The recommended range of protein on a dry matter basis for cats with CKD is 28-35%. But it takes far less to do its damage. Your veterinarian is your best resource for determining the best nutritional choice for your cat as CKD progresses. Mom needs to check the label to make sure its safe for you to eat. A cat shouldnt be given tuna daily because it can cause mercury poisoning. Instead, choose a complete, nutritionally balanced cat food that has tuna on the ingredients list. Progression of chronic kidney disease will continue with no possible cure. If you keep feeding them tuna, your cat may be at an elevated risk for mercury toxicity. Tuna is a type of fish that is high in mercury and other toxins that can be harmful to a cat's health. All rights reserved. Remember, any change in your cats behavior or activities could be a symptom of disease and should be investigated by your vet, even if it unfortunately involves glass tubes and cat posteriors. International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Catster Magazine Subscription Maintenance, Thank you Top 5 Cat Behaviors Explained. My. Cats love eating tuna fish. 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. This in turn helps to maintain a reasonable blood pressure. Tuna is high in mercury, a toxic metal. Fortunately, quite a number of cats like cantaloupe, of all things, and thats a great treat for cats with kidney disease.". Cats instinctively prefer food thats the body temperature of a mouse. Waste products are normally filtered out of the blood by the kidneys and excreted in the urine, but cats with CKD will end up with an accumulation of these waste products in the bloodstream as the filtering process breaks down. Got a question for he who knows everything feline? Cats love seafood, and most cats are especially fond of canned tuna and tuna juice. Tuna is not bad its a great source of protein, selenium, and a few select vitamins and minerals. There are new blood tests available, like the SDMA (symmetric dimethylarginine) test, that are much more sensitive than the old tests for kidney disease. You should also use food with low levels of protein, which is easier for the kidneys to process. Subscribe / Testimonials are not representative of typical outcomes. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. But make sure that youre giving it alternative treats, too. The simple answer is that cats are attracted to tuna. If youre suffering from dehydration, subcutaneous fluids may temporarily relieve the pukes and increase your appetite. But how do you know if your cat is eating too much tuna? Renal cat food often contains rabbit meat because it is naturally low in phosphorous. By Do Cats Understand Human Smiles And Facial Expressions? Board-certified veterinary nutritionist Tony Buffington isnt a fan of treats. In the wild, this instinct can protect them from predators or other cats that might be a threat. Look at the ingredients list on the food to make sure it contains lower protein content than regular cat food. In addition, SDMA is much less affected by dehydration and protein loss than BUN and creatinine. It is critical to maintain adequate calorie density in order to support good body condition, so food portion calculations and regular weigh-ins are important. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'm Richard, the lead writer for Senior Cat Wellness. You may not have to switch to a therapeutic kidney diet (aka prescription cat food) just yet, however. Is Tuna OK for cats with kidney disease? 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. Among the many edible species of fish, tuna is not good for your dog with kidney disease. 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. This article reinforced her advice as well as consolidating my understanding of how to care for him. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Tuna can become addictive to cats due to its rich texture and strong aroma. And, a small amount can make a cat ill. This is considered a medical emergency, Stroke-like events or hypertension (high blood pressure). If you have kidney disease, it's important to watch your intake of sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. Low-sodium chicken broth and tuna juice would be fine, as are most vegetables, if they like them. Here are the top five things from her talk that owners of senior cats and cats with kidney disease need to know. The sodium in brine can cause dehydration, and excessive sunflower or olive oil consumption can cause diarrhea. These are as follows: Although cats with kidney disease benefit from quality, digestible protein, canned tuna is unsuitable because it is high in phosphorous. 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. There are some healthy treats for cats with kidney disease and it's ok to offer it this. Try feeding your cat specially-formulated cat treats or treating it in other ways. Just two teaspoons of whisky can cause a coma in a 5-pound cat, and one more teaspoon could kill it. Just as you would do for your children, put all medicines where your cat can't get to them. Your vet should also instruct you on how often you should feed your cat the prescription cat food. Limiting exposure to other catswhile keeping your cat up to date on vaccines and monthly heartworm and flea controlis recommended. They will lose more water-soluble vitamins in the urine, so these may need to be supplemented. Some cats may become extremely fussy about food and refuse to eat anything besides tuna. Most savvy cat owners know that their feline needs to eat a high-quality diet rich in protein, but what about cats with kidney disease? Phosphorus. Adding condiments to your meal may help rev up your appetite. Christine O'Brien is a writer, mom, and long-time cat parent whose two Russian Blues rule the house. If not, overdosages and/or worsening of the kidney disease could occur. But a steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Fluids given either intravenously or underneath the skin can help with dehydration, and your veterinarian can show you how to administer these fluids at home. When compared with normal maintenance adult cat food, a kidney support diet contains less protein, sodium, and phosphorus, and increased omega-3 fatty acids. These diets are formulated to help cats with CKD avoid metabolic acidosis and are available from your veterinarian. 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. It may be necessary to work with your veterinarian as you start making your homemade food for cats with kidney disease . Let Catster answer all of your most baffling feline questions! In addition, an enzyme in raw fish destroys thiamine, which is an essential B vitamin for your cat. Farmed tuna contains lower levels of mercury than wild-caught fish. 5. It is important to follow your veterinarians recommendations if she suggests starting annual bloodwork to check for signs of hidden feline kidney disease. Verily, most cat owners use tuna as a way of giving their pets medicine. Cut into small shapes and bake on a baking sheet at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for roughly 15-20 minutes. Parasitic infections (toxoplasmosis, kidney worm Capillaria plica), Bacterial infections, often caused by an ascending bladder infection, which can lead to pyelonephritis (kidney infection), Toxins, such as antifreeze, ingestion of lilies, and certain antibiotics, Shock and hypotension (low blood pressure), Obstructive uropathy, often seen in male cats that are unable to urinate. Due to water pollution, all fish and shellfish contain some mercury. Here are some tips for identifying the subtle signs of pain in cats and talking with your veterinarian about making sure your cat is pain-free. A blood pressure evaluation to determine if high blood pressure can be a cause or manifestation of kidney disease. Instructions: 1. Over time, cats can develop an unhealthy addiction to tuna. 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. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Dehydration, high phosphorus levels, metabolic acidosis, fluid retention, and constipation may make you want to puke up an intestine. Because they're such picky eaters, we sometimes think cats know whats best for them when it's time to eat. By using our site, you agree to our. Whole meat baby food. Learn more about Hills commitment to sustainability. Dietary supplements may be prescribed to help with low potassium. Some tuna now and then probably won't hurt. Approved. Although tuna is a healthy snack for most cats, for some cats it can cause problems. There are many kidney diets, not just the brand your vet carries. If you suspect a food allergy, start eliminating foods one by one to determine which one is to blame. 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. While tuna is fine for cats in moderation or as a treat, too much canned tuna can be bad for your cat. If needed, adding water, tuna juice, or low sodium chicken broth may increase the flavor and acceptance. . Get tips and exclusive deals. At some point, your kidneys will say, "Hasta la vista, baby." Heres how to handle a cat thats addicted to tuna: Introduce cat foods with other flavors. Avoid fried or processed foods as well as dairy products, especially if your cat is lactose intolerant. Low-sodium chicken broth and tuna juice would be fine, as are most vegetables, if they like them. Other non-kidney-related issues could also make you ignore your food bowl: pain, dental disease, antibiotics, and pancreatitis. Just make sure to avoid any plant-based proteins since these are lower quality and will not provide the proper nutrients to a cat with renal disease. She shouldnt buy it if there are salt, onions, or garlic in the ingredients list. Allergies are hard to diagnose if a cat eats a mix of foods. These diets are formulated to help cats with CKD avoid metabolic acidosis and are available from your veterinarian. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Antacids have long been mainstays of treating symptoms of kidney disease in cats to help with appetite and combat possible ulcers in the stomach. You can also add water or warm broth to your cats wet food for added water consumption. Sodium: 0.4 percent. All Rights Reserved. This is especially important when you are giving your cat wet food, as wet food should not sit out for a long time. Remove all sources of tuna until your cat is eating other foods. In general, tuna is something that our cats can eat. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Fortunately, veterinarians and researchers are hard at work to discover new ways to catch feline kidney disease earlier so they can better treat and manage the condition. There are two problems with giving your cat raw eggs. Many of these conditions are progressive in nature and debilitating which can lead to death. . Some tuna now and then probably won't hurt. These statements have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Many other items commonly found on kitchen shelves can harm your cat. [1] Add tuna water or chicken broth to make water taste better. You can also put out flavored waters, like chicken or tuna water, for your cat to encourage it to drink. Perhaps she can mix your kidney food with your favorite canned food. 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. Cats in the earlier stages can, if the underlying disease is treated appropriately, live a normal life. Cats shouldnt be fed canned tuna in oil or brine. ", Petalia.com: "Human Foods That Poison Pets. That doesnt mean I have the body of a 20-month-old. Tuna fish can be found in many cat foods and treats. Cats can be addicted to tuna, whether it's packed for cats or for humans. Feline kidney disease treatment often includes a diet consisting of highly digestible protein that meets or exceeds minimum standards, is restricted in phosphorus, and is high in omega-3 fatty acids. Its Ok To Give Cats Tuna As A Treat. It's also in some cold medicines and painkillers. Repeated vomiting and hyperactivity are early signs. HILL'S PRESCRIPTION DIET. There is some debate over whether or not giving your cat canned tuna is a good idea. How to Maximize the Nutritional Benefits of Tuna. Looking for a convenient way to access your pets health records, refill prescriptions, view upcoming appointments and more? Theres no harm in giving your cat tuna fish in spring water occasionally, but scientifically formulated tuna-based cat food is recommended. Thiaminase. Cats with food allergies may also vomit and experience diarrhea, gas and a loss of appetite if they encounter an ingredient they're sensitive to. Here are a few things your mom can try to make that kidney diet more palatable: You also need to stay hydrated. It is an indication of infection and/or kidney damage. And never give your cat any over-the-counter medicine unless advised to do so by your vet. What could be wrong with offering your cat a saucer of milk or a piece of cheese? For cats with kidney disease, two to three times a week is considered safe.