On Thu, 10 Feb 2011 14:42:40 -0800, "Julie Bove"
wrote:
With kidney disease she should be on a low protein diet.... carbs are
generally fine so long as the cat is not diabetic. But all 17 year
old cats should be on a low protein diet. The last cat I had with
kidney failure was able to survive quite a while on short rations of
Fancy Feast, berry yogurt (any berry flavor), and Jello tapioca
pudding in those little snack cups. Make sure plenty of water is
available, some cats prefer to drink running water... I have one now
with a thyroid problem and she drinks from the kitchen tap... every
time I pass and see her trying to get a few drops I turn it on,
probably a dozen times a day, she has her water bowl right there but
prefers running water... never let a cat become dehydrated, especially
when they are ill. And clean the litter box often... a dirty litter
box is how many cats contract the common feline illnesses. Use
quality clumping litter, and remember cats lick their paws, it's a
good idea to wash their paws every day, indoor cats don't have access
to water they can bathe in. My cats wash their own paws, I keep a
kitten sized litter pan in the basement filled with an inch of water,
they all like to wade in it. Cats copy each other, they see one wade
in the water isn't long they all do. In the wild felines like to
travel through water, cats don't like to leave a scent. I can't take
very hot showers because one of my cats usually hops into the shower
with me.