Is it safe to give probiotics to my cat who has kidney disease?

Hi and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Yes, this supplement should be relatively safe. There are no known negative side effects or contraindications for use of this joint supplement in cats or cats with kidney disease. I hope this helps!

I don’t typically worry about Vitamin B deficiency in cats with CKD. It is common in cats with GI disease or diarrhea. B vitamins are safe in appropriate amounts, but I would recommend that you consult with your vet about any supplements. The kidneys are responsible for excreting excess b vitamins, and if they are severely impaired, there could be negative side effects.

Hi and thank you for your question on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Most deworming medications are generally ok to give to patients with renal disease, but it does depend on the medication being used. If you can provide the name of the medication, I can give you a bit more guidance. Thanks for posting!

Yes, it’s fine. The kidney care diet is appropriate for all cats, it just helps protect the kidneys and not make them work harder than necessary. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you get answers to your veterinary questions.

There is a lot of misconception when it comes to pet food. Grains are not bad for pets as long as they are the right kind, high-quality and easy to digest. They provide many essential amino acids that are not found in animal products. Royal Canin and Science Diet are both high quality brands with lots of research, data and good quality control. Switching to the recommended diet is the best thing you can do for Mercy. The diet contains controlled protein, controlled phosphorus, controlled potassium and additional omega three fatty acid supplements as well as antioxidants. You can certainly supplement her as it is not likely to hurt but the main control for kidney disease will be found with the protein and phosphorus. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

No, I would not give this to a cat who has kidney problems. Studies have found that supplementation with these fatty acids may cause renal damage. It's very important have strictly controlled protein in diets of cats with kidney disease, and giving them these may through off the balance.

I've read many different studies and case reports, all with conflicting information regarding both the safety and efficacy of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) recommendations for cats with kidney disease. The tricky part with utilizing baking soda in this situation is that it can dramatically alter potassium levels which can be catastrophic, as well as causing an unintentional metabolic alkalosis. I would avoid giving baking soda to Kitty unless your vet specifically directs you to do so based on her current blood test results. Instead, I would discuss low protein prescription diets with your vet, as well as subcutaneous fluids on a regular basis, as these treatments are more likely to help slow the progression of kidney disease as much as possible. I hope that everything goes well!