Chronic kidney disease is the leading cause of death in older cats. Modern management approaches significantly extend quality life and reduce suffering when started early.
Feline CKD welfare management requires a long-term, quality-of-life-centered approach that addresses the cluster of symptoms causing suffering: nausea and reduced appetite from uremia, dehydration from increased fluid losses, hypertension causing secondary damage, anemia causing fatigue, and phosphate accumulation accelerating kidney damage. The good news is that modern CKD management with early detection and multi-modal treatment can maintain excellent quality of life for 2-5+ years after diagnosis. The welfare goal is not merely extending life but ensuring that extended life is comfortable, engaged, and positive. Regular reassessment using quality of life scoring helps owners and vets identify when management is no longer achieving this goal. Home fluid administration — subcutaneous fluids given by trained owners — is one of the most impactful welfare interventions available, dramatically reducing uraemic symptoms in intermediate and late-stage disease.