Chronic kidney disease is the leading cause of death in older cats. Early detection and careful management can substantially extend comfortable life but requires sustained veterinary engagement.
Chronic kidney disease in cats causes a gradual decline in quality of life through nausea, lethargy, poor appetite, and eventually uraemic poisoning. Many cats suffer for extended periods because early disease is clinically silent and owners do not recognise subtle signs of deterioration. Proactive management, beginning with early diagnosis through routine screening, allows interventions that slow progression and maintain wellbeing for significantly longer. The quality-of-life focus of CKD management should centre on the cat's experience rather than laboratory values alone.