Cat Feline Idiopathic Hypercalcaemia: Welfare and Management

Idiopathic hypercalcaemia in cats is an increasingly recognised condition causing chronic discomfort and serious health complications.

Key Facts

Hypercalcaemia (elevated blood calcium) affects a growing number of cats, particularly those fed primarily dry food
Idiopathic hypercalcaemia has no clearly identified cause in many affected cats
It leads to calcium deposits in kidneys and other tissues, causing progressive organ damage
Clinical signs include vomiting, weight loss, lethargy, increased urination, and reduced appetite
Dietary change to high-moisture, low-calcium food resolves hypercalcaemia in many cases
Prednisolone treatment reduces calcium levels in cats not responding to diet alone

Welfare Considerations

Feline idiopathic hypercalcaemia causes chronic discomfort through nausea, lethargy, and the progressive kidney damage from calcium deposits. The welfare significance has increased as recognition of the condition has improved and its association with dry food diets has been established. Welfare-centred management starts with dietary transition — moving affected cats to high-moisture, lower-calcium diets often resolves elevated calcium levels without further intervention. For cats requiring additional treatment, prednisolone is effective and well-tolerated. Regular monitoring of calcium and kidney function tracks disease progression and treatment response.

What You Can Do

Ask your vet to check blood calcium levels in cats with unexplained weight loss or vomiting
Discuss dietary transition to high-moisture, lower-calcium food with your vet for affected cats
Monitor kidney function alongside calcium levels — the two conditions are linked
Consider wet food as the primary diet for senior cats to reduce hypercalcaemia risk
Follow up as recommended — calcium levels require monitoring after dietary change