Why early recognition matters
Chronic kidney disease is one of the most common conditions in older cats, yet its first signs — subtle weight loss, increased thirst, a duller coat — are easy to attribute to ageing.
Structured monitoring of body weight, appetite and water intake over time gives the clearest early signal, well before a single blood test would.
When to involve a specialist
A specialist review helps when staging is unclear, when there are concurrent conditions, or when an owner wants a second opinion on a long-term management plan.