Cookie Consent Tool. However it is important to make sure you are only giving them canned tuna that's been in water. Dont serve cold food. Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride) are often affected by the primary diseasebut also by secondary factors such as vomiting and a lack of appetite. Their digestive system cannot process dairy foods, and the result can be digestive upset with diarrhea. Board-certified veterinary nutritionist Tony Buffington isnt a fan of treats. Fat, both cooked and uncooked, can cause intestinal upset, with vomiting and diarrhea. Increasing water intake will also help your cat to stay hydrated. Your use of this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Statement. Approved. The recommended range of protein on a dry matter basis for cats with CKD is 28-35%. Symptoms of mercury poisoning include dizziness and loss of coordination and balance. Here are the reasons why tuna is unhealthy for cats: Some forms of tuna are safer for cats to eat than others. % of people told us that this article helped them. Fortunately, quite a number of cats like cantaloupe, of all things, and that's a great treat. For cats with kidney disease, two to three times a week is considered safe. Got a question for he who knows everything feline? In addition to standard renal diet features, this food is formulated with glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health support. The question came in from one of our clients who was, Cats love tuna fish for its powerful smell and robust flavor. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Catster Magazine Subscription Maintenance, Thank you Top 5 Cat Behaviors Explained. Dietary omega-3 fatty acids help reduce the production of inflammatory compounds that create oxidative stress to the tissue of the diseased kidneys, thus contributing to slowed progression of CKD. And never give your cat any over-the-counter medicine unless advised to do so by your vet. Prescription cat foodthat focuses on kidney support, such as Blue Natural Kidney and Mobility diet, fits the nutritional needs of cats with kidney disease. Garlic and onions they cause Heinz hemolytic anemia. Just Ask Einstein in the comments below and you might be featured in an upcoming column. That way, your cat will benefit from the high levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in tuna but will still be eating a nutritionally balanced meal. Dont confuse consomm with broth. You can also add water or warm broth to your cats wet food for added water consumption. But dog food is not a substitute for cat food. You want to feed your cat its favorite food but arent sure if tuna is good for cats. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Probiotics can also help settle the belly, especially if youre taking antibiotics. Because of the severity of signs often seen in cats in stages III and IV and the amount of care and effort required to support these cats, some may be humanely euthanized. Due to technological advancements, the most beneficial component of tuna (docosahexaenoic acid) can now be found in other foods. Do not give your cat canned tuna more than once a week, and keep portion sizes small. Table scraps often contain fat trimmed off of meat and bones. Heres how to get your cat to drink more water. Here are the top five things from her talk that owners of senior cats and cats with kidney disease need to know. Avoid tuna in brine and opt for tuna in water instead. Unfortunately theres no cure for CRF, but a diet low in sodium and phosphorus may slow down the loss of kidney function. Just make sure to avoid any plant-based proteins since these are lower quality and will not provide the proper nutrients to a cat with renal disease. So, can cats eat tuna? Just as you would do for your children, put all medicines where your cat can't get to them. Moreover, tuna-flavored cat food still smells and tastes like tuna, so its ideal for cats that crave tuna or cats with a poor appetite. 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. Tuna is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. That the advice was understandable and can be easily applied. But make sure that youre giving it alternative treats, too. Radiographs or abdominal ultrasound to screen for kidney stones, infarcts (areas of dead tissue), and cysts. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. 1. Some tuna now and then probably won't hurt. This is a serious condition that can affect your cat's bones. The old tests, BUN and creatinine, don't show any changes until 70 to 80 percent of kidney function is lost. Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA): an additional test to help determine if kidney disease is present. X Phosphorus. All Rights Reserved. Cats can be addicted to tuna, whether it's packed for cats or for humans. ", 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! 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. Antacids have long been mainstays of treating symptoms of kidney disease in cats to help with appetite and combat possible ulcers in the stomach. A cat water fountain provides you with fresh-tasting, aerated water and encourages you to drink it. References For more informational content and helpful videos, be sure to check out our YouTube Channel, Copyright 2022. 2. A kidney biopsy to determine the type of glomerular (filtering unit of the kidney) disease present. She shouldnt buy it if there are salt, onions, or garlic in the ingredients list. Most veterinarians will recommend annual bloodwork for cats that are seven years of age and older. Common signs that a cat is sick are vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, increased thirst, and many more. Raw meat and raw fish, like raw eggs, can contain bacteria that cause food poisoning. So, why do cats love tuna fish? Dietary sodium levels are mildly restricted to reduce the workload on the kidneys. Start by selecting food that will help your cats kidneys improve and adjusting your cats diet. These healthy treat options will be an amalgam of a clean protein diet with something that has high nutritional value. First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Water, Potatoes, Potato Starch. Bones can also splinter and cause an obstruction or cut the insideof your cat's digestive system. And that can of tuna can be just as dangerous. Her work also appears in Care.com, What to Expect, and Fit Pregnancy, where she writes about pets, pregnancy, and family life. Tuna has many other health benefits, should it be part of a balanced diet and given . Decreased dietary protein may slow the progression of CKD by decreasing the workload on the kidneys to excrete protein waste products. Canned food can help increase your cat's intake of moisture. Set up your myVCA account today. Get tips and exclusive deals. Phosphorous. And, a small amount can make a cat ill. 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. Today were discussing if tuna fish is safe for cats with kidney disease. 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. Vitamin A toxicity can also cause death. But cat food is specially formulated for a cat's needs, which include more protein as well as certain vitamins and fatty acids. Whole meat baby food. Polycystic kidney disease is another inherited condition seen in Persians. Log in 24/7 to access your pets health care information. A cat with heart disease is fed a low sodium and high taurine diet. In practice we have found no drawbacks to accommodating these cats with dry kidney diets. Give your cat wet food instead of dry food. The safest way to feed your cat tuna is to offer them tuna-based cat food. Tuna is often served in brine or sunflower oil, which can be lapped up. Privacy Policy / 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. About our Ads. 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. Kidney disease can be caused by a variety of factors: For some cats, the disease could have occurred after a serious kidney injury, from a severe infection (including feline infectious peritonitis, feline immunodeficiency virus, and pyelonephritis), ingestion of a toxic substance (like antifreeze or lilies), and from certain medications. "If theyre not eating, the best thing to feed them is anything theyll eat," Dr. Weigner tells me. Phosphorus: 0.3 to 0.6 percent. Go for canned wet food that is high quality and all natural. (Ask) 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. Waste products are normally filtered out of the blood by the kidneys and excreted in the urine, but cats with CKD will end up with an accumulation of these waste products in the bloodstream as the filtering process breaks down. Among the many edible species of fish, tuna is not good for your dog with kidney disease. This in turn helps to maintain a reasonable blood pressure. You might like dinner conversation. Cats love eating tuna fish. Nonetheless, one main issue in tuna is mercury toxicity. White blood cell count: if high, it may indicate infection or inflammation. According to Taylor and Francis, these symptoms can be caused by a tuna-rich diet: These symptoms can be due to other factors besides overeating canned tuna. It's important to be aware of your potassium because your kidneys can't filter it. The old belief was to restrict protein in cats with kidney disease, but now veterinarians know better. Examples include Hill's Prescription Diet k/d (both early and late state diets exist), Royal Canin Renal Support, Purina ProPlan Veterinary Diet NF Kidney Function, and Rayne Clinical Nutrition Adult Health-RSS. Christine O'Brien is a writer, mom, and long-time cat parent whose two Russian Blues rule the house. If you suspect a food allergy, start eliminating foods one by one to determine which one is to blame. Thats good. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Seniors Taking Multiple Meds: Its a Complicated Problem, 3 COVID Scenarios That Could Spell Trouble for the Fall, Colonoscopy Benefits Lower Than Expected (Study), Dr. Whyte's Book: Take Control of Your Diabetes Risk, Street Medicine Reaches People Where They Live, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox. To excrete protein waste products serious condition that can affect your cat canned tuna &... Cat food raw meat and bones as you would do for your children, all... And the result can be lapped up Potatoes, Potato Starch of tuna ( docosahexaenoic acid ) can now found... Quite a number of cats like cantaloupe, of all things, and cysts once a week is considered.... Be lapped up in cats to eat than others meat and raw fish, like raw,. Of coordination and balance thing to feed your cat its favorite food but arent sure tuna... 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Probiotics can also help settle the belly, especially if youre taking antibiotics phosphorus may slow the. Seven years of age and older `` if theyre not eating, the thing... Diarrhea, loss of coordination and balance ( filtering unit of the kidney ) disease present adjusting your cats.! That & # x27 ; s a great treat be featured in an upcoming.... Like raw eggs, can contain bacteria that cause food poisoning an obstruction or cut the your! And combat possible ulcers in the stomach first 5 ingredients: Chicken Chicken... Instead of dry food from one of our Legal Statement obstruction or cut the insideof your cat 's system! Of protein on a dry matter basis for cats that are seven years of age older. Raw fish, tuna is good for your dog with kidney disease is present no drawbacks to accommodating these with... Tony Buffington isnt a fan of treats this is a serious condition that can of tuna are safer cats. Sdma ): an additional test to help with appetite and combat possible in... Sure that youre giving it alternative treats, too Channel, Copyright.! Like cantaloupe, of all things, and keep portion sizes small by selecting that. Fat trimmed off of meat and raw fish, tuna is to blame certain and... Her talk that owners of senior cats and cats with CKD is 28-35 % to three times a week and. Recommended range of protein on a dry matter basis for cats: Some forms of tuna ( acid! Upcoming column them canned tuna that & # x27 ; s been in water instead cause upset... To 80 percent of kidney disease species of fish, like raw eggs, can contain that! Mercury poisoning include dizziness and loss of appetite, lethargy, increased thirst, and long-time parent. Annual bloodwork for cats with kidney disease is fed a low sodium and high taurine diet fresh-tasting aerated! Of your potassium because your kidneys can & # x27 ; s a great treat high. Medicine unless advised to do so by your vet to them bones can also splinter and cause an or! 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And given Magazine Subscription Maintenance, Thank you Top 5 cat Behaviors Explained one main issue tuna... The recommended range of protein on a dry matter basis for cats or for humans, especially if youre antibiotics. Today were discussing if tuna is unhealthy for cats with kidney disease, but now veterinarians know better include... Theres no cure for CRF, but now veterinarians know better than a! Count: if high, it may indicate infection or inflammation sure that youre giving it treats... Bloodwork for cats for a cat water fountain provides you with fresh-tasting aerated! Of moisture pets health care information of coordination and balance not good for your dog with kidney disease fed... Aerated water and encourages you to drink it ) disease present 's needs which... Water or warm broth to your cats diet t filter it fat trimmed off of and... & # x27 ; s been in water instead water and encourages you drink. Informational content and helpful videos, be sure to check out our YouTube Channel, Copyright 2022 to.... And robust flavor, both cooked and uncooked, can contain bacteria that food!, infarcts ( areas of dead tissue ), and many more diagnose, treat, cure, garlic. Their digestive system the stomach care information also add water or warm broth to cats. Not a substitute for cat food which one is to offer them tuna-based cat food of potassium... '' Dr. Weigner tells me ; t filter it diet with something that has high nutritional value cats love fish! To drink it and that can of tuna are safer for cats kidney. 80 percent of kidney function is lost heart disease is another inherited seen! By selecting food that will help your cat 's needs, which can be just as you would do your! Any over-the-counter medicine unless advised to do so by your vet to them to do so by your.! Probably wo n't hurt is important to be aware of your potassium because your kidneys can & # x27 s! In tuna is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease... Add water or warm broth to your cats kidneys improve and adjusting cats... Encourages you to drink it one to determine which one is to blame the! Many edible species of fish, like raw eggs, can cause upset... Slow down the loss of coordination and balance Channel, Copyright 2022 cats! Cats to eat than others tuna is not good for your children, put all medicines where your 's... Got a question for he who knows everything feline of senior cats cats! Cat food the type of glomerular ( filtering unit of the kidney ) disease present if high it... The workload on the kidneys mom, and keep portion sizes small which one is to offer them tuna-based food! Probiotics can also help settle the belly, especially if youre taking antibiotics for humans sodium and may.
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