As always, consult with your vet before making any dietary changes.
It’s a sad fact that 80 percent of cats will develop kidney disease. This is life-threatening, causing severe complications that can affect other organs as well, and ultimately lead to renal failure and death. (vet.cornell.edu)
Obviously, if we can help our kitties avoid this terrible disease, we will. Marc Ching is a fourth generation Japanese herbalist and holistic nutritionist for pets. He brings Eastern medical methodologies and homeopathic healing of animal ailments through healthful, individualized, real-food diets.
He owns the PetStaurant in Los Angeles, where staffers help patrons select from food prepared in-house or from about two dozen brands of healthy foods and snacks that are gluten-free, organic, and hypoallergenic.
“The most common cause of kidney failure in cats is associated and linked to diet, specifically dry cat food.” Ching told iHeartCats.
If you are looking to help prevent kidney disease in your kitty, or already have a cat suffering from kidney issues, Ching provided us with the following tips on natural ways to help.
#1 – Limit or remove dry kibble from your cat’s diet
Cats are very sensitive creatures, and require moisture in order to live long and healthy lives. Dry cat food soaks up moisture during the digestive process. This creates an internal environment inside of your cat that puts pressure on the kidneys, requiring them to work harder. Long-term feeding of dry food is the leading cause of kidney-related disease in cats.
#2 – Give your cat Milk Thistle
Adding milk thistle to your cat’s diet is a great way to build a preventative measure to help keep your cat’s kidneys healthy. Silymarin is the active ingredient in milk thistle that does wonders in regards to protecting the kidneys, as well as helping the organ to filter toxins in the body.
#3 – Add krill oil to food
In research studies, doses of krill oil have been shown to slow the progression of renal failure and major kidney disease. Rich in astaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids, Krill oil can be an all-around benefit for your cat. Most cats really enjoy the taste, so not only is it a great supplement to help slow the progression of kidney disease, but it can be an excellent topper for a picky cat.
#4 – Make sure that your cat has plenty of available fresh water
Monitoring your cat’s water intake is important. Most cats are very finicky, so if you notice your cat not drinking enough water, you may have to change the type of bowl you are using, or get a cat water fountain. Most cats seem to enjoy a fountain where water is constantly circulated.
#5 – Add more wet food to your cat’s diet
Wet food is significantly more expensive than dry food. If cost is not a big issue for you, you should try to feed your cat a wet food-only diet. When using wet food, we recommend feeding your feline a minimum of three times a day. If you are on a budget, replacing one dry meal with a wet canned food meal can go a long way in reducing kidney-associated ailments.
#6 – Add a full-spectrum probiotic to your cat’s diet
This can significantly help reduce your cat’s kidney-associated symptoms, as well as stave off disease. A full-spectrum probiotic can help reduce the amount of toxins in the body. Beneficial bacteria eat harmful bacteria and indigestible material in the body, as well as reduce toxins. We recommend Whole Leaf Organics Immunity.
