What is kidney disease?

What do the kidneys do?

The kidneys cleanse the blood by filtering out waste products. When a cat's kidneys are not functioning properly, these waste products can build up and make your cat feel very poorly.

What causes Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?

The causes of kidney disease are numerous and, in many cases unknown. However, underlying issues are sometimes identified:

• Infections
• Genetic disease
• Metabolic and immune disorders
• Cancer

CKD occurs gradually over a number of years. The decrease in kidney function leads to the loss of water and other important substances that the body needs. At the same time, toxins and excess minerals such as Phosphorus, that the body would normally get rid of are built up.

Will I know if my cat has Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?

Unfortunately, cats are experts at hiding symptoms and often will not show any outward signs until almost 75% of the cat's kidney function has been lost. However, new advances in veterinary medicine mean that the life expectancy of your cat and its quality of life can be significantly improved.