Kitty in NY – Cat Sitting & Boarding in New York City
​
  • HOME
  • CONTACT
  • RATES
  • FAQ
  • CAT SITTING
  • EXPRESS SITTING
  • CAT BOARDING
  • ABOUT US
  • BLOG

Chronic Kidney Disease - is it preventable?

2/3/2024

0 Comments

 
CKD is one of the most common progressive illnesses found in cats. In fact, over 30% of all cats aged 15 and above will develop some form of it. And it’s because of this, most cat owners wonder…is this condition is preventable?

And the truth is there’s no straightforward answer (helpful right…)

To better understand if CKD is preventable, we first need to look at the causes of this
condition.The causes can be split into two main categories: Congenital (conditions present from birth)or Acquired (conditions that your cat will have developed over time).

Cats with a Congenital conditions are likely to have either Polycystic Kidney Disease, Renal Dysplasia or were born with only one kidney. Each of these conditions  drastically affect your cat’s kidney function from the offset, and therefore make it very tough to prevent CKD in the future.

Cats that Acquire the condition over time may have suffered from a bacterial or viral
infections, an inflammatory condition, have been exposed to toxins ( for example anti-
freeze, grapes, raisins or lilies), had trauma to the kidneys or have been diagnosed with a form of cancer. Although it is still not possible to say that any of the acquired conditions listed above are preventable, there are several strategies cat owners can carry out at home to promote their cat’s health as they get older. These can include:

 Maintaining a healthy diet - particularly for older cats there are specialist foods
available to promote the health of their kidneys.

 Hydration levels – Ensuring your cat remains hydrated is key to maintaining the
health of their kidneys. Remember, cats tend to only drink from a full bowl of water
or even better, running water, which is why cat drinking fountains make an
excellent aid for ensuring your cat stays hydrated.
​
 Vets check-ups – Even if you think your cat’s health is in good condition, it is always
important to attend their annual vet check-up to ensure any concerning symptoms
are spotted as quickly as possible. This is particularly important in catching any
bacterial or viral infections early which could lead to CKD. Treating these ailments as
early as possible will help snuff out any chance of future kidney complications.
Picture
If your cat is diagnosed with CKD their condition will be staged depending on how far it has progressed. The staging system is based on their urine sample, the creatinine levels in your cat’s blood, along with their blood pressure.

The system ranges from mild to severe and again although it may not be possible to prevent your cat reaching the severe stage of CKD, understanding the symptoms present with CKD may help you to spots the signs and get an earlier diagnosis. These include but are not limited to:

  • Loss of weight
  • A lack of interest in food or a reduced appetite
  • Signs of dehydration, including: dry gums and when your cats skin on the back of their neck does not spring back rapidly after being lifted
  • An increase in thirst
  • An increase in urination
  • Signs of lethargy and appearing more tired than usual
  • Vomiting and or constipation
  • Signs of mouth ulcers developing, which can lead to bad breath ​​                          
A cat diagnosed with CKD at any stage can continue to live a healthy, happy life for many years to come. And with the correct treatment many cats maintain only a mild form of the condition for a considerable period.
Picture
Hopefully this article gave you better idea of the causes, symptoms and a few important tips on how to either keep CKD at bay… or at lease prevent it diagnosing it early in your furball.

Remember, if you ever have any concerns about your cat’s health, it is always best to book an appointment with your vet. They will be able to answer any of your questions and give you peace of mind.

We hope you’ve enjoyed the article, our friends at Scruffy Paws Nutrition have made it their mission to improve the lives of cats everywhere! They do this by creating treats, drops and chews that contain scientifically backed active ingredients to support your cats health
​
Check them out here: scruffypawsnutrition.com
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Cat Boarding and Sitting blog


    Find articles, tips and information about cat boarding, cat sitting and how to care for cats


    Categories

    All
    Boarding
    Breeds
    Caregivers
    Catsitting
    General
    Literary
    Memories

    ​
    Cat boarding and cat sitting services in New York  Kitty in NY connects you with the best cat care providers in New York

    Archives

    July 2025
    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014

    RSS Feed

Meet our caregivers
Contact Kitty in NY for more information about the best cat boarding and cat sitting services
(718) 514 9586       
​About Us
Read Our Blog
​Frequently Asked Questions
Terms of Service
Privacy Policy
Help Cats!
Become a Caregiver