Hello, I’m Alex Shin, a pharmacist at Greycoat Research.
When your cat drinks a lot of water, you may think, “At least my cat is staying hydrated.”

But cats with CKD can still become dehydrated, even when they drink a lot.

Why does this happen?

Healthy kidneys help concentrate urine and conserve water.
As CKD progresses, these abilities can decline.

This can create a cycle:

Drink more water
→ Produce more dilute urine
→ Lose more fluid
→ Become thirsty and drink more

At the same time, the kidneys may become less efficient at clearing waste from the blood.
So your cat may be losing too much fluid while waste is still building up in the blood.
If dehydration worsens, blood flow to the kidneys can also decrease.
This may cause creatinine and BUN to rise even further.

Electrolytes matter too

The kidneys also help control electrolytes in the body.
When a cat urinates more, the balance of electrolytes such as potassium can also change.

If your cat is eating less or vomiting, the risk of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance can increase. Ask your veterinarian to check your cat’s hydration status and electrolyte levels.

If creatinine rises above 2.4 mg/dL

If your cat’s creatinine rises above 2.4 mg/dL and continues to trend upward,
it may be time to pay closer attention to hydration. Wet food can help. Adding extra water to meals can also help.

But for some cats, even plenty of water and moisture from food may not fully replace the fluid they lose. In these cases, subcutaneous fluids may help.

Subcutaneous fluids can help replace lost fluid and maintain hydration.
Talk to your veterinarian about whether subcutaneous fluids may be right for your cat.

If so, ask your veterinarian to show you how to give them at home.

Support hydration and kidney health together

Subcutaneous fluids help replace lost fluid. But hydration support and kidney support have different roles.

As CKD progresses, hydration and daily nutritional support should go hand in hand.

Greycoat Research recommends:

• Greycoat Dr. Toru
  AIM-based kidney care
• Greycoat Intensive
  Cellular and mitochondrial support for kidney health

Replace lost fluid. Support kidney health every day.

Drinking more water does not always mean your cat is well hydrated.
Keep an eye on their appetite, weight, urine output, and overall condition, too.

We hope these small daily checks help you support your cat’s comfort and well-being, so you can enjoy more good days together.

Alex Shin
Pharmacist
Greycoat Research

[Educational Disclaimer]

This content is provided for general educational and informational purposes only.
It is not intended as a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Please consult your veterinarian regarding your cat’s health and before making any changes to your cat’s diet, supplements, or care routine.