Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition often associated with advanced age. According to recent data, 1 out of 3 cats will develop CKD in their lifetime. It is also common for senior cats to develop other age-related conditions such as reduced mobility or cognitive dysfunction, which can significantly impact the quality of life of both the cat and the pet parent.
Degenerative joint disease (DJD) is a common condition in senior cats and causes pain and inflammation in a cat’s joints. Studies have shown that DJD is so common that 90% of cats over the age of 12 years suffer from DJD. Cats hide their pain very well; therefore, pet parents may not recognize the signs of joint disease. Some of these signs include being less active while awake or sleeping more than usual, behaviors which can be seen as normal considering the age of the cat.
As cats grow older, they might suffer from cognitive dysfunction. The behavioral signs of cognitive dysfunction tend to become noticeable in cats that are 10 years of age or older. The signs include spatial disorientation, wandering away from home into unfamiliar territory, lack of interest in playing, excessive sleeping, altered cycles of sleep and wakefulness, long periods of staring blankly into space or at walls, indifference to food and water, urinating and defecating outside the litter box, and seemingly unprompted episodes of loud vocalizing, frequently in the middle of the night.
Nutrition can play a key role in managing these age-related conditions. That is why Hill’s nutritionists and veterinarians developed Prescription Diet® k/d®+Mobility for cats. This clinical nutrition not only supports your cat's kidney function but also helps to improve mobility and increase cognitive alertness and vitality.
In fact, the nutrition of k/d is clinically tested to improve & lengthen quality of life.
