is tuna bad for cats with kidney problems

Set up your myVCA account today. References Citrus fruits because theyre used in commercial cat repellents and it can also upset our tummies. It's a smart idea to always keep the numbers of your local vet, the closest emergency clinic, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center -- (888) 426-4435 -- where you know you can find them in an emergency. It is fine to feed an assortment of kidney diets, including foods from not just one, but two or all three of the companies. Dietary supplements may be prescribed to help with low potassium. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. While kidney disease can be a scary diagnosis, many dogs and cats can live comfortably for years with kidney disease if it is caught early enough and treated appropriately. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a relatively common problem of older cats. 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. Shes the award-winning author of eight fiction and non-fiction books including her most recent paranormal mystery, Death Under the Crescent Moon. Tuna can become addictive to cats due to its rich texture and strong aroma. Remember the saying, "Honest as a cat when the meat's out of reach." [1] Arthritis is really common in older cats, and grossly underreported in the pet feline population because cats hide their pain, and owners are unfamiliar with the signs of pain in cats. They need to consume a lot of water on a regular basis to stay healthy. If protein intake is too low however, CKD will start to break down muscle mass. Ryan Llera, BSc, DVM; Robin Downing, DVM, CVPP, CCRP, DAAPM, Contributors: Ryan Llera, BSc, DVM; Robin Downing, DVM, CVPP, CCRP, DAAPM. Fortunately, quite a number of cats like cantaloupe, of all things, and that's a great treat. Some cats may show muscle-wasting and signs attributed to high blood pressure, such as vision loss and weakness. Got a question for he who knows everything feline? That the advice was understandable and can be easily applied. Just make sure that these are low in sodium. In general, tuna is something that our cats can eat. Featured Image: iStock.com/Phynart Studio. An occasional bite of dog food won't hurt your cat. This is a very essential vitamin for your cat as it supports the following health functions: Immune system Nervous system Digestive tract Phosphorus. Featured Image: iStock.com/Phynart Studio Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? A cat water fountain provides you with fresh-tasting, aerated water and encourages you to drink it. MSNBC.com: "'People Foods' That Can Kill Your Pet. Your veterinarian is your best resource for determining the best nutritional choice for your cat as CKD progresses. Fish is a great source of protein, but there are a few reasons why a steady diet of human-grade canned tuna can cause health problems for your cat. Symptoms of mercury poisoning include dizziness and loss of coordination and balance. Add tuna water or chicken broth to make water taste better. I just dont want to eat much anymore. ", ASPCA: "People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets. My. The first is the possibility of food poisoning from bacteria like salmonella or E. coli. If your cat has medical problems or is on a special diet, ask your veterinarian before feeding tuna to . Additionally, the kidneys serve to regulate the bodys balance of fluids, minerals, and electrolytes. Monitoring food consumption is very important when managing your cat's health. ~ 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. ", 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! Some tuna now and then probably won't hurt. Even though we are advocates for a raw food diet for cats, raw tuna can be bad for cats. Keeping food items where your cat can't get to them and keeping pantry and cupboard doors closed will help protect your cat from serious food-related illness. Phosphorous: elevated phosphorous levels typically indicate kidney damage. ", VeterinaryPartner.com: "Feline Mysteries.". 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. It is unsuitable for cats with kidney disease. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'm Richard, the lead writer for Senior Cat Wellness. Cats instinctively prefer food thats the body temperature of a mouse. In this report on Science Direct, experimenters tested the mercury levels in 101 pet foods, and heres what they found: Vets do not commonly see Mercury toxicity, but that doesnt mean that minor, gradual damage isnt being caused by moderate levels of mercury in cats diets. Today were discussing if tuna fish is safe for cats with kidney disease. Adding other kidney-friendly foods into their diet can bring the additional flavor. Some cats that experience acute kidney insults can recover, although there may be long-term effects that can lead to chronic kidney failure. What is the life expectancy of a cat with kidney disease? This is a serious condition that can affect your cat's bones. While tuna is fine for cats in moderation or as a treat, too much canned tuna can be bad for your cat. Ask Einstein: Im a Cat with Kidney Disease; What Can I Eat? Be patient and do not try to rush your cat into eating the new food right away. Due to water pollution, all fish and shellfish contain some mercury. But a steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to malnutrition because it won't have all the nutrients a cat needs. If your cat is having difficulty eating, warm up its food to around 80 degrees Fahrenheit to make it more enticing. Less protein also means lessneed for the excretion of protein itself through the filtration mechanism of the kidney, which helps preserve kidney function. About Us / Just Ask Einstein in the comments below and you might be featured in an upcoming column. When you think about kidney disease in cats, pain control is likely not the first thing that comes to mind. Progression of chronic kidney disease will continue with no possible cure. However, we now know that cats with kidney disease are in pain, not only from their kidney disease, but also from arthritis. 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. Cats shouldnt be fed canned tuna in oil or brine. And a cat can choke on a bone. All rights reserved. Increasing water intake will also help your cat to stay hydrated. They love the powerful smell and the robust flavor of this fish, and a spoonful of tuna has been known to make the medicine go down easily. ", professionals. And never give your cat any over-the-counter medicine unless advised to do so by your vet. These are as follows: Kidney Problems Although cats with kidney disease benefit from quality, digestible protein, canned tuna is unsuitable because it is high in phosphorous. Cats love seafood, and most cats are especially fond of canned tuna and tuna juice. Bones can also splinter and cause an obstruction or cut the insideof your cat's digestive system. Ask a Vet: Can You Save a Cat with Kidney Disease? ~ Ideally the pet would eat only one kidney diet, but it is unusual for a cat to be willing to do so. Here are the reasons why tuna is unhealthy for cats: Some forms of tuna are safer for cats to eat than others. 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. Give it to your cat at the same time every day and make sure your cat eats all of it. Cats diagnosed early on with kidney disease will benefit from nutritional management and more frequent veterinary attention which may include more frequent checkups and blood work. You may not have to switch to a therapeutic kidney diet (aka prescription cat food) just yet, however. Eating chocolate can cause abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and death. ", Today. For cats with kidney disease, two to three times a week is considered safe. It isnt easy to say no to a cat when its begging for its favorite fish-based food. Diseased kidneys are not as effective at excreting waste products from the body through the urine. Based on the cause, additional therapy may be instituted, such as: Aggressive IV antibiotics, if infection is present, Immunosuppressive-type drugs for auto-immune diseases, Antithrombotics (to prevent blood clot formation), Chemotherapy and/or surgery (if cancer is part of the underlying cause). Whole meat baby food. 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. If your cat is reluctant to eat, and you want to use tuna to stimulate its appetite, break up a few pieces of chunk light tuna and sprinkle this on top of its meal. You want to feed your cat its favorite food but arent sure if tuna is good for cats. Clinical signs are often related to the severity of the kidney disease and underlying cause. Your veterinarian will most likely recommend additional diagnostic testing, including: A urine protein to creatinine (UPC) ratio to quantify how much protein is being lost in the urine. 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. Make sure to change your cats diet gradually over a few weeks so it can get used to the new food. Nevertheless, if you suspect you are feeding your cat too much tuna, you should reduce the amount. For more information on this condition please see the handout "Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats". A steady diet of hard, low-quality, processed cat food can also cause kidney and urinary problems. 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. 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. 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. Tuna fish can be found in many cat foods and treats. This makes it critical for you to provide your cat with an unlimited supply of fresh water. It's also in some cold medicines and painkillers. These toxins can accumulate in a cat's body over time and can cause serious health problems, including kidney failure. Take a bowl and mix together 1/2 cup of peanut butter, 1/2 cup of rolled oats, and 1 egg. A cat with heart disease is fed a low sodium and high taurine diet. Go for cat food that is advertised as low sodium. This is great news for cat parents, as more information can lead to more informed decisions about food, and ultimately better health for their cat. Im an old cat; I mean really old 24, to be exact. And that can of tuna can be just as dangerous. Probiotics can also help settle the belly, especially if youre taking antibiotics. . 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. The recommended phosphorus range on a dry matter basis for cats with CKD is 0.3-0.6%. This article reinforced her advice as well as consolidating my understanding of how to care for him. . Just like in humans, obesity in cats contributes to health concerns such as diabetes, urinary disease, arthritis, and inflammation, reports Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University. By using our site, you agree to our. The problem is that tuna is naturally very high in mercury. Since phosphorus content is related to protein content, it is impossible to achieve these lower levels of phosphorus without limiting protein content. This in turn helps to maintain a reasonable blood pressure. It has a unique flavor that is different from white-fleshed fish. Fat, both cooked and uncooked, can cause intestinal upset, with vomiting and diarrhea. Among the many edible species of fish, tuna is not good for your dog with kidney disease. Cats cannot survive without their kidneys. Tuna has a strong, fishy smell that is very appealing to cats. There is some debate over whether or not giving your cat canned tuna is a good idea. ~ The most important thing nutritionally for a cat with CKD is that they consume a reasonable amount of calories from a reasonable quality food or foods. Tuna is a decent food option for cats with kidney disease if served in moderation. So its best to just keep kitties eating until they respond to treatment, and wait until theyre feeling better before changing their diet.". 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. Nonetheless, one main issue in tuna is mercury toxicity. Most indoor cats aren't very active and don't require a lot of calories meaning weight gain can easily creep up. The water should be changed daily, especially if you add flavor to it. #Q: What foods are bad for cats with kidney disease? The problem is that tuna is naturally very high in mercury. In order to continue to rid the body of its toxins despite more dilute urine, the body compensates by stimulating greater thirst. The Merck Veterinary Manual lists fish as a top food allergen for cats, noting that common signs of an allergic reaction include itching, hair loss, red or swollen skin and red bumps. 17 Foods to Avoid or Limit If You Have Bad Kidneys. Some cats will seem to reject all attempts to be converted to kidney diet. These fish live in shallower waters and will have consumed less prey during their lifetime, so the mercury concentrations in their bodies will be significantly lower. 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. When Cats Shouldnt Eat Tuna Fish Due to the risks, there are scenarios in which cats should never be fed tuna. Urine specific gravity: a marker of how diluted or concentrated the urine is. You can also put out flavored waters, like chicken or tuna water, for your cat to encourage it to drink. veterinarian has been very informative. So its important that you eat something, anything, until Mom can slowly switch you to a kidney-friendly food. Anything else is too salty and fatty, which is very bad for their health. The second is rare problem in which a protein in raw egg whites, called avidin, could interfere with the absorption of the B vitamin biotin. You should also use food with low levels of protein, which is easier for the kidneys to process. Who Won the Catster Purrrific Photo Contest in 2018? Not sure what signs of pain to look for? These healthy treat options will be an amalgam of a clean protein diet with something that has high nutritional value. Giving your cat wet food will ensure it gets enough water when it eats. Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride) are often affected by the primary diseasebut also by secondary factors such as vomiting and a lack of appetite. Just two teaspoons of whisky can cause a coma in a 5-pound cat, and one more teaspoon could kill it. ", Columbia Animal Hospital Newsletter: "Paws & Claws. Your mom can always boil a chicken for broth and share a treat of meat with you (if your vet says okie dokey). Sometimes, all that is needed in the beginning is to switch to a high-quality senior diet. Many cats do not like canned food and will eat better when fed some dry food or exclusively dry food. The safest way to feed your cat tuna is to offer them tuna-based cat food. Learn how to make homemade cat treats that are healthy for your pet with this recipe from Hills Pet Nutrition. Some cats may become extremely fussy about food and refuse to eat anything besides tuna. Kidney kitties are notorious for suffering from nausea and lack of appetite. {"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":"