Liver Disease Cat Food - Preparing A Liver Disease Feline Diet

Cats with liver disease often show non-specific signs that could be attributed to other diseases. They may have a fever or not, show decreased appetite and weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, depression and, like people with liver disease, jaundice.

Jaundice in a cat can be seen with the yellowing in the whites of the eyes and of the skin at the base of the ears.

According to Dr. Richard Pitcairn, author of the “Complete Guide to the Natural Health for Dogs and Cats,” Rodale Press, also mentioned pasty-looking stool and inappropriate urination/defecation. He explains that with fatty liver disease, the liver is overwhelmed by rapid fat accumulation and shuts down. He said the most common factor for this is when a cat stops eating after a traumatic event (or something toxic that causes trauma to the body).

He also notes that for cat owners that have more than one cat and who use free feeding as a method of feeding cats, owners may not realize one cat isn’t eating. Within a week or two of not eating, the cat can develop fatty liver disease. He explains that in such cases, aggressive veterinary care is immediately called for and may require force feeding of the cat.

There are several different causes of liver disease, also known as hepatic disease. The most common in North America is hepatic lipidosis, also called fatty liver disease, according to author Jill Maddison, BVSc DipVetClinStud PhD FACVSc MRCVS, in her paper published by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress Proceedings 2001. An Australian researcher, she notes that hepatic lipidosis is not common in Australia. Some feline fanciers attribute greater risk of developing fatty liver disease to cats who are obese and eating a dry food diet high in carbohydrates. Liver cancer, infection and toxins can also cause liver disease.

Treatment for liver disease depends on the cause and may include antibiotics, coagulation treatment for bleeding disorders, intravenous fluid therapy, appetite stimulants, anti-emetics and diet management. Dr. Maddison states that cats with liver disease require a high-quality protein diet in moderate amount, with most of the cat’s caloric intake coming from non-protein sources. If preparing homemade meals, she suggests the diet be based around eggs, cottage cheese, rice and liver. Such cats may require supplementing with a cat multivitamin.

Commercial therapeutic cat foods for cats with liver disease include Hill’s Feline L/D formula. Royal Canin has several different formulas for hepatic disease, and your veterinarian can help you decide which is best for your cat. Small, easily digestible and frequent meals are recommended. Experts suggest organic foods because they are not exposed to chemicals, artificial colors or preservatives. Ask your veterinarian if you should add digestive enzymes to your cat’s diet. He or she may also recommend supplementing with S-adenyl-methionine (SAMe) or other supplements.

By taking care of feed your cat a fresh, organic, low but quality protein, low fat diet, you can help support his liver function.

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