Chronic kidney disease in cats, or CKD in short, is the most commonly used term to refer to cats with any kidney failure and is one of the most frequent ailments that impact felines as they age. Kidney disease in cats occurs when there has been progressive, long-term, irreversible damage to the kidneys, and this damage impairs the cat's kidneys' ability to function correctly.

Kidney failure in cats is one of the most widespread health conditions affecting older cats. In most cases, it is progressive over time so that there is a gradual decline and aggravation of the disease. The pace of decrease differs considerably between individual cats.

So, why is appropriately treating CKD a top priority for every affected cat owner? Well, first and foremost, because it affects the kidneys, and the kidneys are responsible for numerous vital body functions and regulatory processes, including: 

• Kidneys help maintain fluid balance in the cat's body; 
• They produce certain hormones; 
• Actively regulate the many electrolytes in the body;
• Help to excrete waste products via urine;
• They are directly responsible for many other body functions and processes. 

In chronic kidney disease in cats, all the above-mentioned regulatory processes can be interfered with, causing a broad spectrum of different symptoms and signs. Even though CKD is not a reversible or curable disease, adequate support and treatment methods can undoubtedly prolong and increase the quality of life by slowing down disease development. 

Read along to find out the leading causes of CKD in cats, how to spot the symptoms, diagnosing the disease, and finally, how to naturally treat kidney disease in cats. You would be amazed to know how helpful CBD oil for cats with kidney disease can prove to be and the undeniable effectiveness of all-natural supplements that provide kidney support for cats. Without further ado, here's everything that you need to know if your feline is battling this unpleasant condition.

Primary Causes Of Chronic Kidney Disease In Cats

CKD appears when there is long-standing, irreparable damage to the cat's kidneys that hinders their ability to function and eliminate waste products from the blood. Nevertheless, in most instances, the exact cause of CKD remains unknown. 

Biopsies from affected kidneys regularly show a mixture of fibrosis and inflammation entitled "chronic interstitial nephritis." Still, chronic interstitial nephritis is a non-specific end-stage change and doesn't suggest anything about the CKD's underlying cause. 

And even though most CKD cases have an unknown underlying cause, particular causes of CKD are well recognized. The primary ones include:

• The polycystic kidney disease, also known as PKD, is an inherited kidney disease mostly found in Persian and related cats where multiple fluid-filled cysts gradually replace normal kidney tissue; 
• Different types of kidney tumors; 
• Various infections - for example, a bacterial infection of the kidneys may lead to kidney damage and cause CKD; 
• Certain drugs and toxins can irreplaceably damage the kidneys; 
• The inflammation of the glomeruli (units within the kidneys that filter the blood) may lead to CKD.

If the underlying cause for the CKD can be identified, there's a good chance that the condition may be treatable, and the progression of the disease can be halted. 

Still, in most cases, the treatment for kidney disease in cats is focused on managing the disease and the numerous complications that may arise from it. In the following part of this blog post, we will discuss the most common symptoms of this unwanted condition with felines and how CKD is diagnosed.

Symptoms And Diagnosing Of Chronic Kidney Disease In Felines

In most situations, CKD is a progressive disease with very subtle and mild clinical signs that will gradually worsen over a more extended period. Less often, CKD signs and symptoms may appear to develop quite suddenly due to decompensation and sudden worsening of the condition.

Many of the symptoms are vague and nonspecific because some may arise from accumulating toxins in the blood. In contrast, others may arise as complications from the body trying to adapt to the disease. With that being said, symptoms that are indicative of CKD include: 

• weight loss;
• poor appetite;
• lethargy;
• increased urination;
• increased thirst;
• high blood pressure;
• poor coat;
• vomiting;
• bad breath;
• anemic weakness.

Typically, a cat will exhibit more than one symptom, and that’s how cat owners acknowledge that something is wrong and proceed to diagnose kidney failure in cats. The diagnosis of CKD in cats is typically made by collecting blood and urine samples at the same time for further veterinarian analysis.

Two particular substances in the blood - urea and creatinine - are usually analyzed because they are by-products of metabolism and are usually excreted by the kidneys. If the blood analysis shows that these two substances are increased, there’s a good chance that the cat is already battling CKD. 

Still, because numerous other conditions can also cause the elevation of urea and creatinine in the cat’s body, a urine sample is usually analyzed simultaneously. With CKD, the levels of urea and creatinine are generally increased in the poorly concentrated urine sample. 

In recent times, another blood test has also become available for concerned pet owners called SDMA, which proves to be of value in diagnosing CKD in cats. It allows earlier detection of the disease and shows the staging of CKD more accurately. 

Once the veterinarian conducts the necessary tests and confirms the diagnosis, cat owners should turn to proven treatment methods and techniques for which we’ll speak in the next chapter of this blog post. 

Treatments For Chronic Kidney Disease In Cats

Even though there's no definitive cure for chronic kidney disease in cats, various treatment methods and techniques can improve and prolong affected cats' lives. In a nutshell, these treatment methods are all geared toward minimizing the buildup of toxic waste substances in the cat's bloodstream, preserving adequate hydration, dealing with the disturbances in electrolyte concentration, supporting appropriate nutrition and kidney support for cats, controlling blood pressure, and slowing down the progression of the particular kidney disease. Here are our top natural remedies for treating kidney disease in cats.

Dietary Modification And The Management Of CKD 

A proper dietary modification combined with effective kidney support supplements is an essential and proven aspect of CKD treatment. Studies have shown that therapeutic diets limited in protein, sodium, and phosphorus content and high in water, vitamins, fiber, and antioxidant concentrations may prolong and improve the quality of life in cats battling CKD.

On the other hand, many cats have difficulty embracing these kinds of diets, so cat owners must stay patient and dedicated to the plan. It’s vital to make a slow and gradual transition to a therapeutic diet and contemplate food temperature, flavor, and texture accordingly. Cats troubled by CKD that go without food for extended periods may develop considerable health problems, so it’s imperative to make sure that the cat is eating during a transition to dietary modification.

Water Intake 

Due to the kidneys' decreased ability to conserve water, cats with CKD are more likely to become dehydrated. So, maintaining a proper fluid intake is very important and may help slow the disease's progression. 

Additionally, since cats obtain much of their water intake from their everyday meals, whenever possible, cats battling with CKD should be fed meals preserved in a can rather than dry foods.

Reduced Proteins 

The ideal diet for cats with any kidney failure should include restricted protein content. As many of the toxic substances that accumulate in the blood are a direct result of protein breakdown, feeding a reduced protein diet will help minimize that occurrence and improve the cat's wellbeing. 

Still, protein restriction needs to be performed with extreme care because too little protein can be incredibly detrimental to general health.

Low Phosphate Content 

Limiting the diet's phosphate content appears amazingly beneficial in protecting the kidneys from additional damage in cats with chronic kidney disease. Whereas restricting proteins in the diet helps maintain quality of life, limiting phosphate appears to prolong affected cats' lives. 

Veterinarians suggest that if phosphate concentration in the blood remains high despite the cat being on a low phosphate diet, further treatment with drugs called "phosphate binders" that help reduce the phosphate may be indicated.

Natural Supplements That Provide Effective Kidney Support For Cats 

All-natural kidney support supplements may prove extremely helpful for felines with kidney disease. The Kidney Health Support is a 100% natural formula made out of a premium blend of supportive kidney herbs from the East and West and promotes healthy function of the kidneys and the urinary tract in cats. The Kidney Health Support formula can undoubtedly help to: 

• Relieve inflammation and other symptoms of kidney dysfunction; 
• Promote healthy fluid balance and blood pressure; 
• Stimulate the healthy elimination of substances through the kidneys; 
• Cleanse and strengthen the urinary tract; 
• Ease discomfort and pain associated with reduced kidney function;
• Provide anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant support for improved kidney and urinary tract.

CBD Oil For Cats With Kidney Disease 

The latest performed research shows that cannabis doesn't cause any damage to the kidneys, placing cannabis in the lead as an up-and-coming alternative to harmful opioids and anti-inflammatories. Besides, a growing number of cat owners' reports claim that cannabidiol or CBD is a legitimate potential treatment for easing symptoms of chronic kidney disease.

CBD oil for cats with kidney disease is a natural anti-nausea agent while providing relief for pain, inflammation, and anxiety, all of which are significant symptoms of chronic kidney disease in cats. Our highly renowned CBD Oil for Cats is a safe, gentle, and nutritive CBD supplement for cats with CKD that's compounded by a licensed pharmacist for pet use only and has no traces of THC. This CBD oil is not known to interact negatively with any other medications or supplements and is both safe and beneficial for aging and elderly cats. 

However, make sure to consult with your veterinarian before applying CBD oil to your cat's daily regimen.

Final Thoughts

CKD is a widespread type of disorder that mostly affects older cats, and in most cases, cats experience progressive symptoms and gradual worsening of their condition. Many of the most prevalent CKD symptoms are idiopathic, which means that they happen spontaneously and without an exact cause.

In case your pet’s diagnosed with CKD, we encourage you to entirely focus on helping your cat by providing the needed treatment to increase their quality of life and slow down the progression of the disease. 

By selecting an adequate therapeutic diet, providing the supplements that offer first-rate kidney support for cats, and adhering to non-conventional but natural ways of battling this condition, you can significantly help your beloved pet live a longer, happy life.