A cat during an ultrasound exam.
If your cat's creatinine levels continue to rise despite your best efforts, it may be time to rethink your approach.
Stage 2 kidney disease may seem uneventful—many cats appear fine on the outside. But this stage is deceptive. Without the right care, kidney damage can accelerate quickly and silently. What caregivers do now determines whether the disease progresses—or stays under control.
Greycoat Research: Data-Backed Care for Kidney Cats
Since 2024, Greycoat Research has provided over 1,000 kidney care consultations for cats worldwide. Our approach is based on real-world caregiver data and guided by expert insights:
- Supplement consultations based on research by Dr. Toru Miyazaki of the Institute for AIM Medicine
- Practical guidance from Dr. Kim Jae-young, caregiver of Korea’s oldest cat (Minky, age 28)
- Clinical insights from Dr. Motoo Kobayashi, with 30 years of experience in feline kidney care
- Supplement and fluid therapy tips from clinical pharmacy expert Dr. Shin Yeong-gon
The right interventions during stage 2 can slow kidney decline and protect your cat’s future. These three areas are essential to getting it right:
1. Renal Diet
A cat about to eat some renal food.
From stage 2 onward, your cat’s diet becomes essential. If their creatinine level is over 1.6, there’s a good chance more than 70% of kidney function has already been lost. At this stage, switching to a renal diet with reduced protein, phosphorus, and sodium is critical to help ease the strain on your cat’s kidneys.
- Are you still feeding your cat high-protein food?
- Is your cat eating too many snacks?
A well-managed renal diet is a simple yet effective solution that has helped stabilize kidney values in many cats. If your cat refuses renal food, don’t give up! Start by blending a small amount into their usual food and slowly increase the ratio. Palatable supplements or feeding smaller portions more often can also make the transition easier.
2. Supplements
A cat with kidney disease about to take her supplements.
There’s no cure for kidney disease—and waiting too long to act can allow irreversible damage to progress. Many caregivers rely solely on phosphate and uremic toxin binders at this stage, but binders alone won’t hold the disease back. Stage 2 kidney disease is the critical window to begin targeted supplements before the kidneys decline further:
- AIM Supplements: Activates AIM protein to remove kidney waste, a leading cause of kidney inflammation
- Probiotics: Reduce gut-derived toxins and regulate inflammation
- Omega-3: Improve blood flow to the kidneys and reduce inflammation
This combination follows the AIM protocol developed by Dr. Miyazaki and has been clinically proven to support kidney health in cats across Japan and Korea.
3. Subcutaneous Fluids
A cat receiving subcutaneous fluid therapy.
Many caregivers hesitate to start subcutaneous fluids—worried that it will stress their cat or afraid they won’t be able to handle it themselves. But subcutaneous fluid therapy can make a real difference, especially when values begin to worsen or stage 3 is approaching.
While fluids aren’t always necessary in stage 2, they can help when kidney values begin to worsen. If stage 3 is near, it’s a good time to learn how to give your cat subcutaneous fluid therapy. Fluids help dilute toxins, ease kidney strain, and may improve kidney levels. Greycoat Research recommends that owners begin with in-clinic treatment, and then transition to giving fluids at home with vet guidance.
Greycoat Research has provided consultation to many caregivers who found the transition to home fluids easier than expected. With the right support and a little practice, fluid therapy is something many first-time caregivers learn to do successfully. As such, owners should monitor their cat's kidney levels and make plans for home subcutaneous fluid therapy in advance.
Stage 2: A Turning Point for Kidney Disease
Proper and timely kidney disease care helps cats and owners stay happy together.
Stage 2 kidney disease can’t be reversed—but this may be your best window to slow its progression. If missed, kidney function may decline rapidly, causing your cat intense pain and leading to hospitalization. But with early action, it’s possible to stabilize your cat’s condition.
Greycoat Research’s 1,000+ consultation cases show that proactive care makes a difference. Even small steps now can lead to better days ahead.
Start today—one step at a time—and contact Greycoat Research for a free, personalized, 1:1 consultation.
