What Is Feline CKD?
Feline CKD is a disease in which cats gradually lose their kidney functions. According to the findings of Greycoat Research, 68% of all cats over the age of 7 end up being diagnosed with feline CKD. There have even been instances of cats being diagnosed with CKD at ages as young as 2. This is because cats are genetically vulnerable to CKD, meaning that it is a question of when, and not if.
IRIS Staging of Feline CKD
Greycoat Research's Guide to Feline CKD Care
As kidney cells are (mostly) incapable of regenerating or recovering, damage done to the kidneys is generally permanent. Thus, cats with damaged kidneys must live with them forever.
Of course, proper and dedicated kidney management can lead to a temporary improvement in blood test results. But these results do not indicate actual regeneration or recovery. However, proper care can prevent kidneys from taking further generation, and keep them functioning at their current level, allowing cats to retain their energy levels.
Greycoat Research’s aim is to prevent damaged kidneys from taking even more damage, thereby preserving kidney functions so that afflicted cats can still enjoy a happier and more energetic quality of life.
*The supplements and care your cat needs may differ depending on their current stage of kidney disease and health conditions.
*As feline CKD continues to progress and worsen, each higher stage necessitates more careful management and the administration of more supplements. As symptoms of feline CKD only really become prominent once a cat is in Stage 2 of the disease, it is imperative that owners begin providing preemptive care even if their cats have yet to show any tangible symptoms of CKD.
Preemptive Daily Care for Cats
“Cats are genetically more vulnerable to CKD. Therefore, we recommend giving them the supplements they need in advance.”
Due to the very nature of feline CKD, the best way to care for the disease is by taking preemptive measures to manage it.
As cats are genetically vulnerable to CKD, preventing them from developing the disease in the first place may prove impossible. Furthermore, CKD itself is very difficult to detect, as its symptoms remain invisible until it’s too late. Most cats with CKD are only diagnosed with CKD after they have already reached stage 2 of the disease.
Therefore, early, preemptive kidney management through supplements can greatly improve and maintain your cat’s quality of life. The ideal age for periodic kidney management for cats is around the age of 2. If your cat’s SDMA levels already exceed 10, you should take steps to manage their condition more actively, even if they have yet to be properly diagnosed with CKD.
So, What Can You Do?
According to Greycoat Research’s data, early detection allows for more effective kidney management and care. This, in turn, helps delay the progress of the disease and allows cats to enjoy better health and energy for a longer period of time.
It is crucial to understand the symptoms so you can take the proper steps in advance.
Increase Water Intake
Proper hydration habits can provide a modicum of help in preserving kidney health in cats. If your cat refuses to drink water regularly, it may be a good idea to put them on a wet food diet.
While water intake itself isn’t enough to improve kidney functions or prevent feline CKD, proper water intake management is still crucial, as cats, by nature, are generally indisposed to drinking enough water.
Regular Exercise and Hunting Sessions
Regular exercise and play-hunting sessions not only keep cats active and fit, but also gets cats to drink water more frequently. A diverse and balanced set of activities can help cats maintain their kidney functions. Therefore, it is important to engage in daily activities with your cats and keep an eye on how they respond to playtime (e.g. their interest levels).
Supplements
The right supplements can enable owners to manage their cats’ kidney health in advance, even if their cats have yet to be diagnosed with CKD. Among the supplements, those that provide AIM-based or antioxidant care are especially crucial.
- AIM Dr. Toru Protocol is an amino acid complex supplement that allows you to care for your cat’s kidneys by helping them expel waste, one of the leading causes of inflammation, from their bodies.
- Intensive Protocol is a kidney health supplement with excellent antioxidant properties designed to help cells stay healthy. Though the supplement is not absolutely necessary for your cat, administering it to cats over the age of 3 can help you manage their kidney health in advance.
- Probiotics Protocol is a probiotic supplement that aims to manage inflammation and reduce your cat’s ammonia and uremic toxin levels.
Administering Greycoat Research’s supplements alongside other prescribed medications or supplements may result in a mutual interaction between their ingredients. As such, we advise owners to contact us for a free consultation so we can work with you to come up with the ideal feeding schedule for your cat.
Guide to Maintaining Health Kidney Functions
- Daily play-hunting sessions (twice a day, at least 10 minutes per session)
- Proper administration of supplements
- Weighing (at least once a month)
- Periodic health checkups (once a year)
*Please make sure your cat periodically receives basic checkups, such as blood tests (including SDMA tests).