Managing diet and mineral balance is a key part of caring for cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD). One of the biggest goals is to slow the progression of the disease and improve the cat's quality of life. Nutrition plays a crucial role, especially when it comes to addressing mineral imbalances and bone disease, which can develop due to kidney issues.
Dietary Management
A kidney-friendly diet is one of the most important treatments for CKD in cats. These special diets are designed to reduce the workload on the kidneys by restricting certain nutrients like protein and phosphorus, which are harder for compromised kidneys to process. These diets usually also have added benefits like higher calorie content, restricted sodium, and supplements such as B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids.
Protein and Phosphate Control
Cats with CKD need moderate protein restrictions to prevent further kidney damage. While these diets typically contain less protein than standard cat food, they still meet the necessary levels for maintaining muscle mass. Phosphorus is even more important to control, as excess phosphorus can lead to worsening kidney function and mineral-bone disease, including issues like renal secondary hyperparathyroidism (increased parathyroid hormone levels due to kidney dysfunction). Feeding a phosphorus-restricted diet can help slow disease progression and improve your cat’s longevity.
Use of Phosphate Binders
As CKD progresses, it becomes harder to control phosphorus levels with diet alone. Phosphate binders can help by reducing phosphorus absorption from food. These medications are given with meals and bind to phosphorus in the gastrointestinal tract, preventing it from being absorbed into the bloodstream.. Your vet may recommend different types of phosphate binders, such as aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate, or sevelamer, depending on what works best for your cat.
Managing Calcium Imbalances
Calcium levels can also become imbalanced in cats with CKD. While phosphorus levels tend to rise, calcium can drop (hypocalcemia) or occasionally increase (hypercalcemia). Monitoring and maintaining a healthy balance of calcium and phosphorus is crucial because an imbalance can cause issues like calcification of tissues or worsen kidney function. In some cases, we may recommend supplements or specific treatments to help manage this balance
Potassium Balance
Another common issue in cats with CKD is low potassium levels (hypokalemia). This can lead to muscle weakness, lethargy, and a worsening of kidney function. Many kidney diets contain additional potassium, but some cats may still need oral potassium supplements if their levels remain low.
Transitioning to a Kidney Diet
Cats with CKD can be picky eaters, and kidney diets are often less palatable than regular cat food. It’s important to introduce these diets slowly, mixing small amounts with their current food to encourage acceptance. Maintaining proper nutrition and caloric intake is crucial, as weight loss and muscle wasting are common concerns in cats with CKD. If your cat refuses a kidney diet, we can work to find an alternative, such as a home-prepared diet or use appetite stimulants like mirtazapine.
Take a moment to read our other blog posts about other important management aspects of CKD: