Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects approximately 35% of cats over 15 years old and requires careful long-term management to maintain quality of life through dietary, fluid, and medical interventions.
Chronic kidney disease causes progressive accumulation of uraemic toxins that cause nausea, lethargy, and malaise — welfare impacts that are often underestimated because cats hide illness so effectively. Blood pressure management is critical; hypertension secondary to CKD causes retinal detachment and blindness if untreated. Uraemic cats often refuse food and lose weight rapidly, creating a cycle of malnutrition and accelerated decline. Home subcutaneous fluid therapy, while initially daunting for owners, consistently improves patient demeanour and appetite — many owners describe their cats as "transformed" by regular fluids. The decision about when continued treatment causes more suffering than benefit is a central welfare consideration, requiring honest veterinary guidance and quality-of-life assessment.