Three Signs Of Kidney Disease In Cats You Should Never Ignore
Posted on: 2 September 2019
Kidney disease is an incurable condition, but it's one that can be controlled well if it's caught early on. That's why it's so important that pet parents recognize and not ignore the early warning signs of kidney disease in cats. Here are three of them that you should keep your eyes open for with your own cat.
Excessive Drinking
Cats should drink regularly, but there's a difference between drinking normally and excessively. If you've noticed that your cat is draining its water bowl faster than usual, that's one potential sign of this problem. Your cat may also demand water from new sources, like the faucet, or try to get extra water from abnormal sources that it comes across, like your own water glass. This is simply because your cat is abnormally thirsty because the kidneys require extra water to do their job when they're not functioning properly.
Frequent Urination
Another common problem that pet parents don't notice is their cats peeing excessively.
You may notice this problem directly, by seeing your cat entering the litter box repeatedly over the course of a day. You may also experience your cat peeing inappropriately outside the box, even if they've never done that before. This is because your cat's bladder is strained by the excessive amount of fluid being processed by the kidneys. Your cat needs to 'go,' and they'll go anywhere if they're desperate enough.
Alternatively, you might notice that there's more to scoop from the litter box on a daily basis. If you're finding more clumped urine patties in the box than usual, it's a sign of this disorder.
Nausea
Finally, cats with kidney disease often experience nausea. This is because as the kidneys become less effective at their job, the cat's blood toxicity level gradually rises. This can make a cat feel nauseated and it can also cause gagging and vomiting.
Your cat may show signs of nausea outside of gagging or vomiting. If they've lost interest in food or are thinner than usual, that may be a sign of nausea. In any case, a cat needs to eat in order to be healthy, so you should seek help from a vet right away if your cat won't eat.
Cats can be treated for kidney disease, and that treatment can help them to live longer and healthier lives. However, the sooner they get treated, the better. Never ignore these signs, and contact your vet right away if your cat is going through them right now. For more information, reach out to companies like Ark Veterinary Hospital.
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