As dedicated pawrents, it’s our responsibility to keep a constant eye on our beloved furbabies’ physical and emotional health status. It’s always good to keep some pointers off the top of your head so that you can react immediately to any sign of medical concern, and one devastating disease common amongst older domestic cats is none other than kidney failure. 

Kidney problems in cats

Kidney disease causes cats’ kidneys to function at only 15%, leading to excess toxins in the body, which then causes internal infections and eventually results in complete kidney failure. There are two types of kidney diseases: acute and chronic. 

Acute renal failure happens when there is sudden kidney damage due to infections, poisons or human medication, and is usually still treatable. On the other hand, chronic kidney failure happens because of acute kidney infections and blockages, advanced dental disease, high blood pressure, or genetics – making it harder to cure and it takes a huge toll on your pet in the long run.

Signs of kidney diseases in cats

If you’re unsure if your kitty is suffering from kidney disease, here are some symptoms to look out for. Do note that the list below is not exhaustive:

• Body weakness and fatigue – your feline buddy is not being as playful as they normally are and sleeping more than usual
• Vomiting
• Abnormal urinating patterns such as excessive urination
• Increased drinking of water
• Bad breath
• Weight loss

Do consult a vet if your cat is showing any alarming abnormalities in their behaviour and physical condition!

Ways to prevent kidney disease

To prevent your cat from developing kidney disease or to slow down its progression, there are numerous things that you can do as a pet owner: 

1. Monitor your cat’s behaviour

Observing your cat’s behaviour throughout their life is paramount so that you notice straight away whenever they do something out of the ordinary. By being attentive to the changes in your cat’s behaviour and making mental notes of it, you’ll be able to better gauge when a trip to the vet is needed, plus inform your vet to help them come to an accurate diagnosis.

2. Give them plenty of water

Hydration is always key to a happy and healthy kitty. If they’re not in the mood to drink water, give them wet food such as canned tuna instead so that they get some fluids in their system. You can also try homemade recipes for your pet for a change – just get them directly from a specialist in animal nutrition.

3. Visit the vet regularly

Typically, cats should pay a visit to their local vet in Singapore before they turn one year old. This is to get all their necessary vaccinations done, and thereafter, regular health check-ups with an overall physical examination that tests blood and urine help to detect any worrying signs early.

It’s vital to do regular blood tests because in some cases, the kidney disease is genetic. The sooner it’s picked up by your vet, the sooner you will be able to adjust your cat’s lifestyle accordingly.

4. Maintain a healthy diet

Always remember that prevention is better than cure, and the trick to fighting off any disease, for both pets and owners, is to have the right diet. Make sure that your cat gets all-natural food packed with tons of vitamins. You can always check the labels when shopping at pet retail shops or ask your vet for a recommended brand!

Keep kidney problems at bay with AIXIA

Source: AIXIA 

Kidney disease is one of the leading killers of cats, especially for those after age 7. In order to protect your cat’s kidney health and ensure that he or she lives to a ripe old age, AIXIA, a Japanese cat food brand established since 1990, formulated a mousse and paste series targeted specifically to supplement and relieve kidney functions. 

By making their formula high in water content and low in phosphorus and sodium, it eases the burden on their kidneys – phosphorus is hard to excrete and can damage kidneys, while sodium can increase blood pressure if not regulated properly.

These individual Kenko-Can Pouches make feeding your kitty convenient any time, anywhere! 

Source: AIXIA

This special formula is used in their Kenko-Can (Healthy Can) Pouches for Senior Cats series, which only contains a phosphorus content of 0.08% and a sodium content of 0.10%! Other ingredients include coconut oil, which includes fatty acids that can be easily converted into energy, and its paste form makes it easy for elderly cats with chewing difficulties to consume. 

On top of supporting kidney functions, the product lineup also supports 8 other health functions: 

• Aging Care – Contains taurine and selenium to boost immunity and anti-oxidative activity
• Brain Support – Adjusted DHA and EPA levels to support brain health
• Eye Care Support – Includes taurine for healthy eyes
• Feline Lower Urinary Tract Care – Reduces the development of urinary stones with magnesium, calcium, and added citric acid and potassium 
• Hairball Care – Includes dietary fibre to assist with easy discharge of hairballs
• Intestinal Care – Protect your cat’s stomach with dietary fibre and two types of oligosaccharide
• Joint Care – Supports joint health maintenance with glucosamine chondroitin
• Skin / Fur Care – Promotes radiant skin and fur with collagen peptide and piochin. 

These Kenko-Can Pouches for Senior Cats were developed according to the requests of senior cat owners in Japan – according to a survey done by them a few years ago – so cat owners can rest assured that the folks at AIXIA really have you and your cat’s well-being and concerns at heart. 

To get your hands on the full range of AXIA’s Kenko-Can Pouches for Senior Cats, @reinbiotech supplies them to a variety of retail stores all around Singapore. Simply contact them here to find out which store’s nearest to you and start protecting your kitty’s kidneys!

This article was written for Rein Biotech Services Pte Ltd.