Kidney disease in cats can be a very hard thing to deal with. While just about all kidney diseases are chronic, there are many things you can do to help mitigate the damage and progression of the disease. One of the most important ways to help control kidney disease in cats is by giving them the right diet. If a cat with kidney disease loses weight rapidly, they could die.
When it comes to the diet of a cat with kidney disease, the most important nutrients it is important that they don’t have too much sodium, phosphorous, or proteins. However, it is imperative that your cat still gets enough calories to maintain their weight.
How to help a cat with kidney disease gain weight
The best way to help a cat with kidney disease gain weight is with a high calorie/low protein diet, calorie paste, and a medication called Mirtazapine.
High Calorie, Low Protein Diet
I personally recommend this cat food to help your cat with kidney disease gain weight: Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care Dry Cat Food.
Another option is Forza10 Active Kidney Renal Diet Dry Cat Food.
The key way to help a cat with kidney disease gain weight is by ensuring they are getting enough calories without too much protein. You want to make sure that your cat is getting around 2.5 grams of protein per lb of body weight each day. You should also make sure that your cat with kidney disease consumes around 35 calories per lbs of body weight.
It is important that you don’t go over these limits, as that can also be dangerous to your cat’s health. You should also avoid cat food that is high in phosphorus. You can learn more about the best diet for you cat in my guide on the best prescription food for cats with kidney disease.
You should also ensure that your cat is drinking a lot of water. This will help your cat digest the food and increase their appetite. Dehydration is also a symptom of kidney disease, so it is extra important that you ensure your cat has access to fresh, clean drinking water.
If your cat has a fleat infestation, you should read my guide on flea treatment for cats with kidney disease.
Calorie Paste for Cats
Calorie paste is another great and easy way to help your cat with kidney disease gain weight. You can easily apply it into the food you already give your cat. This will help your cat reach the appropriate number of calories on a daily basis.
Mirtazapine
Mirtazapine is a prescription drug that is perfect for a cat with kidney disease that needs to gain wait. It works as an appetite simulate, so it is perfect if your cat refuses to eat. You can buy Mirtazapine here.
You can also buy appetite stimulants here on Amazon.
If you suspect that your cat is near the end of their life, you should check out my article on when to euthanize a cat with kidney disease.
Cat with kidney disease not eating
It is common for cats with kidney disease to stop eating and lose their appetite. It is very important that you help them overcome this, as not eating will certainly result in their death.
Below are the best ways to increase your cat’s appetite and gain weight when they have kidney disease:
Modify food:
Sometimes, it is not a necessity to switch the type of food you are feeding your cat. Instead, you should try changing the condition in which you feed the food. For example, you should try adding artificial flavoring to the food. You can also try changing the texture of the food or heating it up before you serve it to them. Some cat’s also prefer their food to be cold.
Cat appetite enhancer
There are also some medications on the market that are clinically proven to increase the appetite of cats with kidney disease. You can check them out here.
While kidney disease in cats can be a lot of work, it is definitely manageable.
Conclusion
It is essential for a cat with kidney disease to maintain a healthy weight to survive. A cat with kidney disease that experiences rapid weight loss will likely die very soon. We hope today’s article helped explain the best ways to help a cat with kidney disease gain weight so that they can live a long, healthy life.
In the past, cats with chronic kidney diseases were usually as good as dead, and they were only given medication to help prolong life for the short term. However, new research and technology has proven that a proper diet can help a cat with kidney diseases live a healthy life years after their diagnosis.