Cat Polycystic Kidney Disease: Welfare Across a Cat's Life

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a common hereditary condition in Persian cats causing progressive kidney failure and significant welfare impacts across the lifespan.

Key Facts

PKD affects approximately 38% of Persian cats in some populations, making it one of the most prevalent hereditary diseases in any cat breed
The condition is caused by an autosomal dominant mutation and can be eliminated from breeding populations through DNA testing
Cysts grow progressively and cause kidney failure typically in middle age, between 3-10 years old
Early stages are often clinically silent, meaning cats suffer progressive organ damage without outward signs
Supportive management of chronic kidney disease secondary to PKD follows the same protocols as idiopathic CKD

Welfare Considerations

PKD represents a preventable welfare burden that persists in the Persian and related breed populations due to historical failure to implement genetic testing programs. Affected cats experience progressive silent organ damage followed by symptomatic kidney failure causing nausea, reduced appetite, weight loss, and lethargy. The disease is entirely preventable through breeding only PKD-negative cats identified by DNA testing. Responsible breeders who test and exclude affected breeding animals have dramatically reduced prevalence in some populations.

What You Can Do

Request PKD DNA test results from breeders of Persian, British Shorthair, and related breeds before purchasing kittens
Support breed clubs that mandate PKD testing before registering breeding animals
Advocate for mandatory hereditary disease screening in pedigree cat breeding registration
Monitor Persian cats for early signs of kidney disease from middle age onwards