How to Detect Kidney Problems in Your Pet Cat
- 1). Monitor your cat's water consumption for any changes. If you notice that your cat suddenly drinks much more water than usual, even seeking out alternative sources of water, such as sinks, bathtubs or even toilet bowls, this indicates extreme thirst, a condition called, polydipsia. Cats with acute or chronic kidney failure exhibit polydipsia.
- 2). Smell your cat's breath. A cat with kidney problems that cannot excrete the toxins from its system will develop a strong odor of ammonia due to a build-up of bacteria in the mouth. You may also see small ulcers in the mouth, a symptom of chronic renal failure.
- 3). Check to see if your cat exhibits signs of dehydration. Pinch the skin on the back of the cat's neck gently between your fingers. If the skin does not snap back into place immediately, the cat is dehydrated. Other signs of dehydration include sunken eyes, dry skin or cracked paw pads, according to Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Renal Failure. Cats with kidney problems experience dehydration, even when drinking a normal amount of water.
- 4). Observe your cat's litter box behavior. A cat with kidney issues will either urinate more than usual, less than usual or show signs of straining to urinate in the litter box. The cat may even cry out in pain while attempting to urinate. When scooping the cat's box, look for blood in the urine, that can indicate kidney stones. Cats with kidney issues may also eliminate outside of the litter box, so check around your home using a black light to illuminate any cat urine spots.
- 5). Monitor your cat's appetite and weight for changes. If your cat suddenly has a decrease in appetite or loses weight, this can indicate kidney disease. A cat with kidney problems feels ill and loses its appetite due to the problems caused by a failure of the kidneys, including anemia, high phosphorus levels, mouth ulcers and fluid build-up in its system, according to Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Renal Failure.
- 6). Observe your cat's behavior. Cats with kidney problems show signs of lethargy, stumbling, shaking, a lack of coordination or disorientation due to the failure of kidneys to eliminate the toxins in its system.
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