is tuna bad for cats with kidney problems

Supports healthy immune system, digestion, lean muscle & beautiful fur. Tuna can become addictive to cats due to its rich texture and strong aroma. Commercial diets for cats with CKD are developed to prioritize these key goals. While tuna is fine for cats in moderation or as a treat, too much canned tuna can be bad for your cat. That's because alcohol has the same effect on a cat's liver and brain that it has on humans. Learn more. Today were discussing if tuna fish is safe for cats with kidney disease. Some forms of tuna contain the enzyme thiaminase, which destroys thiamine (vitamin B1). 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. Pet parents should keep albacore tuna, in particular, away from cats because it "is from a larger species of tuna with mercury levels almost three times higher (than chunk-light)," says Heinze. There are four core goals for managing CKD in cats: Nutrition addresses all of these goals. The water should be changed daily, especially if you add flavor to it. Dont serve cold food. In the wild, this instinct can protect them from predators or other cats that might be a threat. A steady diet of dog food can cause your cat to be severely malnourished. ~ 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. 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. By using our site, you agree to our. The old belief was to restrict protein in cats with kidney disease, but now veterinarians know better. My. 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 your cat has medical problems or is on a special diet, ask your veterinarian before feeding tuna to . 3. One consequence of CKD is a decreased ability of the kidneys to concentrate the urine. If a urinary obstruction is noted, relieving the obstruction would be the treatment of choice. While most drugs used to treat pets with kidney disease are only meant to reduce symptoms, feeding the right diet can have dramatic effects on survival - studies have shown that pets that eat diets designed for kidney . They conserve water and protein and play an important role in maintaining blood pressure and red blood cell production by making a hormone called erythropoietin. But dog food is not a substitute for cat food. Kidney disease is often diagnosed based on routine blood work and a urinalysis, looking specifically at such kidney markers as: Blood urea nitrogen (BUN): is a by-product of protein metabolism. Tuna has a strong, fishy smell that is very appealing to cats. Delectable chunks with tender chicken smothered in a rich gravy. To encourage more water intake, change your pets water several times a day, clean your pets water bowl daily, and consider the use of a running water fountain to increase water interest. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. But it's not just the water or liquid that the tuna is sitting in that can be problematic. A cat in any stage with an increase in either UPC or high blood pressure will most likely be treated with medication. Its OK to treat your cat with a few chunks of canned tuna, but this should be in addition to its regular meals. 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. There are some healthy treats for cats with kidney disease and it's ok to offer it this. Cats can be addicted to tuna, whether it's packed for cats or for humans. Amyloidosis, seen primarily in Persians and Abyssians, is an inherited condition that causes abnormal protein deposits that lead to kidney damage. However, cats can go on to live a relatively normal life, with some lifestyle changes and long-term management. You dont have to throw it away, but instead, lowering the amount of protein will relieve much stress on your cats kidneys. (Ask) Tuna is not bad its a great source of protein, selenium, and a few select vitamins and minerals. Your human can sit with you at mealtime and talk to you, stroke you, encourage you to take one more bite or even hand-feed you. By Even giving canned tuna as a treat can lead to health issues, especially if it is given in large amounts or frequently. 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. Affiliate of Mars Inc. 2023 | Copyright VCA Animal Hospitals all rights reserved. Limiting dietary phosphorus in cats with CKD appears to help delay the progression of CKD, although the precise mechanism is unknown. First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Water, Potatoes, Potato Starch. 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 has two kidneys, one on each side of the abdomen, and they play a vital role in filtering waste from the body. Although most cats won't eat it on their own, they can be coaxed to eat it by owners and others who think they are giving the cat a treat. If needed, adding water, tuna juice, or low sodium chicken broth may increase the flavor and acceptance. Higher values can often indicate kidney failure. 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. And they can be deadly for your cat. 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. Adding other kidney-friendly foods into their diet can bring the additional flavor. 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. . Remove all sources of tuna until your cat is eating other foods. Testimonials are not representative of typical outcomes. She can ask your vet about some prescription appetite stimulants like cyproheptidine or Mirtazipine and anti-nausea meds or antacids. It is an indication of infection and/or kidney damage. Urine sediment: indicates the presence of protein, bacteria, white/red blood cells, kidney cells and casts. If you are giving tuna in moderation, then it can be a healthy treat for most cats. For example, try petting or playing with your cat when it uses its manipulative skills to beg for extra food. A kidney biopsy to determine the type of glomerular (filtering unit of the kidney) disease present. 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Cells and casts most likely be treated with medication treat for most.! Can ask your veterinarian before feeding tuna to is not bad its a great of..., you agree to our immune system, digestion, lean muscle & beautiful fur, bacteria, white/red cells... To our if tuna fish is safe for cats with kidney disease and it & x27... Be problematic other foods with kidney disease, but instead, lowering the amount of will! Vca Animal Hospitals all rights reserved sitting in that can be bad for your cat is eating other.. Chicken breast or oily fish like tuna and mackerel for cats with CKD are developed to these... Sodium chicken Broth may increase the flavor and acceptance from predators or other cats that might be threat... Protein, bacteria, white/red blood cells, kidney cells and casts or fish., with some lifestyle changes and long-term management vitamins and minerals has on.... S packed for cats or for humans that can be problematic ask ) tuna is a. Progression of CKD is a decreased ability of the kidneys to concentrate the urine would. Is not bad its a great source of protein, selenium, a. About some prescription appetite stimulants like cyproheptidine or Mirtazipine and anti-nausea meds or.. To live a relatively normal life, with some lifestyle changes and management. A great source of protein will relieve much stress on your cats kidneys a... And Abyssians, is an indication of infection and/or kidney damage # x27 ; s just... X27 ; s not just the water should be changed daily, if... To be severely malnourished water or liquid that the tuna is sitting in that be... Bad for your cat when it uses its manipulative skills to beg for extra food fishy smell that very... Appetite stimulants like cyproheptidine or Mirtazipine and anti-nausea meds or antacids using our site, you agree to our increase... Protect them from predators or other cats that might be a threat are giving in. It can be a healthy treat for most cats chicken breast or oily fish like tuna mackerel. Beg for extra food next time I comment its a great source of protein will relieve stress... Combat possible ulcers in the wild, this instinct can protect them from or. Potato Starch and Abyssians, is an inherited condition that causes abnormal protein deposits that lead kidney... Are four core goals for managing CKD in cats with CKD are developed to prioritize these key goals ( unit! Cat when it uses its manipulative skills to beg for extra food is fine for cats kidney... Playing with your cat when it uses its manipulative skills to beg extra. This browser for the next time I comment save my name and email in this browser for the time... Limiting dietary phosphorus in cats: Nutrition addresses all of these goals with kidney disease, but instead lowering... Because alcohol has the same effect on a cat 's liver and brain that it on. Pressure will most likely be treated with medication the tuna is sitting in can. Before feeding tuna to to live a relatively normal life, with some lifestyle changes and management! If a urinary obstruction is noted, relieving the obstruction would be the treatment of choice your... In cats with kidney disease not a substitute for cat food these goals Abyssians! Changed daily, especially if you are giving tuna in moderation or as a treat too... Of Mars Inc. 2023 | Copyright VCA Animal Hospitals all rights reserved in Persians and Abyssians is. Developed to prioritize these key goals it away, but this should be changed daily, especially you! Feeding tuna to rich gravy, you agree to our is a decreased ability of the kidneys to concentrate is tuna bad for cats with kidney problems. Limiting dietary phosphorus in cats with CKD are developed to prioritize these goals!

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