Cats
Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats: Catching It Early Changes Everything
Why it's so common
Kidney function fades in many cats with age — CKD is among the most frequent diagnoses in cats over ten. Kidneys are quiet organs: by the time obvious illness shows, much function is already lost. That's why early detection matters.
The early whispers
Drinking more, peeing larger clumps in the litter box, gradual weight loss, duller coat, occasional vomiting. Annual senior bloodwork (including newer early markers like SDMA) and a urine test can catch CKD long before your cat seems sick.
Living well with CKD
Managed cats often enjoy years of good life: prescription kidney diets, encouraging water (fountains, wet food, broth), phosphorus binders when needed, blood-pressure and anti-nausea meds, and subcutaneous fluids at home in later stages — easier to learn than it sounds.
Watch trends, not days
CKD is a marathon of small adjustments. Track weight monthly, appetite and thirst weekly, and keep regular rechecks. When good days start losing to bad ones, a quality-of-life conversation with your vet is an act of love, not defeat.
If the day is coming
Ease The Paw coordinates in-home pet euthanasia across South Africa — we find and book the vet, arrange the cremation and handle the keepsakes, so you can simply be present. A flat R950 covers the coordination and your keepsake memorial; the vet and cremation are billed separately at their own rates.
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