Kidney Disease in Cats: Diagnosis and Treatment Costs

Have you taken your cat in for a check up lately? While your cat may appear happy and healthy on the outside, that may not be the case internally. 

Checking for signs of kidney disease in cats is one of the most important reasons that pet parents should take their felines in for routine veterinary exams and lab testing. Kidney disease is very common in cats and is all too often diagnosed late in the course of disease, when the prognosis is worse. 

This article will explain what cat kidney disease is, how it is diagnosed and treated, estimated costs, and more. 

What Is Feline Kidney Disease? 

The kidneys are a pair of organs that serve very important roles in our cats’ bodies. The kidneys are involved in the following functions:

• Maintaining normal hydration
• Maintaining normal blood pressure
• Getting rid of toxins and waste products from the blood 
• Maintaining normal electrolyte balance
• Maintaining normal blood pH (proper balance of acids and bases) 
• Producing certain hormones 

When the kidneys lose their function, it can wreak havoc on your cat’s body and make them very sick. 

Kidney disease is much more common in older cats. Studies estimate that 1 to 3 percent of the overall cat population has kidney disease [1], while kidney disease was found to affect up to 40 percent of cats over 10 years of age and 80 percent of cats over 15 years of age [2]. 

Certain breeds of cats are more likely to suffer from chronic kidney disease than others. Those include Persian, Abyssinian, Siamese, Ragdoll, Burmese, Russian Blue, and Maine Coon breeds [3]. 

Types of Kidney Disease in Cats 

Kidney disease is divided into two main categories—acute and chronic. 

Acute kidney disease, also called acute kidney injury (AKI) or acute kidney failure, comes on very suddenly, will usually make a cat very ill, and requires hospitalization. Acute kidney disease is commonly caused by toxins, such as antifreeze, ibuprofen or lily ingestion, certain infections, and urinary blockages. If treated rapidly, AKI may be reversible, however, it will make a cat more prone to developing chronic kidney disease down the road. 

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)—also called chronic renal failure—is much more common than acute kidney disease and is diagnosed when kidney abnormalities (whether found on lab tests or imaging) are present for three months or longer. Chronic kidney disease is a progressive disease and is divided into four stages of increasing severity.

The remainder of this article will focus on chronic kidney disease. 

Diagnosing Feline Kidney Disease

Your veterinarian will diagnose chronic kidney disease primarily based on blood and urine testing. Consistently elevated blood creatinine and/or SDMA levels together with a low urine concentration support a chronic kidney disease diagnosis. SDMA stands for symmetric dimethylarginine, which is an amino acid that is produced when protein is broken down and excreted through the kidneys. 

The veterinarian will also use symptoms provided by the pet parent and exam findings to support the diagnosis. 

An abdominal ultrasound is also very helpful in diagnosing kidney disease in cats, as it provides a detailed image of the kidneys and helps to check for underlying conditions, such as kidney stones and polycystic kidney disease. 

Once chronic kidney disease is diagnosed, blood pressure and urine protein to creatinine ratio testing is important and will determine the need for certain medications. Cats with chronic kidney disease are also more prone to developing urinary tract infections (UTIs) so urine cultures may be indicated from time to time. 

Treating Kidney Disease in Cats

There is not a direct treatment for kidney disease in cats. Once a portion of the kidney’s function is lost it cannot be regained. However, appropriate management of the disease can stop or slow the progression of the disease. 

The mainstay of treatment for chronic kidney disease is to feed them a prescription renal (kidney) diet. Cats who eat prescription renal diets may live twice as long as those that do not [4]. These diets are low in phosphorus, moderately protein restricted, contain omega-3 fatty acids and other compounds that are beneficial to the kidneys.

General Cost to Treat Kidney Disease in Cats 

When chronic kidney disease is first suspected, you will need to bring your cat to your vet more frequently—usually monthly—to have them examined and complete lab testing. After the first few months, if the disease is stable, exams and lab work should be performed every 3 to 6 months. 

On average, the cost of treating feline kidney disease for the first year is $1,300.”

Source: Pets Best claims data from 2017 – 2021 for average 1st year condition costs. 

On average, the first-year cost to treat feline kidney disease is $1,300, according to Pets Best claims data.¹  If you have pet insurance, this condition might be covered under your policy, but you’ll still have to wait to receive reimbursement for eligible costs. That’s where a solution like the CareCredit health and pet care credit card can come in handy, because it allows you to pay over time with flexible financing options.* You can use your card for any type of care your cat needs, such as exams, diagnostics, medications, and prescription food, at any provider in the CareCredit network.

The cost to treat kidney disease in cats will vary depending on your location, but estimates for individual services are as follows: 

• Exam: $50-$100
• Blood and urine tests: $100-$400
• Abdominal ultrasound: $500-$800
• Medications (if necessary): $20-$60 per month
• Prescription food: $40-$80 per month

Switching to a Prescription Diet

Cats with chronic kidney disease should be transitioned to a prescription diet as soon as they are in stage II or higher. Switching to the diet early on, before the cat has lost their appetite, will result in better acceptance of the food. Transitioning the food very gradually over a few weeks to months is recommended, especially for picky eaters. 

If possible, a wet or canned diet is preferred over the dry version, as cats with chronic kidney disease are prone to dehydration. Pet parents should also ensure plenty of access to fresh water by placing multiple bowls throughout the house or using pet drinking fountains. 

Medications for Cat Kidney Disease

Depending on your cat’s lab test results or symptoms, they may need the following medications or supplements to help manage chronic kidney disease: 

• Blood pressure medication: amlodipine, telmisartan 
• ACE inhibitors: benazepril 
• Phosphate binder 
• Potassium supplement 
• Appetite stimulant: mirtazapine or Elura
• Anti-nausea medication: maropitant

Cats in stages III and IV may also benefit from receiving subcutaneous fluids—fluids administered under the skin—to treat dehydration. Pet parents can be taught to perform this at home to reduce costs and stress on the kitty. 

How to Prevent Kidney Disease in Cats 

Since the cause of kidney disease in most cats is still unknown, there aren’t many things that pet parents can do to prevent it. However, certain risk factors do exist. Periodontal disease is a known risk factor for chronic kidney disease in cats as well as humans. Daily home dental care and annual cat dental cleanings can prevent and minimize periodontal disease. 

Cats should be kept away from known toxins and drugs that are harmful to the kidneys. All kittens should be vaccinated against FeLV and vaccination should be continued for adults that spend unsupervised time outdoors. Some veterinarians recommend feeding cats all or mostly wet food to prevent kidney disease but research is still needed to see if this would truly help. 

Remember that early detection of chronic kidney disease is key to a good outcome. Taking your cat to the vet regularly is crucial. Cats over the age of 7 should ideally be examined every six months and receive blood and urine testing at least annually [5]. 

¹ Pets Best claims data from 2017 – 2021 for average 1st year condition costs. 

*Subject to credit approval. See carecredit.com for details.

**Internal estimates based on publicly available market sizing information, as of Feb 2023

This information is shared solely for your convenience. Neither Synchrony nor any of its affiliates, including CareCredit, make any representations or warranties regarding the products described, and no endorsement is implied. You are urged to consult with your individual veterinarian with respect to any professional advice presented.