The answer is Yes. What could be wrong with offering your cat a saucer of milk or a piece of cheese? When your senior cat was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), you may have felt worried, confused, and overwhelmed.. Getting a diagnosis of CKD is never easy. Therefore, tuna should not be fed as your cat's primary source of nutrition. However, large and long-living fish, such as albacore or bluefin tuna, contain higher levels of mercury than smaller fish. The sodium in brine can cause dehydration, and excessive sunflower or olive oil consumption can cause diarrhea. Throughout your cats life, any disease process or illness that could affect hydration should be treated promptly with IV fluids. Do not give your cat canned tuna more than once a week, and keep portion sizes small. Phosphorus: 0.3 to 0.6 percent. Cats love seafood, and most cats are especially fond of canned tuna and tuna juice. Beer, liquor, wine, foods containing alcohol -- none of it is good for your cat. Do Cats Understand Human Smiles And Facial Expressions? For more informational content and helpful videos, be sure to check out our YouTube Channel, Copyright 2022. The toxic agent in chocolate is theobromine. We are all guilty of overfeeding our cats or giving them too many treats. Its OK to treat your cat with tasty foods, like tuna. Ingesting a drug prescribed for humans is one of the most common causes of poisoning in cats. Ryan Llera, BSc, DVM; Robin Downing, DVM, CVPP, CCRP, DAAPM, Contributors: Ryan Llera, BSc, DVM; Robin Downing, DVM, CVPP, CCRP, DAAPM. This is made from smaller tuna fish, such as Skipjack and Tongol. Nonetheless, one main issue in tuna is mercury toxicity. So now theyre sick and not eating well, and made to eat a diet that you dont particularly like. Nonetheless, one main issue in tuna is mercury toxicity. I'm experienced in all cat health-related matters, behavioral issues, grooming techniques, and general pet care. 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. Rabbit is fairly strong-tasting and low in phosphorous, so its a healthy alternative to tuna fish for cats. You've probably seen or heard countless stories of cats loving fish, but as far as cats eating tuna goes, is it really a good idea? However it is important to make sure you are only giving them canned tuna that's been in water. Many other items commonly found on kitchen shelves can harm your cat. CURRENT OPTIONS FOR KIDNEY DISEASE DIETS FOR CATS, NF Kidney Function Early Care 3.15 lb, 8 lb, NF Kidney Function Advanced Care 3.15 lb, 8 lb, **BOARDING PICK-UP AT 4PM SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship: The VCPR, Inspired by the VIN community, part of the VIN family. Start by selecting food that will help your cats kidneys improve and adjusting your cats diet. In turn, eating too much tuna can cause your cat to gain significant weight, especially when fed in addition to their normal cat food. A cat has two kidneys, one on each side of the abdomen, and they play a vital role in filtering waste from the body. Usually, the higher the number, the more concentrated the urine and the greater the ability of the kidneys to conserve water. References All rights reserved. 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. Some commercial cat foodtends to be high in phosphorus, which is not a good food to feed cats with kidney disease. Some cats that experience acute kidney insults can recover, although there may be long-term effects that can lead to chronic kidney failure. Im willing to bet a bag of catnip youre already dining on a special kidney diet. Fluids given either intravenously or underneath the skin can help with dehydration, and your veterinarian can show you how to administer these fluids at home. Tuna is a decent food option for cats with kidney disease if served in moderation. 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. Cats instinctively prefer food thats the body temperature of a mouse. 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. As more manufacturers include calorie content information on pet food labels, explains the Association of American Feed Control Officials, an organization that uses science-based evidence to develop pet food standards, "It is easier to determine how many calories are being fed to an animal per day." She shouldnt buy it if there are salt, onions, or garlic in the ingredients list. Talking with your vet about the cat food you provide and following the directions on the label will help ensure your cat's diet is balanced and your cat stays healthy. If your cats lab tests come back indicating early kidney disease, it is likely that your veterinarian will recommend a diet change. 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. Although Im long-of-fang, I can still jump up on the furniture and climb my cat tree. Delectable chunks with tender chicken smothered in a rich gravy. Dietary sodium levels are mildly restricted to reduce the workload on the kidneys. Tuna is not nutritionally balanced and should not be fed as a large part of your cat's meal plan. If protein intake is too low however, CKD will start to break down muscle mass. Thiaminase. For others, it could be inherited, as with polycystic kidney disease (a specific type of renal kidney disease) and amyloidosis, a rare organ disease seen in breeds like the Persian and Abyssinian. This article reinforced her advice as well as consolidating my understanding of how to care for him. Is Tuna OK for cats with kidney disease? Specific management is geared toward the underlying cause (if known) as well as the stage of the disease. The problem is that tuna is naturally very high in mercury. Tuna has many other health benefits, should it be part of a balanced diet and given . Studies show that cats with kidney disease who start receiving therapy early tend to do better, have a better quality of life and live longer. About our Ads. Calcium: elevated levels, though not as common, are often seen with kidney damage. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Kidney disease is one of the most common diseases seen in older domestic cats. It has a unique flavor that is different from white-fleshed fish. Bones can also splinter and cause an obstruction or cut the insideof your cat's digestive system. Water. Clinical signs are often related to the severity of the kidney disease and underlying cause. A steady diet of hard, low-quality, processed cat food can also cause kidney and urinary problems. ~ 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. Doing this can make your cat not want to eat at all, which is very bad for its health. Cats love seafood, and most cats are especially fond of canned tuna and tuna juice. Decreased dietary protein may slow the progression of CKD by decreasing the workload on the kidneys to excrete protein waste products. If you open a can of tuna, it wont be long before your cat is drawn to the enticing aroma. Dietary supplements may be prescribed to help with low potassium. You may find that some cats are disinterested in tuna, but they will usually be the exception to the rule. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. When I was a youngster of 20, my equally elderly owner went into a nursing home and I found myself on death row. Its Ok To Give Cats Tuna As A Treat. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. If you feel well enough to groom, youll ingest a little nutrition. Due to water pollution, all fish and shellfish contain some mercury. Try feeding your cat specially-formulated cat treats or treating it in other ways. 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. Grapes or raisins, since they can cause kidney damage even in healthy cats. The first is the possibility of food poisoning from bacteria like salmonella or E. coli. It can lead to obesity and even diabetes. Many cats do not like canned food and will eat better when fed some dry food or exclusively dry food. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Fortunately, quite a number of cats like cantaloupe, of all things, and thats a great treat for cats with kidney disease.". But a steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to malnutrition because it won't have all the nutrients a cat needs. Set up your myVCA account today. Here are the reasons why tuna is unhealthy for cats: Some forms of tuna are safer for cats to eat than others. Although some cats show no ill effects, it's best not to give your cat any grapes and to keep grapes and raisins off countertops and other places accessible to your cat. 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. 3. Heres how to get your cat to drink more water. I always urge pet parents to ask their veterinarian for nutritional information for their pet. Today were discussing if tuna fish is safe for cats with kidney disease. Giving your cat wet food will ensure it gets enough water when it eats. Remember the saying, "Honest as a cat when the meat's out of reach." Garlic and onions they cause Heinz hemolytic anemia. If you feed your cat canned tuna, make sure its in spring water rather than brine (saltwater) or sunflower oil. Cats with food allergies may also vomit and experience diarrhea, gas and a loss of appetite if they encounter an ingredient they're sensitive to. Remember, any change in your cats behavior or activities could be a symptom of disease and should be investigated by your vet, even if it unfortunately involves glass tubes and cat posteriors. The recommended phosphorus range on a dry matter basis for cats with CKD is 0.3-0.6%. Research source VCA Hospitals gives an appropriate ratio of protein to phosphorous in a homemade kidney care cat food: Protein: 28 to 35 percent. Cats diagnosed with kidney disease are often prescribed a kidney-friendly diet which may include feeding your cat canned, wet foods that contain additional water. 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. Go for canned wet food that is high quality and all natural. If youre concerned about the health risks of canned tuna, its recommended that you get some tuna-flavored cat food. That the advice was understandable and can be easily applied. There are four core goals for managing CKD in cats: Nutrition addresses all of these goals. ", Today. That's because alcohol has the same effect on a cat's liver and brain that it has on humans. 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