Weight loss in a cat with kidney disease despite eating

[Idontknowhatnametochoose]

My cat has kidney disease- only recently diagnosed. Just started on a renal diet. My concern is that she's progressively losing weight despite eating well. She has a ravenous appetite which I've read is often the case in the early stages (she's stage 2). No hyperthyroidism or any other major problems but she does have a uti and is on antibiotics. In two months her weight has gone from 3.9kg (already massively dropped over time from over 5kg) down to 3.45kg. If she continues at this rate she will be emaciated within a year!

Is this rate of weight loss common in kidney disease? Vet isn't too bothered about it and just said it's the kidney disease. From what I've read she might have up to 3 years or more left but I'm concerned the rate of weight loss means the disease is progressing rapidly despite her appetite. She's constipated but no vomiting or diarrhea.

Has anyone seen this sort of weight loss in a cat with ckd? Does it ever stabilise?

Sorry don't know. Our cat has hyperthyroidism and has lost a bit of weight due to that - but used to be quite chunky. It is a worry.

Hopefully someone will be a long with more helpful comments.

When was she last tested for hyperthyroidism?

Also, are you feeding enough food? Sounds basic but the formulation will be different so she may need a different amount to maintain weight compared to her old food.

Thyroid was tested along with kidneys and diabetes so less than a fortnight ago.

And yes, I feed her throughout the day as often as she asks for it as she does better on little and often. She also has food in timers at night. 100% has enough food.

That's good, at least those two possibilities are ruled out (unless you're super unlucky and her thyroid has actually kicked off). When's your next vet review? I would weigh her each week and look for the level of weightloss to at least taper off significantly and if not take her back again. X

Thanks for this. Vet is testing her urine again to see if there's still blood in it as she's on antibiotics for a supposed uti, and if there is she will have further tests. She definitely has kidney disease but there might be something else going on. The hunger might be linked to her kidneys as apparently some cats with ckd do get more hungry, but will see.

Is she on any medication for the CKD? I have a cat with stage 2 CKD and he is on Nelio 2.5 mg. He lost weight on renal diet food too, but that was because he refused to eat it, the stubborn bugger. So now he's on regular food with poched fish for his dinner. He was 4.1 at his lowest and is now 5.1.

I hope you get to a regime that works for your lovely cat, you're still in the finding out stage so keep plugging away at it. It took us 8 months before we found something that made a difference.

Lasagna says hi to your girl.

You have to bear in mind that CKD can progress at vastly different rates in cats. I've know cats live many years after diagnosis, but my beloved Boycat went from perfect health and weight to emaciated and PTS in 9 months whatever we tried.

Not as yet. Vet said not until stage 3? I might double check with him on that. My cat isn't on a fully renal diet tbh as I'm still weaning her on it, so she's eating her usual food too but still losing weight. She has lost a lot prior to diagnosis but due to her long hair it took me a while ro realise. Your cat is beautiful 😍

I'm so sorry to hear that. But yes, I did wonder about different rates of progression. A Google search suggests that cats live for years with ckd, which is obviously great, but can be misleading. I'm sorry you lost your Boycat so soon.

My cat was diagnosing stage 2 at Christmas time. It’s been hard work finding renal food she will eat but we are there now. She never has been a big eater and was on the petite side, but now is a skinny little thing. She is 2.6kg at her heaviest was about 4.2kg. She goes crazy for Kattovit treats and whatever we are eating but just tolerates her own.

I’m sorry to hear about your girl’s diagnosis.

Another thought: is she an outdoor cat? Sodding cat is not poorly but has shed weight recently due to the better weather and spending his days out doing cat parkour. Could your girl be more active if she’s feeling better on treatment and with the changed season? (ETA: We know it’s not sinister - Sodding cat always hits summer weight like this before bulking in the autumn for winter.)

There could be an element of that, although she isn't excessively more active than normal, plus the weight loss started at least months back, but I have noted that she's doing more recently so will be burning more energy.