The effect of dry food on hypertension and kidney function among cats

A. Y. Ismail; M. Ismail

doi:10.15421/0225219

A. Y. Ismail University of Mosul
M. Ismail University of Mosul

Keywords: cats, sodium, dry food, blood pressure, renal function.

Abstract

Hypertension is an important clinical condition in the domestic cat. It is frequently associated with renal and cardiovascular disorders. Although hypertension is usually a secondary consequence of an underlying clinical condition, the influence of dietary composition and, especially, the exclusive consumption of dry foods is controversial and has been understudied. The objective of the study was to assess the impact of the exclusive consumption of dry food on arterial blood pressure and renal function indicators in clinically normal domestic cats. In a comparative study carried out on 41 apparently health y domestic cats aged 1 – 7 years and monitored over 60 days, 19 were fed on dry foods and 22 , the control group, fed on either wet foods or natural foods. The blood pressure of the cats was monitored using non-invasive validated techniques. Blood tests were carried out on the cats to determine serum levels of sodium, urea, and creatinine. For cats fed dry food, a highly significant increase in systolic arterial pressure was found from a baseline of a mean of 119 to 211 mmHg ( P < 0.001). There was no such effect in the controls. There was a marked increase in the levels of serum sodium in the dry food group from 147.6 to 387.5 mEq/L ( P < 0.001). For the controls, the levels of serum sodium were within normal limits throughout the period of the study. Significant changes in the levels of urea from 9.4 to 14.6 mmol/L and creatinine from 138.8 to 168.7 µmol/L were also found in the dry food group. Diet consisting exclusively of dry foods for a short period resulted in a marked increase in blood pre s sure and impaired renal function indicators in healthy cats. These effects underscore the need to balance moisture and sodium content in feline foods.

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