A new study looked at how various metabolites are altered with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats. The study involved 94 cats with CKD and 84 healthy senior cats.
In a cat, the digestive tract produces uremic toxins from protein digestion.
In the study cats with CKD, a number of these toxins had increased levels in the blood due to impaired excretion in the urine because of faulty kidney filtering. These toxins are associated with tubulointerstitial fibrosis in the kidney, a disease process often seen with CKD.
The researchers also found changes in the metabolism of some essential amino acids, suggesting a high-protein diet may contribute to the development of CKD.
Of course, since cats are obligate carnivores (must eat meat), their diets will always have high levels of protein, perhaps explaining why cats are predisposed to CKD.
The results of this study may help improve the early prediction and treatment of chronic kidney disease in cats.ν
Van Mulders L, et al. “Metabolomics reveals alterations in gut-derived uremic toxins and tryptophan metabolism in feline chronic kidney disease.” Veterinary Quarterly, 2025 Dec;45(1):1-15. doi: 10.1080/01652176.2024.2447601
