Chronic kidney disease is the leading cause of death in older cats, and dietary management is central to welfare, requiring careful balance between appetite, palatability, and therapeutic nutritional goals.
The welfare challenge of feline CKD dietary management centers on a fundamental tension: therapeutic diets restrict nutrients that can slow disease progression, but if cats reject them, the resulting anorexia accelerates decline faster than the disease itself would. Many cats transition poorly to prescription renal diets, and forcing dietary compliance in a cat that refuses to eat creates suffering without benefit. Quality of life assessment must weigh appetite, nausea control, and enjoyment of food alongside disease stage markers. Flexible, individualized approaches that prioritize eating over strict adherence often produce better welfare outcomes.