Some commercial cat foodtends to be high in phosphorus, which is not a good food to feed cats with kidney disease. An occasional bite of dog food won't hurt your cat. In fact, you may be surprised to learn some of the common foods your cats should never eat. That this info was available from and reviewed by qualified. Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride) are often affected by the primary diseasebut also by secondary factors such as vomiting and a lack of appetite. Here are the top five things from her talk that owners of senior cats and cats with kidney disease need to know. Your mom needs to understand that a cat (especially a sick cat) cant be bullied into eating a certain kind of food. Subscribe / Ask Einstein: Im a Cat with Kidney Disease; What Can I Eat? Even giving canned tuna as a treat can lead to health issues, especially if it is given in large amounts or frequently. References Canned tuna is not a balanced meal because it contains low levels of taurine. 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. Pros and Cons of Feeding Your Cat Tuna. The recommended range of protein on a dry matter basis for cats with CKD is 28-35%. Who Won the Catster Purrrific Photo Contest in 2018? Most cats are lactose-intolerant. These diets are formulated to help cats with CKD avoid metabolic acidosis and are available from your veterinarian. About Us / Just two teaspoons of whisky can cause a coma in a 5-pound cat, and one more teaspoon could kill it. Because they're such picky eaters, we sometimes think cats know whats best for them when it's time to eat. Whereas tuna, perch, salmon, and haddock have . However, if your cat is living with, Tuna is a decent food option for cats with kidney disease if served in moderation. (Letters dont have to be written from the cats point of view.) She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. 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. The canning/cooking process destroys thiaminase, so canned and cooked tuna is less likely to lead to a vitamin B1 deficiency than raw tuna. 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). If your cat has a chronic health condition, such as kidney disease, you should not feed it canned tuna. Creatinine (CREA): measures how well kidneys are filtering waste from blood. A few ounces of canned tuna in water contains almost 100 calories, which is more than a third of the recommended daily caloric intake for many cats. Commercial diets for cats with CKD are developed to prioritize these key goals. That's because alcohol has the same effect on a cat's liver and brain that it has on humans. Shop / Kidney Shield For Cats & Dogs is another best-seller loaded for Optimal Kidney Health for your cat with kidney disease. Start by selecting food that will help your cats kidneys improve and adjusting your cats diet. Commercially available kidney support diets tend to be quite palatable because it is so important for these cats to eat in a way that slows the progression of their CKD. Here are the reasons why tuna is unhealthy for cats: Some forms of tuna are safer for cats to eat than others. Take a bowl and mix together 1/2 cup of peanut butter, 1/2 cup of rolled oats, and 1 egg. She might even put a dab of food on your paw. Have You Watched Our Healthy Kidney Videos Yet? Kidney disease is one of the most common diseases seen in older domestic cats. This article has been viewed 35,467 times. Add just a pinch of dried shaved bonito (tuna) flakes to give your boring meal a little zest. The higher the proof, the worse the symptoms. 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. Tuna is high in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and B vitamins, but it lacks many nutrients that cats need to stay healthy. We all know about the dangers of fish and mercury poisoning (metal poisoning). If youre suffering from dehydration, subcutaneous fluids may temporarily relieve the pukes and increase your appetite. 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? Do Cats Understand Human Smiles And Facial Expressions? Try feeding your cat specially-formulated cat treats or treating it in other ways. Phosphorous: elevated phosphorous levels typically indicate kidney damage. And a cat can choke on a bone. It is a progressive problem that cannot be cured, but these pets can often be successfully medically managed for a long time. 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. Cats that suffer from severe kidney problems tend to have high blood pressure that puts undue stress on internal organs, including the heart, lungs and retinas. Nevertheless, if you suspect you are feeding your cat too much tuna, you should reduce the amount. Although Im long-of-fang, I can still jump up on the furniture and climb my cat tree. In fact, many commercial cat foods contain tuna as an ingredient. Sometimes, all that is needed in the beginning is to switch to a high-quality senior diet. Cats are carnivores and need meat. They need to consume a lot of water on a regular basis to stay healthy. 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 simple answer is that cats are attracted to tuna. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. 3. Understand how feeding your cat human snacks can be dangerous to your cat and lead to significant weight gain. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Among the many edible species of fish, tuna is not good for your dog with kidney disease. veterinarian has been very informative. Thiaminase. When enough damage has occurred (losing about two-thirds of kidney function), signs become apparent and regeneration will not occur, leading to chronic kidney disease. Cats cannot survive without their kidneys. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'm Richard, the lead writer for Senior Cat Wellness. It also serves to reduce the effects of renal (kidney) secondary hyperparathyroidism. Just as you would do for your children, put all medicines where your cat can't get to them. CURRENT OPTIONS FOR KIDNEY DISEASE DIETS FOR CATS . A kidney biopsy to determine the type of glomerular (filtering unit of the kidney) disease present. Renal cat food often contains rabbit meat because it is naturally low in phosphorous. For tips from our Veterinary co-author on how to add supplements to your cat's diet, read on! This should stop your cat from becoming obsessed with eating tuna. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Ask a Vet: How Do I Treat Kidney Failure in My Cat? Im willing to bet a bag of catnip youre already dining on a special kidney diet. Due to water pollution, all fish and shellfish contain some mercury. SDMA catches changes in how well the kidneys are filtering the blood much earlier than other tests, mainly BUN and creatinine. But it's not just the water or liquid that the tuna is sitting in that can be problematic. Calcium: elevated levels, though not as common, are often seen with kidney damage. Cats instinctively prefer food thats the body temperature of a mouse. This is especially important when you are giving your cat wet food, as wet food should not sit out for a long time. Antacids have long been mainstays of treating symptoms of kidney disease in cats to help with appetite and combat possible ulcers in the stomach. Drugs prescribed in the future for any other disease process will need to be tailored or substituted for a more kidney-friendly alternative, given that kidney metabolism will be decreased. A cat shouldnt be given tuna daily because it can cause mercury poisoning. Low-sodium chicken broth and tuna juice would be fine, as are most vegetables, if they like them. ~ Ideally the pet would eat only one kidney diet, but it is unusual for a cat to be willing to do so. Some cats may show muscle-wasting and signs attributed to high blood pressure, such as vision loss and weakness. Eating a large quantity once or eating smaller amounts regularly can cause onion poisoning. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a relatively common problem of older cats. There is some evidence that omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants may also help cats with kidney disease. Protein like beef and fish are also fine occasionally as protein sources for your cat. Looking for a convenient way to access your pets health records, refill prescriptions, view upcoming appointments and more? Tuna is not nutritionally balanced and should not be fed as a large part of your cat's meal plan. Its said to increase the kidneys protein levels that will become a burden to the vital organ. Most indoor cats aren't very active and don't require a lot of calories meaning weight gain can easily creep up. A steady diet of dog food can cause your cat to be severely malnourished. Fortunately, quite a number of cats like cantaloupe, of all things, and that's a great treat. Its OK to treat your cat with tasty foods, like tuna. You can opt for a lower-level mercury product, but choose chunk light tuna. Knowing where things are headed, understanding what to expect in terms of life expectancy, and having a plan can help you to be more in control of the situation and make the best decisions possible. Additionally, for all stages of kidney disease, fresh water should always be available. Unfortunately theres no cure for CRF, but a diet low in sodium and phosphorus may slow down the loss of kidney function. There are a variety of potential causes for CRF, including diseases such as feline leukemia, tumors, infections, and various toxins. You can also put out flavored waters, like chicken or tuna water, for your cat to encourage it to drink. Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA): an additional test to help determine if kidney disease is present. Many of these conditions are progressive in nature and debilitating which can lead to death. Giving your cat wet food will ensure it gets enough water when it eats. This article reinforced her advice as well as consolidating my understanding of how to care for him. Just make sure that these are low in sodium. My assistant has seen an improvement in her renal cats by giving the supplement red deer antler velvet. Today were discussing if tuna fish is safe for cats with kidney disease. Both fat and bones may be dangerous for cats. 2. That doesnt mean I have the body of a 20-month-old. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Here are the healthiest ways to feed your cat tuna: Although raw food has some health benefits, you should not feed raw tuna to cats. But the fact that they'll walk away from a piece of bad meat doesn't mean they'll bypass an open can of tuna. If your cat has low potassium levels due to kidney issues, your vet may suggest a potassium supplement for your cat. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Dietary supplements may be prescribed to help with low potassium. Other non-kidney-related issues could also make you ignore your food bowl: pain, dental disease, antibiotics, and pancreatitis. When Cats Shouldnt Eat Tuna Fish Due to the risks, there are scenarios in which cats should never be fed tuna. Thats good. While Amlodipine is still the mainstay of treatment, sometimes it is not enough to lower blood pressures adequately. According to recommendations set forth by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, a cat that weighs 11 pounds should consume 290 calories per day. Tuna on its own is not nutritionally balanced. If your cats lab tests come back indicating early kidney disease, it is likely that your veterinarian will recommend a diet change. However, though not on the list of toxic foods for cats, tuna that's meant for people can cause health issues for cats. Canned tuna can be really useful for helping stressed or senior cats to regain their appetites. These statements have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. For example, tuna has too much unsaturated fat and is not supplemented with Vitamin E or other antioxidants. Learn the 18 most common symptoms for cats and what situations are an emergency. 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. ", University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine: "Killer Grapes and Other Concerns in Animal Poison Control. By HILL'S PRESCRIPTION DIET. It isnt easy to say no to a cat when its begging for its favorite fish-based food. All rights reserved. Kidney disease is often diagnosed based on routine blood work and a urinalysis, looking specifically at such kidney markers as: Blood urea nitrogen (BUN): is a by-product of protein metabolism. Anything else is too salty and fatty, which is very bad for their health. So, why do cats love tuna fish? I'm experienced in all cat health-related matters, behavioral issues, grooming techniques, and general pet care. Ingredients such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are common in pain relievers and cold medicine. In addition, SDMA is much less affected by dehydration and protein loss than BUN and creatinine. Some forms of tuna contain the enzyme thiaminase, which destroys thiamine (vitamin B1). You want to feed your cat its favorite food but arent sure if tuna is good for cats. When compared with normal maintenance adult cat food, a kidney support diet contains less protein, sodium, and phosphorus, and increased omega-3 fatty acids. {"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":"