Kidney health and dry food?

Is it true that wet food is much better on the digestive system? I just recently read this but took it with a grain of salt because it was on a site that sells (wet) cat foods. I've always heard that dry is ideal because it helps keep teeth strong. I've been concerned because my cat has been vomiting more frequently. It's always been a monthly thing and I thought it was hairballs. It started up averaging every couple of days in the winter, and it turned out she had a food allergy (she'd lost some fur where she'd been biting). She was on Prednisone for 2 weeks, got a new food, Natural Balance, but is still barfing 1x a week (She's been off the Pred for about a month now). I don't want to worry myself, but do you think kidney issues are a likely cause? Maise has been on dry food for most of her life.

The vet said low-grade kidney failure is a possible cause of occasional vomiting, though she said the fact that Maise is very healthy and active otherwise is a good sign. I just haven't worried because of her overall good health and the fact that she's vomited monthly and had issues with furballs for her whole life. My only concern is that she's doing it more often. The last food she had was not good and it could be that she's just getting re-adjusted still.

What tests would you recommend (the vet said to take her back for bloodwork if she keeps up the vomiting), and does it sound like a kidney issue?

I say get bloodwork now... Yes IMHO and the studies conducted in the say 15 yrs back up that wet food is better for digestion of protein and fats plus it aid is filtering via the extra moisture

It's possible it is a kidney problem, I would definitely get her to the vet for bloodwork to rule out any underlying causes.

As for dry food vs. wet food. Cats swallow something like 70% of their food whole (they don't chew it), so dry food being good for teeth is a myth. I have 3 toothless cats who eat dry food no problem. Wet food is often recommended for kidney health.

Do you guys think if it is low-grade kidney failure (which is what I would guess it is if she has a kidney problem), that changing the food over at this point would help, or would it be too late? I really want to do what is best, but I was happy to finally find a food that she likes that she does reasonably well on. Wet food, even the high quality food, seemed to increase her likelihood to throw up. Are the Natural Balance wet foods good?

Yes changing the foods will help... It kept my stage 2 when diagnoised girl going for 4 plus yrs after diagnoisis on just diet and some herbs and supplements ... the vet who diagnosised her gave her 12 to 18 months with fancy rx food and meds..

NB wet is good but which ones are you feeding? IMHO simplier is better

Please don't delay on the blood work. If there is a kidney problem the sooner it is caught the better. And yes, even a couple of days can make a difference.

Did I misunderstand something?I find it odd that the vet would name kidney failure as a possibility, and not recommend immediate blood work?

I'd go ahead and get a urinalysis done too.

How old is Maise? Has she been given fluids?

I agree with the others that canned food is better, and it is a myth that dry food is better for their teeth. Be sure to do any food changes very gradually, but it would be good to get her on some canned food, at least.

Originally Posted by maiseycat

Do you guys think if it is low-grade kidney failure (which is what I would guess it is if she has a kidney problem), that changing the food over at this point would help, or would it be too late? I really want to do what is best, but I was happy to finally find a food that she likes that she does reasonably well on. Wet food, even the high quality food, seemed to increase her likelihood to throw up. Are the Natural Balance wet foods good?

Click to expand...

Feed smaller servings more frequently. Were you free feeding dry? Canned food can't be free fed of course, but putting down a whole three ounce can of food at a time is too much.

Instead feed 1/4 can (3 oz cans I mean), and then a few minutes later, give another quarter can. An hour later, repeat with the other half. Same at night.

Another benefit to this method is you can add a tablespoon of water (or more if she'll tolerate it) to each serving, getting even more fluid into her.

It does take work and commitment and adjustment, but well worth it, CRF kitties can live many good years with the right home care.

The vet mentioned it as a possibility but made it sound pretty remote because of Maisey's history and current condition. I know the increased vomiting at that time was a direct result of a food allergy, so we didn't have any reason to believe it would resume after being treated. Since it is, though not at the same frequency, I want her to be tested.

She is eight years old. She only eats small portions at a time and seems to do well that way. I don't understand what giving fluids means (?). She doesn't have any health conditions that I know of.

Subcutaneous (SubQ) Fluids can be given to a cat under the skin, to treat dehydration, from too much vomiting, kidney disease or other illness.

Many of us have given subq to our beloved kitties at home, some times for years. I'm glad your vet feels it's a remote possibility but 8 years old is the perfect time to get a senior profile done anyway.

Be sure they do thyroid testing, too.

A urinalysis can tell much about her health too, plus, as with the blood work, gives you a baseline for what is normal for her as she ages.

fluids is either a bag or a shot of saline water

Oh and Sharky, she eats the Chicken & Peas one. I thought about trying the canned version, but if it has mashed peas in it, I know she probably won't go for it. It was a challenge to get her to eat the dry because of the scent of canned peas. I had to mix in some Blue Buffalo to help with that odor. She's doing well on it - no signs of allergic reactions like with past foods, but the vomiting goes on 1x a week (usually on a Friday for some reason?) which leads me to believe it may have nothing to do with food or digestion of fur (she gets daily grooming, too).

I'm sorry I spelled Maisey's name wrong in my first post. I was going by your spelling, as it is spelled "Maise" in your first post, which I now realize must have been a typo.

I have a Mazy too, just spelled different.

Originally Posted by sharky

fluids is either a bag or a shot of saline water

Click to expand...

Or Lactated Ringers.

Originally Posted by otto

I'm sorry I spelled Maisey's name wrong in my first post. I was going by your spelling, as it is spelled "Maise" in your first post, which I now realize must have been a typo.

I have a Mazy too, just spelled different.

Click to expand...

I call her "Maise" - just a shortening of Maisey. No, she's never been on fluids, past or present.

Nobody can diagnose what is wrong with your cat. Bloodwork and a urinalysis done by your vet is the only way to know if your cat is in early renal failure. If there is a kidney problem, the sooner the better. One day can make a lot of difference in a cat with renal failure. Keep us posted. I hope your cats vomiting issues are coming from some other problem and not kidney failure.

If Maise is in early stage renal failure, often the only way to confirm it is via blood work. If you are proactive, and treat the disease aggressively, it is possible to add many years of quality life. My Cleo was diagnosed with CRF when my vet did her pre-op bloodwork for her spay surgery (at six months old.) I immediately immersed myself in the internet, and buying subscriptions to research papers, talking to my vet. Dr. Sue is a wonderful, caring and knowledgeable woman, who over the years, has become my personal friend. I take all of my internet information to her, and she helps me design a program for Cleo that rivals many of the big University Veterinary Programs.

Cleo gets SubQ lactated ringers, 3x a week, Calcitriol every other day, b complex vitamins every day, and pediatric iron drops every other day. She also eats Royal Canin Low Protein canned food (Pate') , Hills k/d minced chicken canned food (also pate' style) They will occasionally eat the Iams/Eukanuba Multi Stage Renal (pate' style), and by accident I picked up the Royal Canin Pouches wet food (chunks in gravy) that they seem to like also.

Maggie was diagnosed at age 4 or 5 with her creatinine at the high end of normal, so she eats the renal diets. She's too timid, and easily frightened to do fluids on, or give pills to, so the diet change has been her only treatment. Her renal numbers have been very stable for the last 4 years.

I don't have any medical proof that a low protein diet will control the disease, but from all of the info I've read, it appears that keeping the serum phosphorus at a level of 6 or lower definitely will slow the progression of the disease.


Good luck to you and Maisey.....renal kitties hold a very special place in my heart, and I will be praying for you.

Originally Posted by maiseycat

I call her "Maise" - just a shortening of Maisey. No, she's never been on fluids, past or present.

Click to expand...

I just noticed your user name "Maiseycat".

I call MY Mazy, Mazy cat. In fact that's her full first name, Mazy cat.

Pookie Poo....you don't need to provide medical proof about the benefits of a diet lower in protein for cats with kidney failure, it's been a common treatment for CRF cats for years.

There are some new studies going around now that the lowered protein may not be as beneficial as originally thought, (not that it's bad, just that it may not be as crucial) but each cat is different and I'm glad it's working for your Maggie and Cleo.

Originally Posted by otto

Pookie Poo....you don't need to provide medical proof about the benefits of a diet lower in protein for cats with kidney failure, it's been a common treatment for CRF cats for years.

There are some new studies going around now that the lowered protein may not be as beneficial as originally thought, (not that it's bad, just that it may not be as crucial) but each cat is different and I'm glad it's working for your Maggie and Cleo.

Click to expand...

Well put... What I found was Quality over Quantity of protein