You may have heard of kidney disease and cats and how common it is. In this week’s blog I break it down.
What do kidneys do?
Kidneys filter waste from the body, produce urine and assist in normal blood pressure amongst other things
How is it diagnosed?
Blood examination from blood tests and urinalysis (checking urine from a urine sample). An increase in creatinine of the bloods is checked. Creatinine is a waste product that is filtered out by healthy kidneys. A vet may perform a cystocentesis where they take urine directly from the bladder or non absorbent cat litter such as this may be an option. speak to your vet. Obviously if you live in a home with more than one cat you need to know who’s urine is who’s. Urine can also be checked for bacteria and crystals too.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Symptoms can include drinking more, weight loss and vomiting as well as urinating more. In the initial stages symptoms may be subtle. High blood pressure can lead to blindness. It is common in older cats, that’s why If a cat is 10 years and older it is recommended that they go to the vets twice per year and screening should start from age 7.
Other conditions such as the below may develop or exacerbate chronic kidney disease (Taylor et., al 2026):
Hyperthyroidism – symptoms can include a dull coat, weight loss, increase in thirst and eating
Excess blood proteins - found during blood and urine analysis following a urine challenge such as blood in the urine and small amounts
Ureteral obstructions - symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, straining in the litter tray
Calcium stones can be caused by diet changes, and risk factors included neutered males, and those who are obese.
Is there any information on breeds to be aware of?
38 % of Persian cats worldwide have an inherited disease- Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. There a genetic tests available so that these cats are no bred from https://www.langfordvets.co.uk/diagnostic-laboratories/cat-genetic-testing/genetic-disease-and-trait-tests/polycystic-kidney-disease/
What treatment options are there?
There may be diets available – a cat should always eat alone not around other cats
Medication
Increasing water intake – this is a popular fountain https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brook-All-Glass-Pet-Fountain/dp/B0D5DP2V53
Fluid therapy
If you’d like to read more here are some useful websites and books
https://icatcare.org/resources/cat-carer-guide-managing-chronic-kidney-disease-in-cats.pdf
2026 iCatCare consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of chronic kidney disease in cats
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1098612X261466553
Sarah Caney, Caring for a cat with chronic kidney disease