Chronic kidney disease affects an estimated 30-40% of cats over 10 years and is a leading cause of feline mortality; early detection and management can extend good quality life significantly.
Chronic kidney disease is a prolonged condition that causes progressive loss of quality of life through nausea, loss of appetite, dehydration, and weakness. Because cats hide illness until late stages, many owners discover the diagnosis at an advanced point. Early detection through routine screening — available but not widely practised — allows intervention when quality of life can be substantially preserved for months or years. Phosphorus-restricted prescription diets, subcutaneous fluids, anti-nausea medication, and phosphate binders together form a management protocol that most owners can implement at home with veterinary guidance.