Home | Lifestyle | Pets & Animals | Feline Kidney Disease | How to Prevent Feline Kidney Disease

How to Prevent Feline Kidney Disease

by Liisa Sullivan

Overview

According to the Feline Chronic Renal Insufficiency Center, more cats die due to feline kidney disease than any other condition. While there are no guarantees that you will prevent the disease completely, there are steps you can take to minimize and in some cases, even prevent feline kidney disease.

Step 1

Give your cat access to fresh water. Many cats are not big fans of water, especially if it is stale and has been sitting in their bowl for long periods of time. This is one of the reasons why cats are often caught drinking from bathroom faucet drips or caught with their head in the toilet bowl taking a few sips. These water sources provide water that is circulating. There are some fountains that you can purchase to make drinking water more attractive to your cat. (See resource below.) There are also subcutaneous fluids (SQ) that can be administered to your cat. These are fluids that are administered through a needle inserted under the cat's skin. These must be prescribed by a vet.
Step 2

Examine the cat's diet. Studies have been done by the Veterinary Information Network that prove diets low in phosphorus lead to less kidney disease in felines. Many commercial foods have high levels of phosphorus. Ask your vet to recommend a food that is low in phosphorus. According to animal disease experts, phosphorus levels should not exceed 0.41 percent. Diets should also be low in protein, high in carbohydrates and fat.
Step 3

Keep your cat away from toxins. The best way to do this is to keep your cat indoors. Toxins are substances such as antifreeze that can be found in many home garages. Make sure to safely secure any such items and keep them away from your cat. If your cat prefers to spend time outdoors, put him on a leash and let him allow the fresh air. He will be safer in the long run.
Step 4

Go natural. Holistic solutions are also an option in trying to prevent feline kidney disease. Your vet can offer some remedies. The most common will be a natural raw diet with some dietary supplements and vitamins.
Step 5

Bring your cat to the vet annually. This way if there is an onset of kidney disease, you may be able to take some steps to prevent additional damage or to slow the process. In addition, if you observe any change in behavior such as difficulty urinating, bring your cat to the vet right away.