The number of cats diagnosed with chronic renal disease increased nine-fold between 1980 and 2000 and now afflicts over 2 million felines, with 49% of cats over the age of 15 suffering from the disease.

Although some kidney disease, such as polycystic kidney disease (PKD) in Persians and Exotics and amyloidosis in Abyssinians, is known to be inherited, the cause of kidney disease in most cats is unknown. There are many ways that a cat's kidneys may be damaged over a life time. Chronic Kidney disease is seen most often in older feline patients.

Diagnosis is relatively straight forward but early signs may be subtle. Although chronic renal disease cannot be cured many cats with chronic renal disease are able to live a quality life for extended periods (often years). Early diagnosis, nutritional and drug therapy, and supportive at-home care provide the best prognosis.

The goal of therapy is to slow the progression of the disease and improve the clinical signs. The importance of at-home care cannot be overemphasized, and cat caretakers can do much to help their cats with failing kidneys.

The Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB) provides extensive information about kidney disease in cats, including a page on polycystic kidney disease. FAB also maintains a registry of cats diagnosed with PKD.

Two websites about feline chronic renal disease, the Feline CRF Information Center and Tanya's Feline CRF Information Centre, were created by cat caretakers who lost cats to the disease and now want to help other caretakers who are managing cats with chronic renal disease. (Tanyas Feline CRF Information Centre is also available in German.)