Cats are great pets, but they do have some serious health issues. If you have a cat with kidney disease, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing cat food.
Introduction
Kidney disease is one of the most common diseases in cats, even more so than diabetes.
In fact, according to the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), up to 50% of cats over ten years old have some form of kidney disease. This means that there are many options for cat food out there when it comes to treating kidney disease: low protein diets and normal protein diets, prescription diets, and non-prescription diets. It can be confusing! Here we’ll cover what causes kidney disease in cats and how you can choose the best diet for your kitty with KD.
Understanding Kidney Disease Problems in Cats
Kidney disease is a condition that occurs when the kidneys are unable to perform their normal functions. The kidneys filter blood and remove waste products from the body, but if your cat has kidney disease, they can no longer effectively do this job. They may experience chronic renal failure or acute renal failure which will eventually lead to kidney failure.
For cats with kidney disease, it’s important to pay attention to the amount of protein in their diet because excess protein can build up in the bloodstream and damage other organs like the liver and heart. The standard recommended amount of protein for cats with CKD is 10-15% (or just 1/2 cup per day). Your veterinarian will advise you on how much protein is right for your cat based on their individual needs; however, generally speaking, cats who are overweight should have slightly less than those who are underweight because obesity can impact CKD progression as well as cause additional health problems such as diabetes mellitus that require special treatment too!
Renal diets contain lower levels than regular foods but still offer essential nutrients like calcium phosphorus sodium chloride potassium chloride magnesium amino acids taurine etcetera.”
Causes of Kidney Disease in Cats
Kidney disease is most common in older cats, but it can be seen at any age. Your cat’s breed may also play a role. For example, Maine Coons and Ragdolls are more likely to develop kidney disease than other breeds.
As for the causes of kidney disease in cats: Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is one of the most common causes of kidney failure in cats—it’s an infection that affects the body’s organs and muscles, including its kidneys. Chronic renal disease (CRD) is another leading cause of chronic kidney disease; this condition occurs when there’s damage or scarring to one or both kidneys due to high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus (diabetes), obesity, and excessive protein buildup in urine (proteinuria).
The good news? Most cases of CRD can be treated with medications that help limit inflammation and improve blood flow through your cat’s kidneys.
Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Disease in Cats
As your cat’s kidneys begin to fail, he may experience one or more of the following signs and symptoms:
- Weight loss
- Poor appetite
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Your cat may also show signs of weakness, lack of energy, and depression. He may have a poor coat, anemia, and high blood pressure. In advanced cases, your cat may even develop kidney stones. If left untreated for long enough, kidney disease can lead to complete renal failure (CRF).
Why does Renal Diet Matter for Cats with Kidney Disease?
Renal diets are specially formulated to help cats with kidney disease. As the kidneys are responsible for filtering waste products from the blood, they can become damaged when they are unable to remove the wastes that should be removed. When this happens, a cat’s body becomes overloaded with toxins, which can lead to serious health problems such as dehydration and muscle wasting.
Renal diets are low in phosphorus (a mineral found in many foods), which is important because excess phosphorus can build up in the bloodstream and cause damage to both kidney tissue and bone tissue. Therefore, renal diets tend to be high in protein and contain higher amounts of water content than other types of cat food. This helps maintain normal levels of potassium, sodium, and bicarbonate – all essential minerals that help regulate fluid balance in your cat’s body while avoiding any potentially harmful effects associated with too much phosphorus consumption.
How to Choose Cat Food for Kidney Disease?
If your cat has kidney disease, you need to find a cat food that is low in phosphorus and high in protein. The right kind of diet will help keep your kitty’s kidneys healthy while minimizing symptoms such as weakness, lethargy, and loss of appetite.
Here are some tips on choosing the best cat food for kidney disease:
- Look for a formula that is low in phosphorus (less than 0.6% by weight). This helps prevent further damage to the kidneys and promotes healing. A good rule of thumb is to choose a food with less than 50% of its total calories coming from carbohydrates (which means they have more protein and fat). One example would be the Royal Canin Renal LP diet which contains 45% protein and only 20% carbs/calories. Your vet may prescribe additional medications depending on how severe your pet’s condition is. These should go along with whatever diet you choose for him or her!
Nutritional Food Requirement for Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease
When it comes to kidney disease, a cat’s diet must be carefully managed in order to maintain its health. In fact, nutritional management is one of the most important aspects of treating chronic kidney disease (CKD). Cats with this condition require a special diet that will help them maintain their quality of life for as long as possible.
In order for your cat’s body to function properly, certain nutrients need to be consumed on a daily basis. Protein is one such nutrient; it helps build muscles and repair cells. However, too much protein can lead to an accumulation of nitrogen in the bloodstream known as hyperammonemia and this is bad news for cats with CKD! On the other hand, phosphorus promotes bone growth and development but can also cause problems when taken in excessive amounts. High levels may lead to calcification of soft tissues throughout the body including kidneys themselves, especially since they’re already under siege from CKD!
Why Choose Cat Food Low in Phosphorus?
When it comes to cat food and kidney disease, the first thing you should look for is a low phosphorus content. Phosphorus is a mineral that’s important for kidney health, but cats don’t need as much phosphorus as other species because they don’t drink water with their food as humans do.
Cats who have kidney disease often develop high levels of phosphorus in their urine (hyperphosphatemia), which can cause further damage to the kidneys over time. Excessive phosphorus intake causes increased calcium excretion from bone tissue into the bloodstream; this results in a decrease in bone density leading to osteoporosis.
It’s good news that most commercial cat foods contain lower amounts of phosphorus than those found in dog foods, particularly if your cat is at risk of developing kidney disease. While many pet owners still debate whether or not these products are truly healthy when fed regularly, there are some brands available that offer an appropriate balance between protein and fat content without causing any harm.
How to Feed your Cat with Kidney Disease?
Feeding a renal diet for cats is one of the best things you can do as a cat owner. A renal diet for cats is designed to help keep the kidneys functioning at their best and can reduce protein loss from the body.
- Feed your cat a renal diet that is formulated for kidney disease. There are many different types of cat kidney diets on the market, but it’s important to feed your cat one that has been specifically formulated for cats with kidney disease or kidney function problems (such as CKD).
- Feed your cat a renal diet that is suitable for the cat’s age. Some foods are intended only to be fed to older cats, while others are made specifically for kittens or older kitties who are not eating well due to illness or old age and need extra nutrients in their diet in order to stay healthy and happy! Be sure whatever type of food you choose has been tested by veterinarians before buying so that both owner & pet feel confident about what they’re getting into together when making such an important decision together!”
What Cat Food Do Veterinarians Recommend for Cats with Kidney Disease?
If you have a cat with kidney disease, your veterinarian will likely recommend special cat food. The most commonly recommended diets are renal diets, veterinary prescription diets, and nutritionally complete low phosphorus cat food diets.
A renal diet is formulated specifically for cats who have been diagnosed with kidney disease. This type of diet can help improve the health of your cat while they recover from their condition. A veterinary prescription diet is also highly recommended by many vets because it has been clinically tested to be beneficial in improving the quality and length of life for cats that suffer from kidney disease. If you’ve got a finicky eater at home (and we all do), these foods might be difficult to switch over, so make sure it’s something you’ll want to feed long-term!
Finally—and this point cannot be stressed enough—it’s important that whatever kind of food you choose is low in phosphorus!
Conclusion
As always, it is important to talk to your vet before making any major changes in your cat’s diet. Your vet should be able to provide recommendations based on their experience and knowledge of the various options available for cats with chronic kidney disease. However, even if you decide not to follow their advice exactly, we hope that this article has helped you better understand why certain foods are more beneficial than others for your pet’s health
This article originally appeared on Blog.catbandit.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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Secrets of this fascinating cat body language
When you first get a cat, you may be wondering what their ears mean. Here’s what you need to know about the different positions your cat’s ears can take.
Cat ear language is the subject of much discussion and speculation among cat-lovers. It’s common knowledge that cats have an extensive vocabulary, but scientists and animal behaviorists are still trying to figure out what exactly they’re saying with their body language.
With a little bit of research, however, you can learn how to interpret your own cat’s language—and use it as a way to improve your relationship with them!
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Cat ears are a great way to understand your cat’s mood and communicate with them. Whether you are a seasoned cat owner or new to the world of kitties, it’s important to learn how to read your kitty’s ear positions. A healthy cat should be able to hold its ears in an alert position at all times, but there are times when they change its shape or position for different reasons. Here is everything you need to know about reading your cat’s ears!
Cat ears are a way for your cat to communicate with you and the world around them.
The positions of your cat’s ears can tell you what they’re feeling, what they’re thinking, and whether or not they want to be bothered.
Here are some of the most common ear positions.
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The neutral position is the one you’re most likely to see your cat in. In this position, the ears are not facing forward and they are not turned back. They are in a middle position; neither forward nor backward. They may also be slightly tilted to one side or another. The eyes and nose should be symmetrical as well (though some asymmetry is normal). If your cat’s ears are showing any of these signs, he or she is relaxed and happy:
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When your cat’s ears are faced forward, you know she is curious about what’s going on. She may be interested in what you’re doing or interested in something else happening outside of your window.
It could be that she has a confident air about her as well—she knows that she can handle whatever might come her way.
If your cat holds her ears straight out and flat against her head, she might be showing aggression or fear.
In the wild, this posture indicates submission to the dominant cat who just arrived on the scene.
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When your cat’s ears are straight up, it can mean a variety of things. This position shows curiosity, alertness, confidence, and aggression. When the ears are forward, you know your cat is feeling submissive or afraid. Your kitty may be confused if the ears are cocked to one side or down towards the floor.
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When your cat turns his ears back or sideways, he’s either not interested in what you’re saying or he is annoyed with you. It can also be a sign that the cat is becoming aggressive and wants to defend himself from perceived threats. If this happens, it’s important to use caution when approaching your pet. The last thing you want to do is provoke him further by getting too close!
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If your cat’s ears are low and facing outwards, it is likely that your cat is relaxed, curious, alert, and listening. This position can also indicate a frightened or aggressive state. When your cat’s ears are in this position they will rotate slightly as they move their head to focus on sounds.
In this position the vertical muscles within the ear (called chorda tympani) contract which makes the cartilage within each ear stiffen up which becomes more noticeable when you look at them closely with a magnifying glass. The flap of skin (pinna) on top of each ear also tightens so that blood does not pool there making it appear redder than usual.
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This is a sign of relaxation. A cat’s ears can be low on the sides of their head when they’re relaxed, meaning that they’re not necessarily in any danger or stressed out about something. If your cat has been through a tough day and you see this position, it means that they are probably just chilling out at home with you and not doing anything too difficult or involving.
Sometimes, cats will also have their ears in this position when they are simply listening to sounds around them. This could mean that there is another animal nearby or even just the sound of someone talking in another room! It all depends on the context; if your cat is doing something else like eating or grooming themselves, then these positions might not apply as well since there won’t be much “listening” involved in those activities unless someone interrupts what your pet is doing (in which case we would recommend paying attention!).
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A cat’s ears are a great indicator of its mood. When the ears are low and flat, it means that the cat feels relaxed and comfortable. This is often seen in sleeping cats, as well as those who feel completely at ease in their surroundings. The most common ear position!
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One ear down indicates a cat is relaxed and happy. A more specific meaning of this position is that the cat is also listening to something. For example, if you are talking to them and they have one ear down, this could mean they’re listening to your voice (and therefore, responding to it). If your cat has both ears forward, this might indicate that their focus is on something else in their environment, such as another animal moving around outside or a sound coming from the next room.
Alternatively, if your cat only has one ear back or slightly turned inward toward you then he may be distracted by something else but still interested in what you’re saying at least enough so as not to completely ignore it (or get up and leave). In this case, he’s telling you that he cares about what’s being said but isn’t fully focused on it yet; essentially what we might call “half-listening.”
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Twitching ears mean that your cat is extremely happy and content. This can be a sign of relaxation or affection for their owner, another animal, or even a toy.
When you see your kitty’s ear twitching, go ahead and give them a scratch—you’re sure to get some purrs!
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Understanding cat body language is a form of nonverbal communication. Cats use their bodies to communicate with other cats, but they also use body language to communicate with humans. In fact, the way you interpret your cat’s body language can help you better understand her behavior and how she feels about different situations.
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You may be wondering what the difference between cat ears and dog ears is. The answer is simple: dogs have floppy ears that move around, while cats have pointy ears that tend to stay still. This is because cats are predatory animals, whereas dogs are more like prey animals. Dogs will often tilt their heads when they’re interested in something, but cats will not do this because it could give away their location and make them vulnerable to predators. Cat ear positioning is an important part of understanding your pet’s moods, so let’s take a look at some of the most common positions!
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In conclusion, cat ear language is a fascinating set of cat facts that can help you better understand your pet. It’s important to remember that there are many different types of nonverbal language in cats, so it’s good to know what each one means. If you find yourself struggling with the interpretation of your cat’s ears, try some of these tips!
This article originally appeared on Blog.catbandit.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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