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I have a very senior cat (19), who is in Stage 3 kidney disease. She also takes a thyroid pill. She has never been willing to eat a prescriptive diet, she loves regular canned food, but in her old age won't eat the same flavor two times in a row. She's doing well with poo, pee, engaging with us, grooming - she enjoys life. What can I do to help her gain some weight. She only weighs about 8.5 lbs now. As she has aged she has continued to drop weight.

I have a very senior cat (19), who is in Stage 3 kidney disease. She also takes a thyroid pill. She has never been willing to eat a prescriptive diet, she loves regular canned food, but in her old age won't eat the same flavor two times in a row. She's doing well with poo, pee, engaging with us, grooming - she enjoys life. What can I do to help her gain some weight. She only weighs about 8.5 lbs now. As she has aged she has continued to drop weight.

Updated On October 13th, 2023

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 8.5 lbs

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Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

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hHello, thank you for using PetCoach. I'm sorry that Cuddles that is having this issue. Weight loss is very difficult to manage in a cat with advanced kidney disease especially if the cat will not eat the prescription diet. The weight loss is typically muscle wasting. The prescription diets are restrictive in phosphorus which is essential in keeping kidney damage to a minimum. These diets also have a reduced sodium content to prevent dehydration, are high in specific amino acids to promote muscle mass and contain other ingredients, like omega-3 fatty acids, that support kidney health. Being picky about the diet is common as they are often nauseous due to toxin build up in their blood from the kidneys not filtering properly. You should talk to your vet about using Cerenia or Zofran for this issue to see if it helps. She may also need an appetite stimulant drug either mirtazapine or Entyce. Please talk to your vet about these. The only way for her to gain weight is to eat better. I don't know if you are aware but there are many companies that make prescription kidney diets. If she won't eat one brand she may eat one of the others. I suggest you try different ones. If purchased from your vet, if your cat does not eat it, the pet food company will typically take the food back and refund your money so you are not out the money of trying the food. In my experience, cats tend to like the Royal Canin kidney prescription diets the best but Hill's, Purina and Blue Buffalo also have them. You can try this supplement to help her eliminate phosphorus absorption from her GI tract to help alleviate the strain on the kidneys especially if she will not eat the prescription diet. This would be an adjunct will is not specific for weight gain. Again, the only way to get her gain weight is to get her to eat more (manage nausea and give an appetite stimulant). ( https://worldtails.securevetsource.com/itemView/view/223965_HomeDelivery.pml?productId=114903 ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.

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