Helping Your Cat Age Gracefully: Tips for Managing Kidney Disease

As a cat ages, it’s natural to wonder what you can do to make a real difference in their health and well-being. The good news is that there are many things you can do to help your senior cat live a longer, healthier life.

Managing Kidney Disease in Older Cats

One of the most common issues that arise as cats age is kidney disease. While it may seem daunting, there are steps you can take to slow the progression and support your cat’s kidney health. For example, adding antioxidants to their diet can help decrease kidney damage, while lowering the amount of phosphorus in their food can help prevent further harm to the kidneys.

The Power of Antioxidants and Lower Phosphorus

I’ve created my ULTIMATE Feline Health Formula, specifically designed to support older cats dealing with kidney disease. This supplement is packed with antioxidants to help protect the kidneys from further damage. Additionally, it contains no phosphorus—important because phosphorus can be damaging to the kidneys. The calcium in my formula helps bind phosphorus in the diet, reducing the amount that can negatively impact kidney function.

Take Action for Your Cat’s Health

If you’re looking for a way to improve your cat’s health as they age, my ULTIMATE Feline Health Formula may be the perfect solution. By providing antioxidants and reducing phosphorus intake, you’re taking proactive steps to support your cat’s kidney health and overall well-being.

It’s a simple and effective way to make a big difference in your cat’s quality of life as they age.

Click here to get your bottle of ULTIMATE Feline Health Formula and give your cat the support they deserve.

7 Tips to Help Your Senior Cat Thrive:
Caring for Your Senior Feline Companion

As a pet parent, taking care of your senior cat is one of the most rewarding experiences. As our feline friends age, their needs evolve, requiring extra attention and love to ensure they stay healthy, happy, and active for as long as possible. From nutrition to stress reduction, these simple yet powerful strategies can make all the difference. Ready to learn how to give your senior cat the golden years they deserve? Let’s dive in!

1. Upgrade Their Diet

The foundation of your cat’s health is their diet. Many cats are fed dry, carbohydrate-heavy kibble, which is low in moisture and protein. This type of food is linked to common health issues like diabetes, kidney disease, and urinary tract infections. Additionally, certain proteins, such as soy, are associated with hyperthyroid disease.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has a direct correlation with diet, particularly a lack of moisture and elevated phosphorus levels. Cats that frequently suffer from urinary tract issues are often fed dry kibble, which is primarily made up of carbohydrates that cats can’t properly digest, leading to conditions like diabetes.

Actionable Tip: Transition your cat to a high-protein, moisture-rich canned food or a home-prepared diet focused on animal proteins. Ensure they have easy access to fresh water—consider a cat water fountain for added appeal!

2. Say No to Unnecessary Vaccines

Excessive vaccines can do more harm than good, particularly in older cats. Over-vaccination has been linked to kidney disease and even cancer.

Dr. Jones’ Advice: Cats over three years old generally don’t need additional vaccines. Focus on maintaining their overall health instead.

3. Opt for Holistic Alternatives

Many conventional medications come with side effects that can be hard on a senior cat’s sensitive system, especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and flea/tick insecticides.

Consider NSAIDs like meloxicam, which many veterinarians prescribe for pain relief. While some cats may tolerate Metacam (a popular NSAID), others may experience serious side effects, such as kidney and liver damage. What works for one cat could harm another.

Natural Alternatives: For pain relief, try CBD instead of NSAIDs like Metacam. For flea prevention, consider diatomaceous earth, a natural and safe option.

4. Enhance Their Environment

Senior cats benefit greatly from an enriched and low-stress environment. Stress is a leading cause of urinary tract disease and other health problems in older cats.

Quick Wins: Provide toys, spend quality time grooming your cat, and ensure that scratching posts or pads are easily accessible. A low scratching pad can be especially helpful for older cats who may struggle with higher posts.

5. Prevent Disease Before It Starts

Kidney disease affects about 30% of cats over 15, with diet being a major contributing factor—especially phosphorus levels. Many feline specialists now agree that the primary nutrient damaging the kidneys and leading to kidney disease is phosphorus.

Low moisture content in food also contributes to kidney issues. To help with CKD or prevent it from developing, it’s important to decrease phosphorus content in your cat’s diet. Foods containing fish, which tend to have the highest phosphorus levels, should be avoided. Instead, opt for poultry as the protein source.

Preventive Tips: Avoid fish-based foods high in phosphorus and consider adding calcium carbonate (such as ground eggshell) to your cat’s diet to bind phosphorus and lower its levels.

Adding a phosphorus binder like calcium carbonate to your cat’s food can significantly reduce phosphorus intake. A simple dose of 1/4 teaspoon per 10 lbs of body weight daily is often effective.

Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Feline Health Formula is a great option—it contains no added phosphorus but includes calcium, which helps decrease phosphorus levels in your cat’s diet, potentially lowering the risk of CKD.

6. Tackle Common Senior Cat Issues

Dental disease and arthritis are widespread in older cats. Regular dental checks and joint care are essential for their well-being.

To check your cat’s dental health, gently lift their lips and examine their teeth and gums. Healthy gums should be soft and pink just above the tooth line. Redness indicates gingivitis, while yellow over the teeth signifies plaque that can eventually harden into tartar.

Arthritis is another common issue in senior cats. It’s a condition of normal joint wear and tear, where bone rubs against bone, causing inflammation.

Solutions: For dental health, try Propolis (Bee Glue) to reduce inflammation. Use a propolis spray, lift your cat’s lips, and apply a small squirt to both sides where the teeth and gums meet, once a day.

For arthritis, the core supplements to include are glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM, which are all found in Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Feline Health Formula.

7. Be an Engaged Cat Parent

As a cat parent, staying informed and proactive is key to your senior cat’s health. Always ask your veterinarian about side effects, and be prepared to say no to things like annual vaccines that may not be necessary.

Pro Tip: Supplements like colostrum can help strengthen your cat’s immune system, reducing the need for annual vaccines.

By following these tips, you can help ensure your senior cat remains vibrant, comfortable, and happy for years to come. For more insights and natural solutions, be sure to check out my YouTube channel and shop my specially formulated supplements, designed with your pet’s health in mind.

Heal Your Pet at Home!

P.S. You really can make a BIG difference in your cat’s health. Choose to feed them differently, avoid NSAIDs, enrich their environment, and question your vet about their care.

P.P.S. About my Cat Supplement:
Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Feline Health Formula includes additional antioxidants and lower kidney-damaging phosphorus. It’s here to help your cat thrive!