A kidney support diet for cats with CKD will contain the following key components on a dry matter basis: Your veterinarian will help you choose an appropriate formulation for your cat. ", Petalia.com: "Human Foods That Poison Pets. Cats with kidney problems like chronic kidney disease need to maintain a special diet to stay healthy and manage their symptoms. Is tuna bad for cats with kidney problems? Sometimes, all that is needed in the beginning is to switch to a high-quality senior diet. Anemia Due to Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats, Kidney Disease Caused by Multiple Cysts in Cats, Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats: Monitoring Nutrition is Essential. A urine culture, because cats with CKD are more likely to acquire urinary tract infections. Although most cats won't eat it on their own, they can be coaxed to eat it by owners and others who think they are giving the cat a treat. Featured Image: iStock.com/Phynart Studio Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? Im an old cat; I mean really old 24, to be exact. 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.. According to Taylor and Francis, these symptoms can be caused by a tuna-rich diet: These symptoms can be due to other factors besides overeating canned tuna. ", PetWare web site: "Lactose Intolerance in Cats. Some tuna now and then probably won't hurt. 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. Cats love eating tuna fish. Delicious roasted chicken and rice in a mouthwatering sauce. But dog food is not a substitute for cat food. Some tuna now and then probably won't hurt. In turn, eating too much tuna can cause your cat to gain significant weight, especially when fed in addition to their normal cat food. Unlike processed, tuna-flavored cat food, real tuna does not contain preservatives, coloring, fish meal, additives, or other synthetic chemicals that can damage cat's organs and digestive system. Based on the cause, additional therapy may be instituted, such as: Aggressive IV antibiotics, if infection is present, Immunosuppressive-type drugs for auto-immune diseases, Antithrombotics (to prevent blood clot formation), Chemotherapy and/or surgery (if cancer is part of the underlying cause). In fact, you may be surprised to learn some of the common foods your cats should never eat. Raw meat and raw fish, like raw eggs, can contain bacteria that cause food poisoning. You may find that some cats are disinterested in tuna, but they will usually be the exception to the rule. Due to technological advancements, the most beneficial component of tuna (docosahexaenoic acid) can now be found in other foods. CURRENT OPTIONS FOR KIDNEY DISEASE DIETS FOR CATS . Your mom might want to have your vet check you out. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. These are as follows: Kidney Problems Although cats with kidney disease benefit from quality, digestible protein, canned tuna is unsuitable because it is high in phosphorous. If your cat has low potassium levels due to kidney issues, your vet may suggest a potassium supplement for your cat. Rabbit is fairly strong-tasting and low in phosphorous, so its a healthy alternative to tuna fish for cats. 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." Tuna is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Some cats may become extremely fussy about food and refuse to eat anything besides tuna. 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. There are different types of kidney disease in cats and various underlying causes. MSNBC.com: "'People Foods' That Can Kill Your Pet. Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Healthy Kidney Inc. and Robert Galarowicz, unless otherwise noted. In order to continue to rid the body of its toxins despite more dilute urine, the body compensates by stimulating greater thirst. (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. However, its unlikely that the occasional portion would cause any health problems. About our Ads. For tips from our Veterinary co-author on how to add supplements to your cat's diet, read on! And that can of tuna can be just as dangerous. Urine sediment: indicates the presence of protein, bacteria, white/red blood cells, kidney cells and casts. Their digestive system cannot process dairy foods, and the result can be digestive upset with diarrhea. 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. 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. The most dangerous kinds, though, are dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate. Your vet should also instruct you on how often you should feed your cat the prescription cat food. These statements have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Due to water pollution, all fish and shellfish contain some mercury. Ask your vet about Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline Cat Treats and Vetri-Science Renal Essentials Feline Bite-Sized Cat Chews. The old belief was to restrict protein in cats with kidney disease, but now veterinarians know better. The protein in this fish is rich in thiamine, an anti-inflammatory. To limit your cats exposure to toxins, keep lilies out of the home and block off access to the garage, household cleaners, and medications. The recommended phosphorus range on a dry matter basis for cats with CKD is 0.3-0.6%. Many cats can go on to have a decent quality of life for many months or years, depending on the specific diagnosis. In this case, 92% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Phosphorous: elevated phosphorous levels typically indicate kidney damage. But make sure that youre giving it alternative treats, too. Congenital kidney dysplasia is a condition that leads to small, nonfunctional, or underdeveloped kidneys. Low-sodium chicken broth and tuna juice would be fine, as are most vegetables, if they like them. FEEDING CATS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE: FOOD OPTIONS. In addition to onions, garlic, which is 5 times as potent as onions,and chives can each cause major health and potentioanally life threatening problems. Grapes and raisins have often been used as treats for pets. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Baby food should only be used as a treat, since it lacks taurine and other essential nutrients. Tuna fish can be found in many cat foods and treats. For example, tuna has too much unsaturated fat and is not supplemented with Vitamin E or other antioxidants. Ingredients such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are common in pain relievers and cold medicine. Go for cat food that is advertised as low sodium. Kidney disease is one of the most common diseases seen in older domestic cats. 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. A steady diet of hard, low-quality, processed cat food can also cause kidney and urinary problems. It has a unique flavor that is different from white-fleshed fish. However, cats can go on to live a relatively normal life, with some lifestyle changes and long-term management. If you keep feeding them tuna, your cat may be at an elevated risk for mercury toxicity. 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. Do not give your cat canned tuna more than once a week, and keep portion sizes small. Your mom can always boil a chicken for broth and share a treat of meat with you (if your vet says okie dokey). But a steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to. An occasional taste of cooked boneless beef or brown rice can be an OK treat. You should also use food with low levels of protein, which is easier for the kidneys to process. Usually, the higher the number, the more concentrated the urine and the greater the ability of the kidneys to conserve water. So, why do cats love tuna fish? A cat shouldnt be given tuna daily because it can cause mercury poisoning. However it is important to make sure you are only giving them canned tuna that's been in water. Tuna on its own is not nutritionally balanced. But a steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to malnutrition because it won't have all the nutrients a cat needs. The simple answer is that cats are attracted to tuna. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Table scraps often contain fat trimmed off of meat and bones. So since safe treats wont help you pack on the pounds, your human needs to make your food more exciting. Cats with certain health issues, such as inflammatory bowel disease, should not eat tuna because it may cause flare-ups. Raw fish contains an enzyme ( Thiaminase) that interferes with the absorption of Vitamin B in your cat. Dont serve cold food. Its said to increase the kidneys protein levels that will become a burden to the vital organ. These new tests allow for earlier detection and intervention with kidney disease in cats. Phosphorus. Kitties are perfectly capable of starving ourselves to death if the food doesnt appeal to us. Items that contain high amounts include . Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. 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. Does cat food contain too much mercury, and should we be concerned about mercury poisoning from seafood-based cat foods? Cats in chronic kidney failure will not recover, in the sense that they will have no lingering effects of the disease, as it is not curable. Cats can be addicted to tuna, whether it's packed for cats or for humans. Fish like halibut, tuna, cod, and snapper tend to be high in potassium. Remove all sources of tuna until your cat is eating other foods. It is worthwhile to keep trying, but, at the same time, the cat should be fed plenty of the non-kidney diet food(s) it likes. 1. Dietary supplements may be prescribed to help with low potassium. Have You Watched Our Healthy Kidney Videos Yet? The problem is that tuna is naturally very high in mercury. "Most of these cats are forced to eat renal diets, which are low in protein (of course). The safest way to feed your cat tuna is to offer them tuna-based cat food. Some commercial cat foodtends to be high in phosphorus, which is not a good food to feed cats with kidney disease. 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