Chronic kidney disease is a leading cause of illness and death in senior cats. Proactive management significantly improves quality of life and extends comfortable lifespan.
Feline chronic kidney disease causes progressive deterioration that significantly affects quality of life through nausea, reduced appetite, weakness, and eventually uremic toxin accumulation causing confusion and severe illness. Early detection before clinical signs appear allows interventions that slow progression and extend comfortable lifespan. Dietary management, hydration support, blood pressure control, and phosphate binders address different aspects of the disease. Home fluid therapy is highly effective and can be learned by committed owners. Quality of life assessment using standardized tools helps owners and veterinarians make informed decisions about intervention intensity and timing of end-of-life decisions.