Signs to look for
- drinking more than usual
- urinating more
- losing weight
- appetite has dropped
Why it happens
The kidneys filter 53 litres a day down to 0.2 litres — a 260-fold concentration.
Increased thirst and urination can signal that the kidneys are losing that concentrating ability. Drinking well is often misread as a sign of health.
Protein is not restricted across the board but adjusted to the stage of disease (the IRIS staging). Salt gets the same treatment — reduce it, but not too far — because it is a balancing act between dehydration and hypertension.
When an animal will not eat, warming the food to lift its aroma, or using a small amount of chicken broth, are the usual approaches.
Signs that mean go to the vet
If you see increased thirst and urination, do not restrict water — get a veterinary examination first
Related ingredients
Related behaviour
General nutrition information. It does not replace a diagnosis or a prescription. If your animal has a medical condition or is on medication, talk to your veterinarian first.