is tuna bad for cats with kidney problems

Your cat will see an open can of tuna next to the sink as a dinner invitation. Raw tuna contains thiaminase, which is an enzyme that destroys thiamine (vitamin B1.). The old belief was to restrict protein in cats with kidney disease, but now veterinarians know better. Their digestive system cannot process dairy foods, and the result can be digestive upset with diarrhea. In the wild, this instinct can protect them from predators or other cats that might be a threat. The problem is that tuna is naturally very high in mercury. CURRENT OPTIONS FOR KIDNEY DISEASE DIETS FOR CATS . "Our Roman, a 16 years old neutered male cat, has recently been diagnosed with the start of kidney disease. Cats cannot survive without their kidneys. Let Catster answer all of your most baffling feline questions! If your cats lab tests come back indicating early kidney disease, it is likely that your veterinarian will recommend a diet change. 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. In this case, 92% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Studies show that cats with kidney disease who start receiving therapy early tend to do better, have a better quality of life and live longer. While tuna is fine for cats in moderation or as a treat, too much canned tuna can be bad for your cat. FEEDING CATS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE: FOOD OPTIONS. At some point, your kidneys will say, "Hasta la vista, baby." Omega-3 and Kidney Disease Supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids may benefit dogs and cats with chronic kidney disease by reducing protein loss in the urine (proteinuria), reducing hypertension at the level of the kidney, and decreasing inflammatory changes within renal tissues. 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. Here's why you may want to reconsider sharing your favorite canned tuna with your feline friend. Limiting dietary phosphorus in cats with CKD appears to help delay the progression of CKD, although the precise mechanism is unknown. Prescription cat foodthat focuses on kidney support, such as Blue Natural Kidney and Mobility diet, fits the nutritional needs of cats with kidney disease. Cats in stages I and II may often be monitored for further progression of signs, and some may be given a prescription diet specifically geared to help the kidneys by limiting the amount of work they have to do. My assistant has seen an improvement in her renal cats by giving the supplement red deer antler velvet. The earlier you can transition your cat to a specialized diet for kidney support, the more quickly you can support your cats special nutritional needs and maintain quality of life. Cats can be addicted to tuna, whether it's packed for cats or for humans. However it is important to make sure you are only giving them canned tuna that's been in water. If he can address the reason for your lack of appetite, hopefully youll pack on some weight. Here are the healthiest ways to feed your cat tuna: Although raw food has some health benefits, you should not feed raw tuna to cats. In addition to tea and coffee -- including beans and grounds -- caffeine can be found in cocoa, chocolate, colas, and stimulant drinks such as Red Bull. A steady diet of dog food can cause your cat to be severely malnourished. An occasional bite of dog food won't hurt your cat. If you keep feeding them tuna, your cat may be at an elevated risk for mercury toxicity. But make sure that youre giving it alternative treats, too. They will lose more water-soluble vitamins in the urine, so these may need to be supplemented. Learn more. X Most indoor cats aren't very active and don't require a lot of calories meaning weight gain can easily creep up. Kidney Shield For Cats & Dogs is another best-seller loaded for Optimal Kidney Health for your cat with kidney disease. Board-certified veterinary nutritionist Tony Buffington isnt a fan of treats. Tuna is a type of fish that is high in mercury and other toxins that can be harmful to a cat's health. Cats diagnosed with kidney disease are often prescribed a kidney-friendly diet which may include feeding your cat canned, wet foods that contain additional water. A few things that do not appear in the veterinary textbooks or on the food label, that we have learned over years of managing cats with CKD: ~ Ideally the pet would be fed only canned food because of the benefit of higher moisture content. If you suspect a food allergy, start eliminating foods one by one to determine which one is to blame. If your cat has high phosphate levels in its blood due to kidney issues, for example, your vet may recommend a phosphate binder that you can add to its diet. ~ When there is a normal cat or cats in the house with the cat with CKD it is fine to feed all the cats the kidney diet; it is high-quality maintenance food for normal cats. But it's not a good idea. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d7\/Feed-a-Cat-with-Kidney-Problems-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Feed-a-Cat-with-Kidney-Problems-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d7\/Feed-a-Cat-with-Kidney-Problems-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid8731269-v4-728px-Feed-a-Cat-with-Kidney-Problems-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"