Cat with kidney failure wont eat much

Question
My cat, Tom, is 14 years old and was diagnosed with kidney failure around three years ago. He has been doing okay though. He takes Azoydll twice a day, two capsules in the morning, and one at night. He is also on Hill's Prescription Diet k/d. Recently, I have noticed that he isn't eating a lot of his food. He is taking his pills and eating treats. He tries to eat our other cats' food, but will not eat his own. He doesn't seem to be losing weight, but I am really concerned. Should I be worried, or is this normal for a cat in his position?

Answer
Hi Brooke,

Unfortunately, appetite loss is a fact that we will have to face with our cats as they progress into later stages of CRF. However, I would encourage you to see about switching to another brand of kidney diet to see if he has simply gotten bored with the Hill's brand. Purina and Royal Canin also make versions of kidney food that are just as complete and healthy for a kidney patient, and he might be more inclined to eat one of these for a while.

However, if he's not interested in the kidney foods, the fact that he continues to eat something is more important than what he eats. If he refuses that kidney foods, you will have to allow him to eat the regular food your other cat eats. Canned food is highly preferred for his health. If at all possible, try to persuade him to eat this. The moisture content is very beneficial.

When a cat's appetite is tapering down, it does suggest that his kidney disease is progressing a lot. His phosphorus levels are probably elevated, and that usually makes them feel poorly. You should probably talk to the vet at this point about administering subcutaneous fluids at home. This can help flush some of the phosphorus and toxins out and also help rehydrate him, since dehydration is very common. He may also benefit from a stomach acid reducer, since kidney patients can suffer from stomach ulcers that can cause appetite loss.

Best of luck!
Jessica