious is going on. Got a question for he who knows everything feline? At some point, your kidneys will say, "Hasta la vista, baby." veterinarian has been very informative. However a new study found that cats with kidney disease may not have elevated stomach acidity as compared to healthy cats. 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. So now theyre sick and not eating well, and made to eat a diet that you dont particularly like. Knead the dough and roll it out to 1/4 inch thickness. ~ When there is a normal cat or cats in the house with the cat with CKD it is fine to feed all the cats the kidney diet; it is high-quality maintenance food for normal cats. Unlike processed, tuna-flavored cat food, real tuna does not contain preservatives, coloring, fish meal, additives, or other synthetic chemicals that can damage cat's organs and digestive system. Over time, cats can develop an unhealthy addiction to tuna. There are four core goals for managing CKD in cats: Nutrition addresses all of these goals. 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. Kidney Shield For Cats & Dogs is another best-seller loaded for Optimal Kidney Health for your cat with kidney disease. Most of the time, cats with kidney disease benefit more from centrally acting anti-nausea medications, so talk with your veterinarian about these types of medications. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. Your cat will see an open can of tuna next to the sink as a dinner invitation. Water. Low-sodium chicken broth and tuna juice would be fine, as are most vegetables, if they like them. Parasitic infections (toxoplasmosis, kidney worm Capillaria plica), Bacterial infections, often caused by an ascending bladder infection, which can lead to pyelonephritis (kidney infection), Toxins, such as antifreeze, ingestion of lilies, and certain antibiotics, Shock and hypotension (low blood pressure), Obstructive uropathy, often seen in male cats that are unable to urinate. By using our site, you agree to our. And, that's exactly what it would do in your cat's stomach if your cat ate it. This should stop your cat from becoming obsessed with eating tuna. Be patient and do not try to rush your cat into eating the new food right away. It consists of cysts developing within a kidney and leads to progressive kidney failure. Today were discussing if tuna fish is safe for cats with kidney disease. A cat has two kidneys, one on each side of the abdomen, and they play a vital role in filtering waste from the body. In addition, an enzyme in raw fish destroys thiamine, which is an essential B vitamin for your cat. Tuna fish can be found in many cat foods and treats. Here's why you may want to reconsider sharing your favorite canned tuna with your feline friend. Who Won the Catster Purrrific Photo Contest in 2018? However, we now know that cats with kidney disease are in pain, not only from their kidney disease, but also from arthritis. If you notice any of the signs above, take your cat to a veterinarian for examination as soon as possible. Tuna is not nutritionally balanced and should not be fed as a large part of your cat's meal plan. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'm Richard, the lead writer for Senior Cat Wellness. The old tests, BUN and creatinine, don't show any changes until 70 to 80 percent of kidney function is lost. Tuna has many other health benefits, should it be part of a balanced diet and given . Your use of this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Statement. Prescription cat foodthat focuses on kidney support, such as Blue Natural Kidney and Mobility diet, fits the nutritional needs of cats with kidney disease. The old belief was to restrict protein in cats with kidney disease, but now veterinarians know better. If your cat has high phosphate levels in its blood due to kidney issues, for example, your vet may recommend a phosphate binder that you can add to its diet. Your human can sit with you at mealtime and talk to you, stroke you, encourage you to take one more bite or even hand-feed you. These new tests allow for earlier detection and intervention with kidney disease in cats. Tuna is high in protein and low in carbohydrates and as tuna is a fish, it provides our cats with omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's) which are good for skin and coat health. However, if your cat is living with kidney disease, you should start off by limiting the protein. Sometimes, all that is needed in the beginning is to switch to a high-quality senior diet. Bones can also splinter and cause an obstruction or cut the insideof your cat's digestive system. Nonetheless, one main issue in tuna is mercury toxicity. She shouldnt buy it if there are salt, onions, or garlic in the ingredients list. (Ask) Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA): an additional test to help determine if kidney disease is present. Grapes and raisins have often been used as treats for pets. The question came in from one of our clients who was puzzled about how to feed tuna to their cat with kidney disease. . But does this mean that you should never feed your cat tinned tuna? 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. Heres how to get your cat to drink more water. Whole meat baby food. If you suspect a food allergy, start eliminating foods one by one to determine which one is to blame. Many other items commonly found on kitchen shelves can harm your cat. When you think about kidney disease in cats, pain control is likely not the first thing that comes to mind. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Did you know that the kidneys secrete a hormone that regulates blood pressure? However, large and long-living fish, such as albacore or bluefin tuna, contain higher levels of mercury than smaller fish. Go for canned wet food that is high quality and all natural. For tips from our Veterinary co-author on how to add supplements to your cat's diet, read on! I always urge pet parents to ask their veterinarian for nutritional information for their pet. In general, tuna is something that our cats can eat. Low sodium is also important for the maintenance of your cats kidneys, especially if it has kidney issues. Kidney disease can be caused by a variety of factors: For some cats, the disease could have occurred after a serious kidney injury, from a severe infection (including feline infectious peritonitis, feline immunodeficiency virus, and pyelonephritis), ingestion of a toxic substance (like antifreeze or lilies), and from certain medications. One supplement we have that can drastically improve your cats kidney function and revitalize their kidneys is Kidney Restore For Cats & Dogs. {"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":"