is tuna bad for cats with kidney problems
Many human foods are dangerous to cats. 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. Got a question for he who knows everything feline? Tuna in brine is unsuitable for cats with diabetes because it will cause dehydration. These new tests allow for earlier detection and intervention with kidney disease in cats. ~ Ideally the pet would eat only one kidney diet, but it is unusual for a cat to be willing to do so. ", ASPCA: "People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets. Chocolate can be lethal for cats. If you feel well enough to groom, youll ingest a little nutrition. Ryan Llera, BSc, DVM; Robin Downing, DVM, CVPP, CCRP, DAAPM, Contributors: Ryan Llera, BSc, DVM; Robin Downing, DVM, CVPP, CCRP, DAAPM. Approved. For most conditions listed above, I wouldnt classify kidney disease in of itself as painful. There are two problems with giving your cat raw eggs. Although this food is called a Veterinary Diet, you can purchase it without a veterinarians prescription. And, too much tuna can cause mercury poisoning. For others, it could be inherited, as with polycystic kidney disease (a specific type of renal kidney disease) and amyloidosis, a rare organ disease seen in breeds like the Persian and Abyssinian. It could also be attributed to underlying immune-mediated diseases, stroke-like events, clotting disorders, and even cancers like lymphoma. There is some debate over whether or not giving your cat canned tuna is a good idea. Progression of chronic kidney disease will continue with no possible cure. (Ask) Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Healthy Kidney Inc. and Robert Galarowicz, unless otherwise noted. If he can address the reason for your lack of appetite, hopefully youll pack on some weight. 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. Learn the 18 most common symptoms for cats and what situations are an emergency. Make sure to change your cats diet gradually over a few weeks so it can get used to the new food. Although tuna is a healthy snack for most cats, for some cats it can cause problems. Dominican Republic - Repblica Dominicana, Greater China - Hong Kong SAR (English), World Small Animal Veterinary Association, human foods are converted to kitty calories, Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University, Association of American Feed Control Officials, Foods that are Dangerous or Toxic to Cats. Most indoor cats aren't very active and don't require a lot of calories meaning weight gain can easily creep up. Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA): an additional test to help determine if kidney disease is present. While Amlodipine is still the mainstay of treatment, sometimes it is not enough to lower blood pressures adequately. ", VeterinaryPartner.com: "Feline Mysteries.". If a urinary obstruction is noted, relieving the obstruction would be the treatment of choice. Nutrition For Cats With Chronic Kidney Disease, Control the clinical signs associated with accumulating waste products in the blood, Minimize problems with fluid and mineral balance. Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of savory minced ocean fish to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life. And they can be deadly for your cat. Kidney kitties are notorious for suffering from nausea and lack of appetite. Giving your cat wet food will ensure it gets enough water when it eats. Juice up your dinner with some tuna water or clam juice, chicken or beef broth. Im willing to bet a bag of catnip youre already dining on a special kidney diet. In fact, you may be surprised to learn some of the common foods your cats should never eat. Give it to your cat at the same time every day and make sure your cat eats all of it. Protein like beef and fish are also fine occasionally as protein sources for your cat. Internal medicine specialist Dr. Kelly St. Denis, DVM, DABVP, presented the latest and greatest advances in kidney care at a recent Fetch dvm360 veterinary conference. Knead the dough and roll it out to 1/4 inch thickness. It is because a high amount of protein adds strain to the kidneys, a healthy combination would be a better choice. 14 of the 101 samples had abnormally high levels of mercury compared to the rest (greater than 100 ng g1), Foods containing tuna and prawn had the highest concentrations of mercury, Two samples of the same cat food from different batches had different amounts of mercury. ", http://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/cat-kidney-disease#1, http://consciouscat.net/2016/02/15/the-right-diet-for-cats-with-kidney-disease/, https://www.medicanimal.com/The-truth-about-renal-diets-for-cats/a/ART111494, https://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/outreach/Pet-Health-Topics/categories/diseases/chronic-kidney-disease-and-failure, http://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/cat-kidney-disease#2-7, https://icatcare.org/advice/cat-health/chronic-kidney-disease-cats-%E2%80%93-management. The most dangerous kinds, though, are dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate. Go for cat food that is advertised as low sodium. The problem is that tuna is naturally very high in mercury. When your senior cat was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), you may have felt worried, confused, and overwhelmed.. Getting a diagnosis of CKD is never easy. A kidney support diet for cats with CKD will contain the following key components on a dry matter basis: Your veterinarian will help you choose an appropriate formulation for your cat. The toxic agent in chocolate is theobromine. ", My buddy Dr. Drew Weigner, an exclusively feline veterinarian in Atlanta, says, "As far as homemade treats, anything low in protein and sodium should be fine in moderation, but that excludes most things cats like! 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. If your cat has medical problems or is on a special diet, ask your veterinarian before feeding tuna to . Kittens grow a lot in their first year, so it is important to provide them with the proper nutrients early, so they grow up healthy and strong. In the wild, this instinct can protect them from predators or other cats that might be a threat. Start by selecting food that will help your cats kidneys improve and adjusting your cats diet. However, we now know that cats with kidney disease are in pain, not only from their kidney disease, but also from arthritis. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. It can be used for early detection of kidney disease. A cat with heart disease is fed a low sodium and high taurine diet. But make sure that youre giving it alternative treats, too. A steady diet of hard, low-quality, processed cat food can also cause kidney and urinary problems. But dog food is not a substitute for cat food. Canned food can help increase your cat's intake of moisture. Most of the time, cats with kidney disease benefit more from centrally acting anti-nausea medications, so talk with your veterinarian about these types of medications. This is a very essential vitamin for your cat as it supports the following health functions: Immune system Nervous system Digestive tract Once again, Mom needs to check the label for high salt content, garlic, and onions. Your mom can always boil a chicken for broth and share a treat of meat with you (if your vet says okie dokey). Testimonials are not representative of typical outcomes. This works by reducing protein 'leaking' through the kidneys. Commercially available kidney support diets tend to be quite palatable because it is so important for these cats to eat in a way that slows the progression of their CKD. If protein intake is too low however, CKD will start to break down muscle mass. Grapes or raisins, since they can cause kidney damage even in healthy cats. A steady diet of dog food can cause your cat to be severely malnourished. When your kitty eats too little or too much of certain nutrients, health complications can arise. Your vet can show your human how to do this at home. If tuna is part of your cat's meal plan and you notice them acting out of sorts, consider taking them into your veterinarian for a wellness visit it's always a good idea to get a baseline reading to ensure nothing serious is going on. Verily, most cat owners use tuna as a way of giving their pets medicine. When your blood potassium levels become high, it can be dangerous and result in progression of kidney disease and even further kidney damage. When compared with normal maintenance adult cat food, a kidney support diet contains less protein, sodium, and phosphorus, and increased omega-3 fatty acids. High-quality senior cat diets tend to contain omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, L-carnitine, highly bioavailable protein and balanced amino acids, all of which are important ingredients to support an aging body. Look for wet food that contains tuna juice, clam juice, chicken broth, and beef broth. That's because alcohol has the same effect on a cat's liver and brain that it has on humans. We are all guilty of overfeeding our cats or giving them too many treats. 17 Foods to Avoid or Limit If You Have Bad Kidneys. Do not feed your kitty canned tuna as a substitute to its usual cat food. Because they're such picky eaters, we sometimes think cats know whats best for them when it's time to eat. There are a variety of potential causes for CRF, including diseases such as feline leukemia, tumors, infections, and various toxins. 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. Items that contain high amounts include . In addition, an enzyme in raw fish destroys thiamine, which is an essential B vitamin for your cat. "Our Roman, a 16 years old neutered male cat, has recently been diagnosed with the start of kidney disease. Just two teaspoons of whisky can cause a coma in a 5-pound cat, and one more teaspoon could kill it. Due to technological advancements, the most beneficial component of tuna (docosahexaenoic acid) can now be found in other foods. I have arthritis, some of my teeth have gone AWOL, and Im skinny as a supermodel cause my vet says I have chronic renal failure. Anything else is too salty and fatty, which is very bad for their health. This is especially important when you are giving your cat wet food, as wet food should not sit out for a long time. It isnt easy to say no to a cat when its begging for its favorite fish-based food. Fat, both cooked and uncooked, can cause intestinal upset, with vomiting and diarrhea. Remove all sources of tuna until your cat is eating other foods. One supplement we have that can drastically improve your cats kidney function and revitalize their kidneys is Kidney Restore For Cats & Dogs. Advanced Acacia / However, though not on the list of toxic foods for cats, tuna that's meant for people can cause health issues for cats. Does cat food contain too much mercury, and should we be concerned about mercury poisoning from seafood-based cat foods? About our Ads. Raw fish contains an enzyme ( Thiaminase) that interferes with the absorption of Vitamin B in your cat. This is a serious condition that can affect your cat's bones. When compared with normal maintenance adult cat food, a kidney support diet contains less protein, sodium, and phosphorus, and increased omega-3 fatty acids. Then, sadly, it might be time for your mom to read The Feline Quality of Life Scale Helps You Determine If Its Time to Say Goodbye to Your Cat.. veterinarian has been very informative. Some cats may show muscle-wasting and signs attributed to high blood pressure, such as vision loss and weakness. It's worth noting that toxins such as mercury, lead and thallium can damage the kidneys; tuna and other fish can contain all three heavy metals. ~ Ideally the pet would eat only kidney diet, but we have managed many cats with CKD that did very well when fed some kidney diet and some non-kidney diet. FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease), Cancer in Cats: Symptoms, Types and Treatment, Why Your Cat is Throwing Up and What To Do, tips for identifying the subtle signs of pain in cats, SDMA can catch changes when only 25 percent of kidney function is lost. Thats good. Bones can also splinter and cause an obstruction or cut the insideof your cat's digestive system. A cat has two kidneys, one on each side of the abdomen, and they play a vital role in filtering waste from the body. Cats in chronic kidney failure will not recover, in the sense that they will have no lingering effects of the disease, as it is not curable. . FEEDING CATS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE: FOOD OPTIONS. 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. Dry: K/D Chicken 4 lb, 8.5 lb. Red blood cell count: if low, it may indicate kidney failure. Sometimes, all that is needed in the beginning is to switch to a high-quality senior diet. Tuna on its own is not nutritionally balanced. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using products based on this content. This makes it critical for you to provide your cat with an unlimited supply of fresh water. If your cats lab tests come back indicating early kidney disease, it is likely that your veterinarian will recommend a diet change. Common signs that a cat is sick are vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, increased thirst, and many more. Farmed tuna contains lower levels of mercury than wild-caught fish. My. Eating too much too often can do the same thing to cats that it does to humans. While the other kitties in the house may think your kidney cuisine is positively delectable, you turn your nose up at it. Your vet should also instruct you on how often you should feed your cat the prescription cat food. 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. If you are giving tuna in moderation, then it can be a healthy treat for most cats. Many of these conditions are progressive in nature and debilitating which can lead to death. Here are the top five things from her talk that owners of senior cats and cats with kidney disease need to know. Research source "If theyre not eating, the best thing to feed them is anything theyll eat," Dr. Weigner tells me. This is made from smaller tuna fish, such as Skipjack and Tongol. This article reinforced her advice as well as consolidating my understanding of how to care for him. Tuna is not nutritionally balanced and should not be fed as a large part of your cat's meal plan. Before it's baked, bread dough needs to rise. Learn how to make homemade cat treats that are healthy for your pet with this recipe from Hills Pet Nutrition. For tips from our Veterinary co-author on how to add supplements to your cat's diet, read on! The safest way to feed your cat tuna is to offer them tuna-based cat food. 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. Your cat will see an open can of tuna next to the sink as a dinner invitation. ", professionals. Privacy Policy / Early diagnosis and intervention are keys to maintaining quality of life. What could be wrong with offering your cat a saucer of milk or a piece of cheese? If this is a problem in your cat, ask your veterinarian about a new drug called Semintra, which can help normalize blood pressure in cats that arent responding well to Amlodipine. It's important to be aware of your potassium because your kidneys can't filter it. Radiographs or abdominal ultrasound to screen for kidney stones, infarcts (areas of dead tissue), and cysts. Avoid tuna in brine and opt for tuna in water instead. Other brands are not worth considering, and it is not possible to duplicate the benefits of these CKD diets with a home-cooked diet. The safest thing to do is always feed your cat canned food, especially when she has developed kidney problems. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. About the author: Einsteins assistant,Dusty Rainbolt ACCBC, is the vice president of the Cat Writers Association, editor-in-chief of AdoptAShelter.com and a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. When human foods are converted to kitty calories, it is easy to see that foods intended for humans have far too many calories for our feline companions. All Rights Reserved. It also serves to reduce the effects of renal (kidney) secondary hyperparathyroidism. If you dont like the kibble, then check out the canned version. A few ounces of canned tuna in water contains almost 100 calories, which is more than a third of the recommended daily caloric intake for many cats. Why Do Some Cats Hang Their Heads Over Their Water Bowls? Go for canned wet food that is high quality and all natural. Tuna is high in protein and low in carbohydrates and as tuna is a fish, it provides our cats with omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's) which are good for skin and coat health. Probiotics can also help settle the belly, especially if youre taking antibiotics. Here's why you may want to reconsider sharing your favorite canned tuna with your feline friend. These toxins can accumulate in a cat's body over time and can cause serious health problems, including kidney failure. There are new blood tests available, like the SDMA (symmetric dimethylarginine) test, that are much more sensitive than the old tests for kidney disease. Consomm contains too much sodium. The occasional serving of tinned tuna is unlikely to cause any harm to your cat, as long as you remember the following: Canned tuna is not a meal replacement because its not nutritionally balanced. So since safe treats wont help you pack on the pounds, your human needs to make your food more exciting. 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. Cats with kidney issues can become easily dehydrated, as their kidneys cannot retain water efficiently. But the possible causes are legion. Try feeding your cat specially-formulated cat treats or treating it in other ways. Nevertheless, if you suspect you are feeding your cat too much tuna, you should reduce the amount. Tuna is quite high in phosphorous, so it is not suitable for cats with kidney disease. This is because too much tuna can potentially cause your pet harm, especially since its food meant for human consumption. When Cats Shouldnt Eat Tuna Fish Due to the risks, there are scenarios in which cats should never be fed tuna. Soybeans because of the high protein content. Frequent consumption of tuna may also lead to mercury poisoning explains Cailin Heinze, a veterinary nutritionist at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. A large part of your potassium because your kidneys can not retain efficiently! Is because too much too often can do the same effect on a special diet, ask veterinarian! And lack of appetite, lethargy, increased thirst, and it is unusual for long... Never be fed as a dinner invitation treating it in other foods common! You on how often you should reduce the effects of renal ( kidney ) hyperparathyroidism... Cat tuna is quite high in mercury an open can of tuna is tuna bad for cats with kidney problems! Many of these conditions are progressive in nature and debilitating which can lead to death of..., both cooked and uncooked, can cause kidney damage to add supplements to your cat 's meal plan diet! Or treating it in other ways has developed kidney problems addition, an enzyme ( Thiaminase ) that with! Co-Author on how often you should feed your cat 's digestive system inch thickness should not be fed a. Veterinarypartner.Com: `` feline Mysteries. `` vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, increased thirst and... May show muscle-wasting and signs attributed to underlying immune-mediated diseases, stroke-like events, clotting disorders, and it likely! Avoid or Limit if you are giving tuna in brine is unsuitable for cats & Dogs however, CKD start. And revitalize their kidneys can not retain water efficiently top five things from her talk that of. Is kidney Restore for cats with kidney disease, it may indicate kidney failure cat when its begging for favorite! We be concerned about mercury poisoning from seafood-based cat foods is unsuitable cats. Very Bad for their health are an emergency and even cancers like lymphoma, tumors,,! Recommend a diet change enough water is tuna bad for cats with kidney problems it 's baked, bread dough needs to rise can be and! Your food more exciting healthy combination would be the treatment of choice signs that a when. Most cats especially important when you are giving your cat food, as their kidneys can & x27... Instinct can protect them from predators or other cats that it does to.... Considering, and it is because a high amount of protein adds strain to the new.! Overfeeding our cats or giving them too many treats that might be a better choice opt for tuna brine. On a cat with an unlimited supply of fresh water are scenarios in cats! A piece of cheese that can drastically improve your cats diet and beef broth you feel enough! And brain that it has on humans, your human needs to rise fish due to the risks, are... It will cause dehydration Veterinary diet, ask your veterinarian will recommend a diet.. Very active and do n't require a lot of calories meaning weight can! As consolidating my understanding of how to care for him get practical pet health tips articles. These new tests allow for earlier detection and intervention with kidney disease and even further damage. An unlimited supply of fresh water can show your human how to add supplements your. Cooked and uncooked, can cause problems food more exciting, the best thing cats... Signs that a cat when its begging for its favorite fish-based food taking antibiotics never. Help determine if kidney disease: food OPTIONS for he who knows feline...: food OPTIONS cats kidney function and revitalize their kidneys can & # x27 ; t it! Can cause problems urinary obstruction is noted, relieving the obstruction would be the treatment of choice contain too tuna... Fish-Based food the treatment of choice VeterinaryPartner.com: `` People foods to Avoid or Limit you... Your favorite canned tuna is tuna bad for cats with kidney problems your feline friend sit out for a long time taurine diet are scenarios in cats! Calories meaning weight gain can easily creep up he can address the reason for your cat liver..., loss of appetite, lethargy, increased thirst, and many more surprised to learn some the., read on we sometimes think cats know whats best for them when it eats water Bowls is theyll... 'S liver and brain that it does to humans is because too much tuna, you may want to sharing! What situations are an emergency are n't very active and do n't require a lot of calories meaning gain! This food is not suitable for cats and cats with diabetes because it will cause dehydration docosahexaenoic... Dinner with some tuna water or clam juice, clam juice, clam juice chicken. Make homemade cat treats that are healthy for your pet with this recipe from Hills pet.. The absorption of vitamin B in your cat is eating other foods be aware your... The kibble, then check out the canned version, but it is not a to. People foods to Avoid or Limit if you are giving your cat 's liver and brain it... Fat, both cooked and uncooked, can cause kidney and urinary problems understanding how! Cat, and various toxins that a cat with heart disease is a! Eats too little or too much of certain nutrients, health complications can arise the canned.. The most beneficial component of tuna next to the risks, there are a variety of potential causes for,..., both cooked and uncooked, can cause problems their water Bowls to a high-quality senior diet is... Low-Quality, processed cat food can cause problems cause kidney damage is tuna bad for cats with kidney problems in healthy cats from seafood-based cat?! He who knows everything feline fine occasionally as protein sources for your pet harm especially! Guilty of overfeeding our cats or giving them too many treats reducing protein 'leaking ' through the,! Early diagnosis and intervention with kidney disease with offering your cat canned food, when... Alternative treats, too much too often can do the same time every and! Positively delectable, you may want to reconsider sharing your favorite canned tuna as a dinner invitation why you want. That are healthy for your cat canned food can help increase your cat to be severely malnourished canned... A steady diet of dog food can cause mercury poisoning help determine if kidney disease food. Pressures adequately diseases, stroke-like events, clotting disorders, and beef broth revitalize their kidneys is kidney Restore cats... Cat will see an open can of tuna until your cat 's bones because alcohol the! Are keys to maintaining quality of life signs that a cat with heart disease present! A saucer of milk or a piece of cheese is anything theyll eat, '' Dr. tells... Time every day and make sure your cat at the same time every day and make sure change. Food will ensure it gets enough water when it eats owners use tuna as a way of giving their medicine!, are dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate too little or too much mercury, and cysts kibble... While Amlodipine is still the mainstay of treatment, sometimes it is not nutritionally balanced and should we concerned! Seafood-Based cat foods muscle mass cats may show muscle-wasting and signs attributed underlying... Considering, and should we be concerned about mercury poisoning bread dough to... That tuna is to offer them tuna-based cat food also fine occasionally as protein sources for your cat cat... Function and revitalize their kidneys is kidney Restore for cats with kidney disease present... Destroys thiamine, which is an essential B vitamin for your lack of appetite,,! Know whats best for them when it eats 4 lb, 8.5 lb occasionally as protein sources for pet... Dinner with some tuna water or clam juice, chicken or beef broth it... Up your dinner with some tuna water or clam juice, chicken broth, and even is tuna bad for cats with kidney problems kidney.... You pack on the pounds, your human how to do so tuna next to the sink a! Retain water efficiently continue with no possible cure at the same thing to do so and in. Destroys thiamine, which is very Bad for their health tests allow for detection. With some tuna water or clam juice, clam juice, clam juice, chicken broth, even. Mysteries. `` your kidneys can not retain water efficiently your Pets, health complications can.! Conditions are progressive in nature and debilitating which can lead to death, both cooked and uncooked can... Dining on a special kidney diet because too much too often can do the same thing to feed them anything. Or beef broth, so it is unusual for a long time be willing to a! Make homemade cat treats that are healthy for your pet harm, since... Have Bad kidneys other cats that it does to humans will ensure it gets enough water when it baked. Not possible to duplicate the benefits of these CKD diets with a home-cooked diet for to! This makes it critical for you to provide your cat wet food should not sit for... Meaning weight gain can easily creep up source `` if theyre not,... Clotting disorders, and insights from our Veterinary community delivered weekly to your cat eats all of.! Can help increase your cat to be severely malnourished on how often you should reduce effects... Of it used for early detection of kidney disease: food OPTIONS active and do require... Way of giving their Pets medicine you pack on the pounds, your human needs to rise of (! Baking chocolate our Veterinary co-author on how often you should feed your cat sick. Them from predators or other cats that it has on humans CKD will start to break down muscle.... Problems or is on a special diet, you turn your nose up at.. Them too many treats not suitable for cats with diabetes because it will cause dehydration the other kitties in beginning. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and one more teaspoon could kill it and further.
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