How to Treat Kidney Failure in Cats

Lethargy in your cat is one sign of kidney problem.

To treat kidney failure in cats is to slow the lack of function in the kidneys. There are two ways to help save a cat with kidney failure, medically and through homeopathic methods. Vets may recommend IV (intravenous) fluids though these will not save the cat's life. Subcutaneous fluids are the most successful method of controlling and extending the life of your cat. The other way is homeopathic where you add more nutritious foods and vitamins to the cat's diet.

Instructions

1. Remove all foods that the cat's body doesn't use. Things like preservatives, coloring agents, insecticides and pollutants will only exacerbate any kidney issues.

2. Feed your cat foods that have little protein since that is what the kidneys try to rid themselves of the most.

3. Add water soluble vitamins B, C and especially A along with other minerals that water has washed out.

4. Use the IV and the subcutaneous fluids that the vet gives you. With both working together the possibility of your cat recovering increases. Intravenous treatment may prolong your cat's life for many months or even years.

Tips & Warnings

• Feeding your cat only dry food can also make your cat drink more water. Changing from a dry food to canned food or to a homemade food helps with this so cats don't drink as much removing the main symptom of kidney failure. This will not cure a cat with kidney failure but may relieve the main symptom.

• The main symptom in cats to look for is an increase in the amount of water that the cat drinks and releases. Cats generally do not drink much unless they are ill or the weather is hot. Other symptoms include large amounts of pale urine and having to urinate at night, low energy, no appetite, nausea and vomiting that continue for more than a couple of days.

• Kidney failure is the second leading cause of death in cats. Why and how kidney problems happen to cats is unknown. Often you won't even know your cat has a problem because as long as one-third of the cat's kidney is functional, the cat has a relatively normal life.

References

• "Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats"; Richard H. Pitcairn and Susan H. Pitcairn; 1995
• Feline CRF Information Center