Fish is a great source of protein, but there are a few reasons why a steady diet of human-grade canned tuna can cause health problems for your cat. A blood pressure evaluation to determine if high blood pressure can be a cause or manifestation of kidney disease. Nonetheless, one main, Adding other kidney-friendly foods into their diet can bring the additional flavor. Not sure what signs of pain to look for? It consists of cysts developing within a kidney and leads to progressive kidney failure. Higher values can often indicate kidney failure. ~ The most important thing nutritionally for a cat with CKD is that they consume a reasonable amount of calories from a reasonable quality food or foods. Let Catster answer all of your most baffling feline questions! Cats cannot survive without their kidneys. Cut into small shapes and bake on a baking sheet at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for roughly 15-20 minutes. Its OK to treat your cat with a few chunks of canned tuna, but this should be in addition to its regular meals. Delicious roasted chicken and rice in a mouthwatering sauce. It may be necessary to work with your veterinarian as you start making your homemade food for cats with kidney disease . FEEDING CATS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE: FOOD OPTIONS. Already have a myVCA account? Phosphorus: 0.3 to 0.6 percent. A well-balanced meal plan for cats includes protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Contact. Phosphorus. Monitoring food consumption is very important when managing your cat's health. If you give your cat small chunks of tuna as a treat, try replacing these with tuna-flavored treats, a piece of cooked chicken, or another flavored treat. But the fact that they'll walk away from a piece of bad meat doesn't mean they'll bypass an open can of tuna. You may find that some cats are disinterested in tuna, but they will usually be the exception to the rule. And never give your cat any over-the-counter medicine unless advised to do so by your vet. Cats are experts at hiding illness. Due to water pollution, all fish and shellfish contain some mercury. Why Do Some Cats Hang Their Heads Over Their Water Bowls? 2. Adding other kidney-friendly foods into their diet can bring the additional flavor. Sodium. Cats with kidney problems like chronic kidney disease need to maintain a special diet to stay healthy and manage their symptoms. Can I give my cat canned tuna? To encourage more water intake, change your pets water several times a day, clean your pets water bowl daily, and consider the use of a running water fountain to increase water interest. There are three pet food lines that have products that are very effective for CKD management: Hills Prescription Diet is the best, and Purina Veterinary Diets and Royal Canin are decent alternatives. Arthritis is really common in older cats, and grossly underreported in the pet feline population because cats hide their pain, and owners are unfamiliar with the signs of pain in cats. If protein intake is too low however, CKD will start to break down muscle mass. The protein in this fish is rich in thiamine, an anti-inflammatory. 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. Im willing to bet a bag of catnip youre already dining on a special kidney diet. This can cause skin problems as well as problems with your cat's coat. The old tests, BUN and creatinine, don't show any changes until 70 to 80 percent of kidney function is lost. Over time, cats can develop an unhealthy addiction to tuna. How to Maximize the Nutritional Benefits of Tuna. 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. they are known to cause acute kidney failure in dogs. The simple answer is that cats are attracted to tuna. Fortunately, a nice lady fell in love with me and took me home with her. . Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. Your mom can always boil a chicken for broth and share a treat of meat with you (if your vet says okie dokey). These are as follows: Although cats with kidney disease benefit from quality, digestible protein, canned tuna is unsuitable because it is high in phosphorous. Select Your Region (opens a modal dialog), 2021 Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. As used herein, denotes registered trademark status in the U.S. only; registration status in other geographies may be different. Chronic renal failure (CRF), renal insufficiency, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are medical terms used interchangeably to describe the same condition. Eating too much too often can do the same thing to cats that it does to humans. It also serves to reduce the effects of renal (kidney) secondary hyperparathyroidism. These diets are formulated to help cats with CKD avoid metabolic acidosis and are available from your veterinarian. It is important to follow your veterinarians recommendations if she suggests starting annual bloodwork to check for signs of hidden feline kidney disease. Moreover, tuna-flavored cat food still smells and tastes like tuna, so its ideal for cats that crave tuna or cats with a poor appetite. Avoid tuna in brine and opt for tuna in water instead. Featured Image: iStock.com/Phynart Studio Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? Your veterinarian will most likely recommend additional diagnostic testing, including: A urine protein to creatinine (UPC) ratio to quantify how much protein is being lost in the urine. If this is a problem in your cat, ask your veterinarian about a new drug called Semintra, which can help normalize blood pressure in cats that arent responding well to Amlodipine. Ask a Vet: Can You Save a Cat with Kidney Disease? She can ask your vet about some prescription appetite stimulants like cyproheptidine or Mirtazipine and anti-nausea meds or antacids. If you are giving tuna in moderation, then it can be a healthy treat for most cats. Do not feed your kitty canned tuna as a substitute to its usual cat food. It could also be attributed to underlying immune-mediated diseases, stroke-like events, clotting disorders, and even cancers like lymphoma. Does cat food contain too much mercury, and should we be concerned about mercury poisoning from seafood-based cat foods? Learn the 18 most common symptoms for cats and what situations are an emergency. Its Ok To Give Cats Tuna As A Treat. While the other kitties in the house may think your kidney cuisine is positively delectable, you turn your nose up at it. Her work also appears in Care.com, What to Expect, and Fit Pregnancy, where she writes about pets, pregnancy, and family life. . Here are some tips for identifying the subtle signs of pain in cats and talking with your veterinarian about making sure your cat is pain-free. A few things that do not appear in the veterinary textbooks or on the food label, that we have learned over years of managing cats with CKD: ~ Ideally the pet would be fed only canned food because of the benefit of higher moisture content. The safest way to feed your cat tuna is to offer them tuna-based cat food. Cats in stages I and II may often be monitored for further progression of signs, and some may be given a prescription diet specifically geared to help the kidneys by limiting the amount of work they have to do. When compared with normal maintenance adult cat food, a kidney support diet contains less protein, sodium, and phosphorus, and increased omega-3 fatty acids. You've probably seen or heard countless stories of cats loving fish, but as far as cats eating tuna goes, is it really a good idea? Symptoms of caffeine poisoning include restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, and muscle tremors. Remember the saying, "Honest as a cat when the meat's out of reach." This is a very essential vitamin for your cat as it supports the following health functions: Immune system Nervous system Digestive tract Onion in all forms -- powdered, raw, cooked, or dehydrated -- can break down a cat's red blood cells, leading to anemia. Did you know that the kidneys secrete a hormone that regulates blood pressure? Cats shouldnt be fed canned tuna in oil or brine. . Drugs prescribed in the future for any other disease process will need to be tailored or substituted for a more kidney-friendly alternative, given that kidney metabolism will be decreased. There are some healthy treats for cats with kidney disease and it's ok to offer it this. Other brands are not worth considering, and it is not possible to duplicate the benefits of these CKD diets with a home-cooked diet. "Most of these cats are forced to eat renal diets, which are low in protein (of course). Consuming this food could lead to dehydration and urinary problems, especially in senior cats. Tuna on its own is not nutritionally balanced. Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA): an additional test to help determine if kidney disease is present. When I was a youngster of 20, my equally elderly owner went into a nursing home and I found myself on death row. However, canned tuna is high in sodium. CURRENT OPTIONS FOR KIDNEY DISEASE DIETS FOR CATS . 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. 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.. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using products based on this content. In addition, an enzyme in raw fish destroys thiamine, which is an essential B vitamin for your cat. The problem is that tuna is naturally very high in mercury. 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. In the wild, this instinct can protect them from predators or other cats that might be a threat. Additionally, for all stages of kidney disease, fresh water should always be available. You can opt for a lower-level mercury product, but choose chunk light tuna. Therefore, tuna should not be fed as your cat's primary source of nutrition. Cats instinctively prefer food thats the body temperature of a mouse. Among the many edible species of fish, tuna is not good for your dog with kidney disease. Waste products are normally filtered out of the blood by the kidneys and excreted in the urine, but cats with CKD will end up with an accumulation of these waste products in the bloodstream as the filtering process breaks down. In addition to tea and coffee -- including beans and grounds -- caffeine can be found in cocoa, chocolate, colas, and stimulant drinks such as Red Bull. It can be used for early detection of kidney disease. Canned tuna (in brine) is very high in sodium (salt). Advanced Acacia / Commercial diets for cats with CKD are developed to prioritize these key goals. Get tips and exclusive deals. Your mom might want to have your vet check you out. But cat food is specially formulated for a cat's needs, which include more protein as well as certain vitamins and fatty acids. Cats love tuna fish for its powerful smell and robust flavor. Water. Tuna is a decent food option for cats with kidney disease if served in moderation. Amyloidosis, seen primarily in Persians and Abyssians, is an inherited condition that causes abnormal protein deposits that lead to kidney damage. Commercially available kidney support diets tend to be quite palatable because it is so important for these cats to eat in a way that slows the progression of their CKD. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. Do Cats Understand Human Smiles And Facial Expressions? It isnt easy to say no to a cat when its begging for its favorite fish-based food. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Oftentimes, they will require kidney medication for cats, like Amlodipine, to lower blood pressure. Before it's baked, bread dough needs to rise. It's important to be aware of your potassium because your kidneys can't filter it. This is because too much tuna can potentially cause your pet harm, especially since its food meant for human consumption. Some cats that experience acute kidney insults can recover, although there may be long-term effects that can lead to chronic kidney failure. So since safe treats wont help you pack on the pounds, your human needs to make your food more exciting. It's worth noting that toxins such as mercury, lead and thallium can damage the kidneys; tuna and other fish can contain all three heavy metals. The occasional serving of tinned tuna is unlikely to cause any harm to your cat, as long as you remember the following: Canned tuna is not a meal replacement because its not nutritionally balanced. And a cat can choke on a bone. It has a unique flavor that is different from white-fleshed fish. Drinking should be encouraged and adequate nutrition should be given daily. Im an old cat; I mean really old 24, to be exact. Ask Einstein: Im a Cat with Kidney Disease; What Can I Eat? Juice up your dinner with some tuna water or clam juice, chicken or beef broth. Dont serve cold food. Repeated vomiting and hyperactivity are early signs. They do have many of the same ingredients. Congenital kidney dysplasia is a condition that leads to small, nonfunctional, or underdeveloped kidneys. The most dangerous kinds, though, are dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate. Some tuna now and then probably won't hurt. They need to consume a lot of water on a regular basis to stay healthy. Follow your vets instructions when feeding your cat so your cats condition improves. In turn, eating too much tuna can cause your cat to gain significant weight, especially when fed in addition to their normal cat food. If you have kidney disease, it's important to watch your intake of sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. The toxic agent in chocolate is theobromine. This in turn helps to maintain a reasonable blood pressure. Nonetheless, one main issue in tuna is mercury toxicity. Is Watermelon Good For Dogs With Kidney Disease? Vitamin A toxicity can also cause death. 5. ~ Ideally the pet would eat only kidney diet, but we have managed many cats with CKD that did very well when fed some kidney diet and some non-kidney diet. On the pounds, your human needs to rise im an old cat ; mean. Kidney function is lost answer is that tuna is to offer them tuna-based cat food too. A kidney and leads to progressive kidney failure in dogs, your human needs rise... 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