Aside from that, consistent mercury consumption can lead to kidney disease. If you have noticed any digestive issues in your cat, its possible that the occasional piece of tuna is to blame. Ask Einstein: Im a Cat with Kidney Disease; What Can I Eat? Looking for a convenient way to access your pets health records, refill prescriptions, view upcoming appointments and more? The problem is that tuna is naturally very high in mercury. ", ASPCA: "People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets. Low-sodium chicken broth and tuna juice would be fine, as are most vegetables, if they like them. Here are the top five things from her talk that owners of senior cats and cats with kidney disease need to know. 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. Remember Im not a vet, but I watch Animal Planet. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. There are many kidney diets, not just the brand your vet carries. For tips from our Veterinary co-author on how to add supplements to your cat's diet, read on! Kidney disease is managed mostly with the aid of medications, diet, and hydration. For example, tuna has too much unsaturated fat and is not supplemented with Vitamin E or other antioxidants. Remove all sources of tuna until your cat is eating other foods. 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. The problem is that tuna is naturally very high in mercury. Some causes of kidney disease may be preventable (such as toxicologic causes), but unfortunately, most causes are not. Your veterinarian is your best resource for determining the best nutritional choice for your cat as CKD progresses. A cat shouldnt be given tuna daily because it can cause mercury poisoning. Cats with certain health issues, such as inflammatory bowel disease, should not eat tuna because it may cause flare-ups. The canning/cooking process destroys thiaminase, so canned and cooked tuna is less likely to lead to a vitamin B1 deficiency than raw tuna. That's true even for the onion powder that's found in some baby foods. While Amlodipine is still the mainstay of treatment, sometimes it is not enough to lower blood pressures adequately. The recommended phosphorus range on a dry matter basis for cats with CKD is 0.3-0.6%. Their digestive system cannot process dairy foods, and the result can be digestive upset with diarrhea. Your vet can show your human how to do this at home. It also serves to reduce the effects of renal (kidney) secondary hyperparathyroidism. Many other items commonly found on kitchen shelves can harm your cat. Anything else is too salty and fatty, which is very bad for their health. Last Updated: April 18, 2019 But the possible causes are legion. 3. That's because alcohol has the same effect on a cat's liver and brain that it has on humans. Less protein also means lessneed for the excretion of protein itself through the filtration mechanism of the kidney, which helps preserve kidney function. Tuna can become addictive to cats due to its rich texture and strong aroma. My. Some tuna now and then probably won't hurt. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Low sodium is also important for the maintenance of your cats kidneys, especially if it has kidney issues. If you feed your cat canned tuna, make sure its in spring water rather than brine (saltwater) or sunflower oil. Raw tuna contains thiaminase, which is an enzyme that destroys thiamine (vitamin B1.). Start treating your cat in other ways. It isnt easy to say no to a cat when its begging for its favorite fish-based food. I just dont want to eat much anymore. Chocolate can be lethal for cats. If you notice any of the signs above, take your cat to a veterinarian for examination as soon as possible. Some kitties can be coaxed to eat. Tuna is a decent food option for cats with kidney disease if served in moderation. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using products based on this content. . In addition, SDMA is much less affected by dehydration and protein loss than BUN and creatinine. If you keep feeding them tuna, your cat may be at an elevated risk for mercury toxicity. However, cats can go on to live a relatively normal life, with some lifestyle changes and long-term management. 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. Omega-3 fatty acids: 0.4 to 2.5 percent. The old belief was to restrict protein in cats with kidney disease, but now veterinarians know better. Cats with kidney problems like chronic kidney disease need to maintain a special diet to stay healthy and manage their symptoms. Did you know that the kidneys secrete a hormone that regulates blood pressure? Although tuna is a healthy snack for most cats, for some cats it can cause problems. Small amounts of liver are OK, but eating too much liver can cause vitamin A toxicity. 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.. Juice up your dinner with some tuna water or clam juice, chicken or beef broth. While the other kitties in the house may think your kidney cuisine is positively delectable, you turn your nose up at it. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'm Richard, the lead writer for Senior Cat Wellness. Repeated vomiting and hyperactivity are early signs. The systemic effects and long-term implications, however, can certainly be debilitating and often lead to painful conditions. Tuna is high in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and B vitamins, but it lacks many nutrients that cats need to stay healthy. Specific management is geared toward the underlying cause (if known) as well as the stage of the disease. She shouldnt buy it if there are salt, onions, or garlic in the ingredients list. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. 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. And, that's exactly what it would do in your cat's stomach if your cat ate it. Add tuna water or chicken broth to make water taste better. Renal cat food often contains rabbit meat because it is naturally low in phosphorous. 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