Tuna fish can be found in many cat foods and treats. Here are a few things your mom can try to make that kidney diet more palatable: You also need to stay hydrated. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. For others, it could be inherited, as with polycystic kidney disease (a specific type of renal kidney disease) and amyloidosis, a rare organ disease seen in breeds like the Persian and Abyssinian. When compared with normal maintenance adult cat food, a kidney support diet contains less protein, sodium, and phosphorus, and increased omega-3 fatty acids. Some tuna now and then probably won't hurt. Giving your cat wet food will ensure it gets enough water when it eats. That's true even for the onion powder that's found in some baby foods. So now theyre sick and not eating well, and made to eat a diet that you dont particularly like. Radiographs or abdominal ultrasound to screen for kidney stones, infarcts (areas of dead tissue), and cysts. Due to water pollution, all fish and shellfish contain some mercury. That the advice was understandable and can be easily applied. Knead the dough and roll it out to 1/4 inch thickness. Thiaminase. If youre concerned about the health risks of canned tuna, its recommended that you get some tuna-flavored cat food. Its OK to treat your cat with a few chunks of canned tuna, but this should be in addition to its regular meals. Limiting dietary phosphorus in cats with CKD appears to help delay the progression of CKD, although the precise mechanism is unknown. Their digestive system cannot process dairy foods, and the result can be digestive upset with diarrhea. 5. These diets are formulated to help cats with CKD avoid metabolic acidosis and are available from your veterinarian. No matter how cautious you are, it's possible your cat can find and swallow what it shouldn't. Go for canned wet food that is high quality and all natural. It's important to be aware of your potassium because your kidneys can't filter it. Sodium. Rabbit is fairly strong-tasting and low in phosphorous, so its a healthy alternative to tuna fish for cats. 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. 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. "Firstly that the specific topic(s) were covered. However, we now know that cats with kidney disease are in pain, not only from their kidney disease, but also from arthritis. Consomm contains too much sodium. ", Petalia.com: "Human Foods That Poison Pets. What could be wrong with offering your cat a saucer of milk or a piece of cheese? It can be used for early detection of kidney disease. Unless cats have bloody stool or vomit, antacids arent really going to help with inappetence or nausea. Both fat and bones may be dangerous for cats. If needed, adding water, tuna juice, or low sodium chicken broth may increase the flavor and acceptance. 3. I just dont want to eat much anymore. One supplement we have that can drastically improve your cats kidney function and revitalize their kidneys is Kidney Restore For Cats & Dogs. Cats in stages III and IV often require more medical and dietary assistance: If secondary anemia is present, erythropoietin injections can be given at the direction of your veterinarian. Keeping food items where your cat can't get to them and keeping pantry and cupboard doors closed will help protect your cat from serious food-related illness. But it's not just the water or liquid that the tuna is sitting in that can be problematic. In addition to standard renal diet features, this food is formulated with glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health support. "If theyre not eating, the best thing to feed them is anything theyll eat," Dr. Weigner tells me. Log in 24/7 to access your pets health care information. Canned tuna is not a balanced meal because it contains low levels of taurine. Raw tuna contains thiaminase, which is an enzyme that destroys thiamine (vitamin B1.). Ingredients such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are common in pain relievers and cold medicine. Over time, cats can develop an unhealthy addiction to tuna. ", Today. There are a variety of potential causes for CRF, including diseases such as feline leukemia, tumors, infections, and various toxins. She might even put a dab of food on your paw. One consequence of CKD is a decreased ability of the kidneys to concentrate the urine. 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. To limit your cats exposure to toxins, keep lilies out of the home and block off access to the garage, household cleaners, and medications. 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. Most veterinarians will recommend annual bloodwork for cats that are seven years of age and older. Not sure what signs of pain to look for? Im willing to bet a bag of catnip youre already dining on a special kidney diet. Fat, both cooked and uncooked, can cause intestinal upset, with vomiting and diarrhea. Any suggestions on yummy high-calorie treats that are safe for a kidney kitty? The first is the possibility of food poisoning from bacteria like salmonella or E. coli. My assistant has seen an improvement in her renal cats by giving the supplement red deer antler velvet. While tuna is fine for cats in moderation or as a treat, too much canned tuna can be bad for your cat. Start by selecting food that will help your cats kidneys improve and adjusting your cats diet. Farmed tuna contains lower levels of mercury than wild-caught fish. Garlic and onions they cause Heinz hemolytic anemia. 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. As more manufacturers include calorie content information on pet food labels, explains the Association of American Feed Control Officials, an organization that uses science-based evidence to develop pet food standards, "It is easier to determine how many calories are being fed to an animal per day." You can opt for a lower-level mercury product, but choose chunk light tuna. ", My buddy Dr. Drew Weigner, an exclusively feline veterinarian in Atlanta, says, "As far as homemade treats, anything low in protein and sodium should be fine in moderation, but that excludes most things cats like! Diseased kidneys are not as effective at excreting waste products from the body through the urine. 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. Grapes or raisins, since they can cause kidney damage even in healthy cats. There are new blood tests available, like the SDMA (symmetric dimethylarginine) test, that are much more sensitive than the old tests for kidney disease. If you notice any of the signs above, take your cat to a veterinarian for examination as soon as possible. In addition, when the yeast ferments the dough to make it rise, it produces alcohol that can lead to alcohol poisoning. References However, canned tuna is high in sodium. Cats cannot survive without their kidneys. Got a question for he who knows everything feline? Oftentimes, they will require kidney medication for cats, like Amlodipine, to lower blood pressure. Symptoms include deformed bones, bone growths on the elbows and spine, and osteoporosis. The recommended phosphorus range on a dry matter basis for cats with CKD is 0.3-0.6%. A steady diet of dog food can cause your cat to be severely malnourished. Tuna fish can be found in many cat foods and treats. Urine specific gravity: a marker of how diluted or concentrated the urine is. The systemic effects and long-term implications, however, can certainly be debilitating and often lead to painful conditions. (5) Jupiter Images Unlimited and Dorling Kindersley / Getty, (9) Jupiter Images Unlimited and Dorling Kindersley / Getty, (14)Dorling Kindersley / Getty and iStockphoto, (16)Cultura / Getty and Jupiter Images Unlimited, (17)Jupiter Images Unlimited and Photlibrary, (18)FoodPix and Dorling Kindersley / Getty, , PetEducation.com: "Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Cat. 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? While the other kitties in the house may think your kidney cuisine is positively delectable, you turn your nose up at it. Im an old cat; I mean really old 24, to be exact. They love the powerful smell and the robust flavor of this fish, and a spoonful of tuna has been known to make the medicine go down easily. The water should be changed daily, especially if you add flavor to it. Just Ask Einstein in the comments below and you might be featured in an upcoming column. Consuming this food could lead to dehydration and urinary problems, especially in senior cats. Her work also appears in Care.com, What to Expect, and Fit Pregnancy, where she writes about pets, pregnancy, and family life. SDMA can catch changes when only 25 percent of kidney function is lost, giving cats a better chance to respond to treatment. Tuna allergy symptoms include intense scratching, flatulence, hyperactivity, and vomiting. Nonetheless, one main issue in tuna is mercury toxicity. The question came in from one of our clients who was puzzled about how to feed tuna to their cat with kidney disease. In practice we have found no drawbacks to accommodating these cats with dry kidney diets. Contact. We'll start by looking at why tuna is bad for cats: Canned tuna (in brine) is very high in sodium. It may be necessary to work with your veterinarian as you start making your homemade food for cats with kidney disease . ", PetWare web site: "Lactose Intolerance in Cats. Phosphorous. Probiotics can also help settle the belly, especially if youre taking antibiotics. Caffeine in large enough quantities can be fatal for a cat. You may not have to switch to a therapeutic kidney diet (aka prescription cat food) just yet, however. So, can cats eat tuna? An occasional taste of cooked boneless beef or brown rice can be an OK treat. When I was a youngster of 20, my equally elderly owner went into a nursing home and I found myself on death row. Dietary omega-3 fatty acids help reduce the production of inflammatory compounds that create oxidative stress to the tissue of the diseased kidneys, thus contributing to slowed progression of CKD. Internal medicine specialist Dr. Kelly St. Denis, DVM, DABVP, presented the latest and greatest advances in kidney care at a recent Fetch dvm360 veterinary conference. 2023 SeniorCatWellness.com. Shop / A diet that is high in phosphorous will speed up the development of kidney disease. Do Cats Understand Human Smiles And Facial Expressions? That way, your cat will benefit from the high levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in tuna but will still be eating a nutritionally balanced meal. 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. Dominican Republic - Repblica Dominicana, Greater China - Hong Kong SAR (English), World Small Animal Veterinary Association, human foods are converted to kitty calories, Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University, Association of American Feed Control Officials, Foods that are Dangerous or Toxic to Cats. This is great news for cat parents, as more information can lead to more informed decisions about food, and ultimately better health for their cat. Additionally, try to stick to foods with low levels of phosphorous, since too much phosphorous can worsen kidney problems. In turn, eating too much tuna can cause your cat to gain significant weight, especially when fed in addition to their normal cat food. Mom needs to check the label to make sure its safe for you to eat. Fish like halibut, tuna, cod, and snapper tend to be high in potassium. If you have kidney disease, it's important to watch your intake of sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. Usually, the higher the number, the more concentrated the urine and the greater the ability of the kidneys to conserve water. 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. Tuna is high in mercury, a toxic metal. ", VeterinaryPartner.com: "Feline Mysteries.". {"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":"