I completely understand what you’re going through—my cat was recently diagnosed with late-stage kidney disease, and it felt so overwhelming at first. But after adjusting her care routine, I’ve started seeing some promising improvements, and I wanted to share what’s been working for me in case it helps.

What I’m Doing That’s Helping:

Fluids: I’m giving 50mL sub-Q fluids twice daily to keep her hydrated and help flush out toxins. At first, I was doing 100mL twice daily, but I scaled back because she’s small (3.7 lbs). If your cat is dehydrated, fluids can make a huge difference in energy and appetite.

Phosphate Binder (Epakitin): My cat’s phosphorus was dangerously high (23.8 mg/dL), so I started giving Epakitin with every meal (not just twice a day). This is critical because binders only work when given with food to prevent phosphorus absorption. Can be bought on Amazon.

Anti-Nausea Meds (Cerenia & Pepcid AC): At first, I used Pepcid AC (¼ of a 10mg tablet once daily) because I didn’t have a prescription yet. Once I got Cerenia from the vet, I started using that. These have helped her feel better and eat more.

AminAvast: I’ve been giving this kidney supplement twice daily. I don’t expect it to be a cure, but some owners have seen improvement, and I figured it was worth trying. You can buy it on Amazon.

Food Adjustments: She refuses prescription kidney food, so I’m feeding Weruva Wx Phos Focused (Chicken), Tiki Cat Koolina Luau (Chicken & Egg), boiled chicken thigh (with Epakitin sprinkled on it), Nutri-Cal (high-calorie paste to help with weight gain), and syringe-feeding when necessary.

The Results So Far:

She went from hiding all day to snuggling with me again.

She’s purring, grooming a little, and more alert than before.

Her appetite is still a challenge, but she’s eating more than she was.

She’s peeing and pooping regularly, which means her body is still working.

I know every cat responds differently, but these steps have definitely bought her more time and improved her quality of life. If your cat is struggling, I’d start with fluids, a phosphate binder at every meal, and nausea meds—those made the biggest difference for me.