Can Cats with Kidney Disease Eat Prawns? A Guide for Cat Owners
Prawns can make a tasty treat for cats but what about cats diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD)? Is it safe for them to enjoy some shrimpy goodness too? Or are prawns off the menu for cats with compromised kidney function?
In this article, we’ll explore how kidney disease affects a cat’s nutritional needs, the potential risks and benefits of feeding prawns to cats with CKD, precautions to take, and healthier seafood alternatives you can offer your feline friend
How Kidney Disease Changes a Cat’s Dietary Requirements
CKD is a common age-related condition in cats that causes gradual kidney damage over time. As kidney function declines, waste builds up in the bloodstream instead of being filtered out properly.
This changes a CKD cat’s nutritional needs in some key ways:
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Increased Fluids – Kidneys have a harder time concentrating urine, so increased water intake is crucial.
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Lower Protein – Reduces kidney workload and preserves function. Ranges from 28-35% dry matter basis.
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Lower Phosphorus – Helps delay CKD progression. Ranges from 0.3-0.6% dry matter.
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Lower Sodium – Reduces kidney workload and maintains healthy blood pressure.
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Increased Omega-3s – Reduce inflammation and kidney tissue damage.
Meeting these adjusted requirements through diet is important for managing clinical signs, supporting kidney health, and slowing CKD progression.
Potential Benefits of Prawns for Cats with Kidney Disease
Prawns do offer some valuable nutritional benefits:
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High-Quality Protein – Provides essential amino acids for muscle maintenance.
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Omega-3 Fatty Acids – EPA and DHA help reduce inflammation.
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Low Phosphorus – Prawns contain less phosphorus than red meats.
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Low Sodium – Shellfish are naturally lower in sodium than processed foods.
The protein and omega-3s support a CKD cat’s adjusted nutritional guidelines. Prawns make a healthier protein choice than red meats or chicken.
Potential Risks of Feeding Prawns to Cats with Kidney Issues
However, there are also some potential risks to keep in mind:
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High Purine Content – May aggravate kidney problems in some cats.
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Heavy Metal Exposure – Shellfish can contain traces of metals like mercury.
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Food Allergies – Some cats may be allergic or intolerant to shellfish.
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High Microbial Levels – Improper handling can cause foodborne illness.
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Excess Phosphorus – Levels can still be too high for late-stage CKD cats.
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Sodium Content – Varies depending on preparation and seasoning.
It’s important to consult your vet on the appropriate amounts, frequency and preparation of prawns for your individual cat.
Tips for Feeding Prawns to Cats with Kidney Disease
Follow these tips for safely feeding prawns to cats with CKD:
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Choose wild-caught or sustainably farmed prawns when possible.
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Cook prawns thoroughly to reduce microbial contamination risk.
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Remove the shell and tail since these are choking hazards.
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Serve prawns plain without added salt or spices.
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Limit prawn intake to a few small pieces 1-2 times per week.
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Monitor your cat closely for signs of allergic reaction.
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Ask your vet to recommend a max phosphorus level per meal.
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For advanced CKD, avoid prawns due to excess phosphorus.
Moderation and proper preparation are key to making prawns an occasional treat for cats with kidney issues.
Healthier Seafood Alternatives for CKD Cats
For cats that don’t tolerate prawns well, try these lower-phosphorus seafood options:
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Canned sardines packed in water
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Cooked white fish like cod, haddock or flounder
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Canned salmon or tuna packed in water
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Small amounts of cooked egg, beef or chicken
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Low-sodium cat treats with fish flavors
Focus on low-phosphorus proteins that align with your vet’s prescribed kidney diet. Variety keeps mealtime interesting for your cat!
The Verdict on Prawns for Cats with Kidney Disease
My 10-year-old cat was just diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, and I was told she needs to eat special food. What does this mean for her?
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the most common kidney-based disease in cats. Normally, the kidneys filter waste out of the blood and flush it out in the urine. But cats with CKD will end up with a buildup of these waste products in their bloodstream because the filtering process doesn’t work as well. For more information on this condition please see the handout “Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats”.
Nutrition plays an important role in managing CKD in cats. There are four core goals for managing CKD in cats:
- Take care of the symptoms that come with too many waste products in the blood.
- Minimize problems with fluid and mineral balance
- Sustain adequate nutrition
- Modify/slow the progression of CKD
Nutrition addresses all of these goals. Commercial diets for cats with CKD are developed to prioritize these key goals. When compared to regular adult cat food, a kidney support diet has more omega-3 fatty acids and less protein, sodium, and phosphorus. These diets are formulated to help cats with CKD avoid metabolic acidosis and are available from your veterinarian. Hills® Prescription Diet® k/d® (which comes in both early and late state diets), Royal Canin® Renal Support, Purina® ProPlan® Veterinary Diet NF Kidney Function®, and Rayne Clinical NutritionTM Adult Health-RSSTM are some examples.
How do nutritional requirements differ for cats with CKD?
Water. Diseased kidneys are not as effective at excreting waste products from the body through the urine. One consequence of CKD is a decreased ability of the kidneys to concentrate the urine. To keep getting rid of toxins even though urine is less concentrated, the body makes you thirstier to make up for it. This makes it critical for you to provide your cat with an unlimited supply of fresh water. Canned food can help increase your cats intake of moisture. To get your pet to drink more water, change the water several times a day and clean the water bowl every day. A running water fountain might also be a good idea to keep them interested in water.
Protein. Less protein in the diet may slow the progression of CKD by making it easier for the kidneys to get rid of protein waste. When there is less protein in the body, the kidneys don’t have to filter out as much protein, which helps the kidneys keep working well. The recommended range of protein on a dry matter basis for cats with CKD is 28-35%. If protein intake is too low however, CKD will start to break down muscle mass.
Phosphorus. Keeping cats with CKD from eating too much phosphorus seems to help slow the progression of the disease, but the exact way it works is still unknown. It also serves to reduce the effects of renal (kidney) secondary hyperparathyroidism. The recommended phosphorus range on a dry matter basis for cats with CKD is 0. 3-0. 6%. Phosphorus levels are linked to protein levels, so you can’t get these lower phosphorus levels without also lowering protein levels.
Sodium. Dietary sodium levels are mildly restricted to reduce the workload on the kidneys. This in turn helps to maintain a reasonable blood pressure.
Omega-3 fatty acids. Eating omega-3 fatty acids can help lower the production of inflammatory chemicals that damage kidney tissue through oxidative stress. This can help slow the progression of CKD. This works by reducing protein leaking through the kidneys.
Is Fish Good for Cats with Kidney Disease?
FAQ
Are prawns ok for kidney disease?
Is shrimp good for cats with kidney disease?
What foods should cats avoid with kidney disease?
Can cats with kidney disease eat fish?
Are prawns bad for cats?
A: Cats with kidney disease require a carefully managed diet to support their kidney function. Prawns, like any other high-protein food, can be problematic for cats with kidney disease due to the strain on their already compromised kidneys. These cats need a specialized diet that’s low in phosphorus and sodium. Are Prawns good for overweight cats?
Can one eat watermelon on a kidney diet?
It depends on the stage of the disease. Watermelon is a fruit with protective properties against kidney disease and helps keep urine clean, as it has diuretic properties. In addition, it also has steroids and alkanes as the main constituents of the pulp, which could help prevent kidney stone formation. However, if you have advanced kidney disease, you should not consume watermelon as it is rich in potassium.
Can cats with kidney problems eat wet food?
Make sure the food contains reduced amounts of protein. A reduced protein diet is important for cats with kidney issues, as it can be hard on your cat’s kidneys to process a lot of protein at once. Give your cat wet food that contains less protein and protein that is high quality.
Can cats with kidney disease eat canned food?
“Cats with kidney disease dehydrate easily, so providing some moisture in the form of canned food is a good idea.” She says cats with kidney disease also benefit from a high-quality fish oil supplement. In humans, fish oil has shown to have a protective effect for kidneys.