Description
Dietary interventions play a crucial role in managing chronic kidney disease in cats. Feeding a renal protective food to cats with IRIS-Stage 2 CKD or higher is considered the standard of care. However, evidence shows that dietary strategies can also benefit cats with IRIS Stage 1 CKD. Dietary interventions can enhance food and essential amino acid intake and support muscle mass in cats with IRIS-Stage 1 CKD. Food ingredients can be modified to favor saccharolysis over proteolysis, resulting in higher concentrations of
metabolites and microbiota associated with a healthier state. These changes may offset the sarcopenia and chronic inflammation associated with aging in cats. Additionally, some renal foods have been implicated in the development of hypercalcemia in cats with early stage CKD. Hypercalcemia is a risk factor for calcium oxalate urolith formation because of increased calcium fractional excretion and hypercalciuria. Dietary considerations to lower the risk of calcium oxalate stone formation in cats include feeding long-chain PUFA, avoiding severely restricted phosphate diets, and consuming a betaine and fermentable fiber supplement.
This webinar (Series) is produced by The Webinar Vet, sponsored by Hill's Pet Nutrition. Hill's are proud supporters of International Cat Care and share their commitment to improving the lives of cats worldwide.
Learning Objectives
- Nutritional interventions are important for cats with early stage CKD.
- Aging in cats is associated with loss of lean body mass; therefore, feeding a food with increased caloric density and essential amino acid concentrations is important.
- For cats with CKD, consuming foods with supplemental betaine and fermentable fiber can improve body composition and lead to changes in the plasma metabolome that correspond to better kidney health.
- Some renal foods have been implicated in the development of hypercalcemia in cats with CKD. Maintaining calcium homeostasis is important and further research is needed to determine if the Ca:P ratio, absolute P or Ca content, or phosphorus source is the bigger driver of hypercalcemia.
