Monitor — routine vet appointment
Chronic kidney disease in cats
Older cats drinking more, urinating more, losing weight, and eating less often have kidney disease — book a vet appointment for bloods and urine testing.
Recognise the signs
- Increased thirst and urination
- Weight loss
- Reduced appetite, picky eating
- Vomiting, occasionally
- Dull coat, mouth ulcers
- Lethargy
- Pale gums in advanced cases (anaemia)
First aid steps
- Routine vet appointment with bloods, urine, and blood pressure.
- Note specific changes.
Do NOT
- Do not restrict water — increase access.
- Do not change to high-protein diet without vet advice.
- Do not give human medications.
When to phone the vet immediately
- Vomiting, refusing food more than 24 hours, seizures, collapse
Common causes
- Age-related kidney decline (commonest)
- Past toxin damage
- High blood pressure
- Polycystic kidney disease (Persians)
- Infection or stones
What the vet will need to know
- Specific changes in drinking, eating, weight
- Litter habits
- Other conditions and medications
Aftercare
- Prescription kidney diet — significantly extends life.
- Phosphate binders, blood pressure medication, anti-nausea drugs as needed.
- Subcutaneous fluids at home in some cases.
- Regular bloods and check-ups every 3–6 months.
Prevention
- Annual senior bloods from age 8.
- Manage blood pressure and dental disease.
- Plenty of fresh water access.
Breed-specific notes
- Polycystic kidney disease in Persian and related breeds.
Frequently asked questions
Is kidney disease curable in cats?
Not curable, but very manageable — many cats live years with diagnosis and good care.
Will my cat need fluids at home?
Some cats benefit from subcutaneous fluids 1–3 times weekly. Many owners learn the technique. The vet will advise based on staging.
Why is renal diet so important?
Prescription kidney diets are the single most evidence-based intervention for extending life in feline CKD — typically by 1–2 years on average.