Baking Soda for Cats with Renal Failure

Can you use baking soda for cats with renal failure? How does it act on the kidneys? How can it be used effectively? What is the life expectancy of a cat with kidney failure? What are the symptoms of end-stage renal disease? And finally, what are the other natural remedies to relieve kidney failure in cats?

I. Overview About Kidney Failure in Cats

The pathology that is the renal failure of cats is an evil that exists in two forms.

Chronic renal failure affects especially older cats. Acute renal failure, on the other hand, occurs suddenly and can affect any cat.

Renal failure is caused by the cat’s progressive loss of various kidney functions.

Although age is one of the factors that can cause this disease, other factors may be involved.

For example, certain diseases that your pet has previously contracted can lead to kidney failure later on. This could be a kidney infection, regular urinary problems, kidney cancer, or kidney damage.

For best action, pay attention to the symptoms. For example, a cat that drinks more than usual vomit often, is tired, lacks appetite, and develops mouth ulcers. These are just some of the signs that can start to worry you.

The best way to be sure of your diagnosis is to consult a veterinarian. Diet plays a big role in your pet’s health.

In fact, with the right diet, your cat can live a long life despite chronic kidney failure.

II. Symptoms of Feline Kidney Failure

Feline renal failure can occur in two ways: there are acute and chronic forms.

On the one hand, when a cat is suffering from acute renal failure, nothing can suddenly no longer ensure the elimination of toxins that are produced by its body.

The symptoms, quite numerous and above all not very characteristic, appear suddenly and the disease is most of the time irreversible.

In concrete terms, the cat eats little or nothing and is down. The cat may also have vomiting, diarrhea, and bad breath.

In addition, the cat may have difficulty urinating or urinating very little. These symptoms are very worrisome and should alert you so that you can have your cat examined by a veterinarian.

On the other hand, when a cat suffers from chronic renal failure, the kidney is gradually and irreversibly destroyed.

It is only at an advanced stage of the disease that the disturbances are noticeable.

Very often the cat drinks enough water (polydipsia) and urinates much more (polyuria). It may also have difficulty in urinating or urinating very little. In addition, he becomes thin and dehydrated.

He may also have anemia. Unfortunately, these symptoms are not characteristic.

III. Baking Soda for Cats with Renal Failure

Baking soda is often used to treat patients with kidney failure. It has been shown to slow down the deterioration of the kidneys as a preventative measure.

The study was carried out on more than 100 patients and showed that taking bicarbonate slowed down the development of chronic renal failure.

This group received a daily dose of bicarbonate of soda, in the form of tablets, in addition to their usual care.

It was found that the decline of the kidneys was normal for the majority of those taking baking soda.

Baking soda treats acidosis (blood acidity) which always occurs when a kidney fails. Acidosis is dangerous for the body, and bicarbonate neutralizes the action of the acid.

If sodium bicarbonate shows positive effects in human patients with kidney failure, what about cats?

Some established treatments use baking soda to help remove toxins from the blood of cats and other pets.

Toxins in the blood are one of the risks of kidney failure. Because the kidneys are no longer able to perform their filtering function due to the disease, waste products remain in the body. Thus, the blood becomes infected with toxins.

The use of sodium bicarbonate can make the blood of pets less acidic. In addition, this product can slow down hypercalcemia (excess calcium) and hyperkalemia (excess potassium).

Baking soda is available as an injection for pets. However, you must be careful if your cat has renal insufficiency. It is important to be careful if your cat is already under treatment, to avoid unfortunate interactions.

IV. Renal Insufficiency of the Cat, Which Life Expectancy?

It is difficult to say with precision about the life expectancy of cats with renal failure.

Renal failure has 4 stages, each linked to a particular evolution of the disease.

During stages 1 and 2, your cat can still live a long time, especially with an adapted diet.

As for stages 3 and 4, the amount of time varies from one animal to another, depending on the manifestations of the disease.

The life expectancy can go from a few weeks to a few months.

V. Kidney Failure in Cats, Euthanasia?

Although it is difficult, it may be necessary to decide to euthanize your sick cat. But only do this as a last resort. It is important to know that a cat with kidney failure can, with proper care, have a fairly good life.

Euthanasia becomes the only option when your cat is terminally ill and in severe pain, so to speak.

VI. What are the Signs of a Cat Dying from Kidney Failure?

End-stage renal disease in cats is when the cat’s body is completely intoxicated.

The kidneys no longer function at all, and waste products continue to accumulate in the animal’s body.

The manifestations of the terminal phase are tremors, convulsions, and finally coma. When your cat reaches this stage, it is usually doomed.

VII. How to Prevent Renal Failure in Cats

There are several ways to prevent kidney failure in cats, we will list the most essential:

It is recommended that you limit your cat’s exposure to toxic substances.

You should keep toxic substances such as ethylene glycol antifreeze and human and animal medications out of your cat’s reach.

You should also monitor your cat’s weight from time to time, as obesity can lead to diabetes, which in turn can lead to kidney failure.

In addition to this, you must learn to recognize the early symptoms of the disease.

Also, encourage your cat to drink. This means getting your cat to drink enough water throughout the day. Encourage your cat to urinate frequently, as this will allow him to eliminate waste from his body.

Make sure your pet has easy access to the litter box.

Don’t forget to provide a healthy diet for your cat. This is very important.

VIII. Other Natural Remedies for Kidney Failure in Cats

1. Dandelion

Dandelion is one of the plants that can reduce various kidney problems. This plant is useful for the elimination of toxins present in the body. In addition, it improves the urinary system which, again, helps to expel waste.

2. Fasting

Although it may seem counterintuitive, fasting can help your cat if it has chronic kidney failure.

Of course, one of the symptoms of this condition is loss of appetite. Also, it is usual that your sick cat loses more and more weight. Nevertheless, fasting your cat can also help his body to rest.

To fast your cat, you should start at the first sign of a lack of appetite. Start by letting your cat go without food for 24 hours.

You can extend this fast if your cat’s appetite doesn’t return. This will allow your pet to cleanse the acidity from its bloodstream.

Forcing your cat to eat when it doesn’t want to can be harmful to it.

3. Raw Meat

Raw meat can help your sick cat, especially if your cat has type 3 or 4 kidney failure. In these cases, your cat’s appetite is likely to be at its lowest.

Raw meat, and here we are talking about chicken meat, will probably be the easiest to attract your cat, because of its carnivorous nature. Moreover, it will surely be easier for him to digest it.

To do this, you must avoid seasoning it. Neither oil nor spices should accompany it.

4. Fish Oil

Fish oil has an anti-inflammatory effect on the cat’s renal failure. This type of oil allows a reduction of chemicals, which improves the communication between the different membranes.

IX. Other Questions About the Cat’s Kidneys

# What is Kidney Tubular Acidosis in Cats

Renal tubular acidosis in cats represents a class of disorders in which excretion of hydrogen ions or reabsorption of filtered HCO3 is reduced.

This results in a chronic metabolic acidosis associated with a normal anion gap.

It should be noted that in general, hyperchloremia is present and secondary disturbances affecting other electrolytes are observed, concerning potassium (often) and calcium (rarely).

# How Can I Improve my Cat’s Kidney Function?

To improve your cat’s kidney function, you need to provide a diet low in protein and phosphorus.

You must also get your cat to drink enough water and urinate. You should ask your veterinarian to perform regular blood tests once your cat reaches a certain age.

# What Can I Feed my Cat with Renal Failure?

It is important to note that the diet of a cat with kidney failure must meet several objectives. It is necessary to:

Improve its water intake through wet foods such as canned or bagged food, moistened kibble, etc.

Don’t forget to give your dog a medium-sized ration divided into several small meals during the day.

For example, you can feed him food rich in energy and fat, at least 3 meals a day.

Reduce his phosphorus intake to prevent or slow down kidney fibrosis. Protein intake must also be of good quality and, above all, highly digestible, at least 5 g of protein per kg of the cat’s body weight.

Increase its intake of Omega 3 essential fatty acids.

A contribution that you can make in the form of fish oil or rapeseed oil, or food rich enough in Omega 3, with a ratio of Omega 6 / Omega 3<1.

# How Can I Lower my Cat’s Creatinine?

Reducing your cat’s dietary phosphorus intake will reduce his creatinine level.

For example, you can give your cat a low-phosphorus kibble.

# Is Turmeric Good for Cats with Kidney Disease?

Yes, turmeric is good for cats with kidney failure. According to veterinarians, you can give your cat 1 to 3 g per day of turmeric, whether he is sick or under treatment.

You can also give it in a sauce, mixing a spoonful of turmeric with olive or coconut oil.

Take care to add 1/3 of hot water and black pepper.

# Is Olive Oil Good for Cats with Kidney Disease?

Olive oil allows the food to be tasty. In general, a cat with kidney failure does not have much of an appetite.

Therefore, a drizzle of olive oil or fish oil, a drop of milk, or brewer’s yeast can make his food more palatable.

This will give him back his appetite.

# Can I Put Baking Soda in my Cat’s Litter?

Baking soda can be put in a cat’s litter box.

To do this, simply pour a small amount of baking soda into the bottom of the litter box once you have made it clean and dry.

Then you need to cover it with litter.

You’ll notice that urine odors are absorbed and the plastic of the box no longer emits unpleasant odors.

# What is Metabolic Acidosis in Cats?

Metabolic acidosis in cats is a disorder caused largely by an inadequate diet.

In cats, it is a disease caused by ingestion of a compound that turns into an acid, by diabetes that is poorly controlled, or by chronic kidney failure that causes insufficient elimination of acidic compounds through the urine.

Important diarrhea can also cause leakage of basic compounds (bicarbonates).