Reviewed by Dr Katie DavisonBVMS MRCVS - RCVS Recognised Advanced Veterinarian
Chronic kidney disease is one of the most common conditions we see in older cats. The kidneys lose function slowly over months or years, and because cats are so good at hiding illness, the early signs are easy to put down to 'just getting older'.
The encouraging part: caught early, kidney disease can be managed for years, and cats can stay comfortable and happy. Here's what to look for and how we help.
The early signs are subtle
The very first change is usually drinking and weeing more - the kidneys can no longer concentrate urine, so your cat flushes through more water. Watch for:
- Drinking more, or hanging around the water bowl or tap
- Bigger or more frequent clumps in the litter tray
- Gradual weight loss and a bonier feel over the spine
- A duller coat, pickier appetite, or occasional vomiting
- Less energy, and sleeping even more than usual
Why early detection changes the outcome
Kidney disease is staged from 1 (early) to 4 (advanced). Cats found in the early stages, and started on the right management, often live comfortably for several more years - whereas advanced disease is much harder to turn around.
That's why we recommend routine blood and urine screening for senior cats - a yearly check under about 8 years, and twice-yearly from 8 onwards. Modern kidney markers (including SDMA) can flag trouble earlier than the old tests, while there's the most to gain.
How it's managed
There's no cure, but there's a lot we can do. A therapeutic kidney diet - lower in phosphorus, with carefully balanced protein - is the single most proven step, alongside keeping your cat well hydrated. Depending on the stage, we may add medications for blood pressure, phosphate or appetite, and set a monitoring schedule to stay ahead of changes. Our nurse clinics make that ongoing monitoring easy and low-stress.
When to book a check
If your older cat is drinking noticeably more, losing weight, or just not themselves, don't wait - book a check on 07 870 2696. A simple blood and urine test tells us a lot, and the earlier we find kidney disease, the more we can do about it.