When dealing with kidney disease in cats, knowing when to euthanize is one of the most heart-wrenching decisions a pet owner must make, as delayed action can lead to unnecessary suffering, diminishing your cat’s quality of life. It is a tough decision, so I will give indicators of when it may be time to consider euthanizing cats with kidney disease.
Kidney Disease in Cats: When to Euthanize
Chronic kidney disease often manifests through multiple concerning signs: A cat’s kidneys begin to fail, showing through deteriorating physical health, significant appetite and weight loss, visible pain, and noticeable changes in daily behavior. After exploring the treatment options available, these changes can collectively indicate the advancing stages of kidney failure and may signal the time to consider humane euthanasia.
As a veterinarian, I realize how hard it is to decide on euthanizing pet cats. The difficult time will come when a cat’s quality of life significantly diminishes. In such a diagnosis, you may consider euthanasia to keep your pet free from pain.
| Stage | Quality of Life Indicators | Considerations |
| Early | Cat is still active and engaged; eating well with treatment | Not typically considered |
| Moderate | Maintains some routine; may respond to treatment | Cat shows consistent distress; declining health despite intervention |
| Advanced | Difficulty maintaining hydration; limited mobility | Constant discomfort; more bad days than good |
| End-Stage | Unable to perform basic functions; constant pain and discomfort | Pain is evident; no improvements despite aggressive medications |
What Is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in Cats?
A cat’s kidneys serve as the body’s “recycling plant”, filtering blood and retaining useful components while removing waste. Chronic kidney disease in cats occurs when normal kidney function is impaired. It involves permanent loss of nephrons or functional kidney units that make it hard to filter blood and make urine.
Acute kidney failure in cats happens suddenly due to toxin, infection, or trauma, causing rapid loss of kidney function. In comparison, chronic kidney failure develops gradually over months or years as kidneys deteriorate due to age, genetics, or underlying conditions.
- Diagnosis methods: A veterinarian will conduct a clinical examination and blood tests to measure blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine levels, and phosphorus levels. A vet uses a system called IRIS (International Renal Interest Society) to determine the treatment options and prognosis for chronic kidney disease in cats.
- Symptoms: CKD is a progressive condition that worsens without treatment. Common signs include increased urine production, more frequent urine clumps, weight loss, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Kidney problems: A cat with kidney disease loses the ability to remove waste from the bloodstream. Aside from abnormal urine production, they would also have disrupted potassium and sodium balance.
- Treatment approach: A vet may treat a cat with chronic kidney failure using a combination of a specialized renal diet, fluid therapy, medications to manage symptoms, and regular monitoring of blood values.
Cat Kidney Disease Stages
A cat’s kidney disease stage can heavily influence your decisions. As your cat’s veterinarian, I can also use these stages to give you objective disease progression considerations for euthanizing terminally ill pets.
- Stage 1 (Early): Many cats with kidney disease can still have normal creatinine and BUN levels. However, even in the early stages, you need to monitor for new symptoms, including diluted urine.
- Stage 2 (Mild): A vet may see a slight elevation in creatinine and BUN. Mild symptoms will be more present, especially the possibility of high blood pressure. Regular vet monitoring is recommended.
- Stage 3 (Moderate): Multiple symptoms will show up in the cat’s body, requiring a vet to administer medications and conduct check-ups regularly. Life expectancy may be less than two years.
- Stage 4 (End Stage): Multiple severe symptoms will manifest, including compromised kidney function and heightened creatinine and BUN levels. Expect survival time to not go beyond three months.
Prognosis of Cats With Kidney Disease
Life expectancy for cats with kidney disease depends on the stage of diagnosis, with early stages potentially allowing one to two years with proper management.
Affected cats with moderate kidney function loss (Stage III) typically live between 6-18 months, while those with severe decline (Stage IV) usually have a life expectancy of only 1-2 months.
How Do You Know When It’s Time to Put a Cat Diagnosed With Kidney Disease to Sleep?
Cats with malfunctioning kidneys appear to be consistently uncomfortable or distressed despite medical interventions. These physical and behavioral changes can significantly impact your cat’s daily life. The following observations may indicate that the disease has progressed to a point where putting your pet to sleep should be discussed with a veterinarian to prevent unnecessary agony.
1. Deteriorating Physical Condition
You may notice difficulty moving, and persistent breathing difficulties, particularly for older cats. Euthanization can be an option if your pet has renal failure and isn’t getting better with treatments. With this illness, your pet may suffer from seizures, severe dehydration, vomiting, and generalized weakness.
2. Loss of Appetite and Weight
Cats diagnosed with CKD may lose their appetites, ultimately causing them to stop eating. Sometimes, your pet may try to eat yet experience vomiting and diarrhea. Refusing to eat and significant weight loss, along with a terminal diagnosis, are primary indications that it’s time to euthanize cats.
3. Chronic Pain
Most cats, particularly older ones, may experience chronic pain and degenerative illnesses. While certain medical disorders are treatable, problems in the kidneys may be progressive, leading to suffering. You may consider putting your cat to sleep if the disease compromises your pet’s ability to function.
4. Loss of Interest
An unwell cat could become uninterested in playing or interacting with other pets. Cat behavior expert Dr. Mikel Delgado says some cats are more affectionate than others. A previously affectionate cat may seek isolation with significant behavior changes or lethargy.
5. Change in Attitude, Behavior, and Daily Routine
Despite your best efforts to administer medications and maintain quality of life, a cat with kidney disease in advanced stages may show significant changes in their attitude and behavior. These may include withdrawing from interaction and struggling with basic daily routines like eating, grooming, or using the litter box.
Should I Choose Palliative Care, Hospice, or Euthanasia for Cats With Kidney Disease?
As a veterinarian, I often encounter pet owners who second-guess their decisions throughout each stage of care. When you have a cat with kidney disease, the choice between palliative care, hospice, or euthanization depends on the progression of symptoms and diagnosis.
Palliative Care Stage: Initial Response
The goal of palliative care is to slow disease progression in the body and manage kidney disease symptoms in cats. It’s often recommended immediately following the diagnosis of mild to moderate kidney disease.
Palliative care is best for middle-aged and older cats still responding to treatments. This may also be a good option if your cat has the ability to maintain a relatively normal routine and you can provide medications at home. This type of care still requires regular vet check-ups and consistent medication administration to manage symptoms.
Hospice Stage: Intermediate Care
A cat with kidney disease may transition to hospice care when there’s evident disease progression despite aggressive treatment. At this point, a cat’s quality of life may be deteriorating due to reduced eating and drinking, regular vomiting, and severe lethargy.
The focus of hospice care is to maximize comfort in cats rather than treating renal failure. By this time, you speak with a vet about the possibility of putting cats down.
Euthanasia Consideration: Final Stage
Consider putting down cats with kidney disease when you’ve tried all the options for treatment available and your cat’s quality of life didn’t improve. You may also assess your cat’s quality of life using this scale.
The primary purpose of euthanizing cats with kidney diseases is to prevent further pain. Remember that with kidney disease, a feline’s kidneys won’t be able to normally eliminate waste products in the blood, such as blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. Your cat may have persistent discomfort despite interventions.
Related Questions
How Do I Know When to Put My Cat Down With Kidney Disease?
In most cases, euthanizing your cat should be considered when your pet shows multiple severe symptoms despite treatment and their health has significantly deteriorated. For example, when your cat stops drinking completely and appears to be in constant discomfort despite medical intervention, these are indicators that it may be time to consider euthanization.
How Long Before Kidney Failure Kills a Cat?
When an adult or senior cat is diagnosed with kidney failure, they can often live for at least two years with proper medical management and care. However, survival time varies significantly based on the cat’s diagnosis and response to medications.
What Are the End-of-Life Symptoms of Kidney Disease in Cats?
The final stages of kidney disease in felines are marked by severe symptoms, including extreme weight loss, complete loss of appetite, and inability to control urination or defecation. These symptoms are often accompanied by lethargy, dehydration, and significant changes in blood pressure and organ function.
How Do I Know if My Cat Is in Pain From Kidney Failure?
Despite ongoing medications, most cats diagnosed with advanced kidney failure may demonstrate signs of pain through behavioral changes such as aggression, vocalization, or hiding when touched in certain areas. As more challenges arise, cats may show their discomfort through hunched posture, reduced mobility, and resistance to interaction.
Do Cats Know When They Are Dying?
While cats may know when they’re dying, there’s no real way to determine. Cats are intuitive animals; some may detect weakness and physical deterioration, causing them to become more reserved.
What Happens Right Before a Cat Dies?
A cat near death will become weak and may lose its desire to eat. Breathing may become labored and irregular. The cat will become quieter and calmer right before death as its body and organs shut down, and it slips away.
Conclusion
The moment your cat stops responding to pain medications and symptomatic care may be the turning point. When you notice behavior changes, mobility issues, chronic pain, and weight loss in your pet with kidney disease, it may be time to consider euthanasia. My veterinarians at Paws into Grace and your family together can help make an informed decision.
