What I Wish I Knew Sooner About Kidney Disease in Cats

A Holistic Approach to Supporting Senior Cats—Lessons from Dr. Ruth Roberts and My Journey with Mia

Today is Sunday, February 23rd, and I want to talk about kidney disease in cats.

This is very personal for me because one of my senior cats that has passed away, Mia, had kidney disease for almost 4 years. Ultimately, she passed away from lymphoma, however.

There are some things I wish I knew about how to prevent and manage kidney disease holistically. The audio below includes a short clip from my interview with Dr. Ruth Roberts where she shares a holistic perspective on kidney disease—including why restricting protein might not always be the best approach and how simple dietary and supplement changes could make a huge difference.

After the clip, I’ll share how I’m applying this knowledge to my cats today, Niko and Milo, and I’ll also talk more about my journey with Mia.

🐾 The Truth About Kidney Disease in Cats – What I Learned from Dr. Ruth Roberts

Kidney disease is one of the most common health challenges for senior cats, and like many pet parents, I followed a traditional veterinary approach when Mia was diagnosed. But after speaking with Dr. Ruth Roberts, I realized that there were a couple of things I could have done holistically that might have been beneficial for her as well. In the end, I’m so grateful Mia lived about 4 more years after being diagnosed with kidney disease.

Here are some key takeaways from my conversation with Dr. Ruth:

1️⃣ The “Protein Restriction” Myth

Many vets recommend low-protein prescription diets for cats with kidney disease, but Dr. Ruth warns that this can actually do more harm than good.

👉 Why? Senior cats need muscle mass to stay mobile. Unless a cat’s phosphorus levels are out of control, reducing protein too soon can lead to muscle wasting, weakness, and a lower quality of life.

2️⃣ Hydration is Everything

Cats naturally don’t drink much water, so moisture in their food is essential. If a cat is eating mostly dry kibble, the kidneys have to work much harder to filter waste.

✅ What Helps? Feeding a high-moisture diet (wet food or raw) can be kinder to the kidneys and may even delay the need for subcutaneous fluids.

3️⃣ Chronic Inflammation is the Real Enemy

Kidney disease isn’t just about aging—it’s caused by long-term inflammation that damages the kidneys over time. Dr. Ruth explained that something called advanced glycation end products (AGEs) build up and scar the kidney’s filtering cells, making them less efficient.

✅ What Helps? Adding anti-inflammatory supplements like:

• Omega-3 fatty acids (to reduce kidney inflammation)

• Quercetin (a bioflavonoid that can help stabilize kidney function)

4️⃣ Subcutaneous Fluids + B12 Injections = Game Changer

Fluids aren’t just for advanced kidney disease—Dr. Ruth says that giving subcutaneous (sub-Q) fluids early on can dramatically improve how cats feel. She also recommends B12 injections to boost their energy and well-being.

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📽️ My Take: How I’m Applying This with Niko, Milo & What I Wish I Knew for Mia

Looking back on Mia’s kidney disease journey, there are things I wish I had known sooner.

🚰 Filtered Water – I gave Mia and Nomar tap water for years before learning about potential contaminants. Now, Niko and Milo drink from a filtered pet fountain, and I’ve noticed they’re drinking more water than ever.

🥩 Higher Quality Food – Mia ate kibble and wet food most of her life. Actually she started with kibble only for the first 12 years of her life; then I introduced wet food to her and after that, she ate a diet of part dry and part wet food.

When she was diagnosed with kidney disease, we switched to a renal prescription diet—but she hated it. Eventually, we fed her regular wet food, because keeping her eating was more important. If I could go back, I would have transitioned her to a high-quality, moisture-rich diet much earlier. I am currently feeding Niko and Milo wet food from Open Farm. They use animal welfare certified meats, raised without antibiotics or added hormones, sustainable seafood, non-GMO fruits and veggies, and more. And always without corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.

🎾 More Play & Muscle Maintenance – I never realized how much muscle mass matters for senior cats. Or at least it was something I never thought about. Mia lost a lot of muscle in her last couple of years. Today, I make sure Niko and Milo play daily, keeping their bodies strong and active. Their current favorite toy is this wand toy from Dezi & Roo. They go nuts for it. Jumping, running, pouncing, chasing. Of course, they are only 1, so they have lots of energy! As senior cats are typically less active, and many develop arthritis and joint mobility issues, you’ll have to change the way you play with them. We’ll discuss that in an upcoming newsletter.

🩸 Supplements for Prevention – I wasn’t aware of omega-3s or quercetin for kidney health back then, but now, I’m looking into ways to support Niko and Milo’s kidneys proactively so they don’t face the same struggles later in life. I am currently giving them Omega Paws from Dr. Ruth Roberts.

This conversation with Dr. Ruth has given me some new things to consider when it comes to kidney disease in our cats. If you have a senior cat, or want to prevent issues before they start, these small changes can make a huge difference.

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🐾 What About You?

Have you experienced kidney disease with a cat before? Are you doing anything now to support kidney health for your current cats?

Please feel free to comment below and let me know—I’d love to hear your story.

💛 Scott | Golden Whiskers