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New Feline Kidney Disease Care Guidelines

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iCatCare Launches Brand-New Veterinary Guidelines for Feline Chronic Kidney Disease: What It Means for Cat Lovers

Back in 2021, Australian Cat Lover published a comprehensive two-part series on understanding Chronic Kidney Disease in cats (Part 1) and managing CKD through diet, fluid intake, and daily monitoring (Part 2). Those foundational guides walked cat owners through how the kidneys work, early diagnostic signs, prescription renal diets, and the crucial role caregivers play in monitoring their cat's quality of life.

Now, a decade after the previous guidelines were set in 2016, feline nephrology* has taken a major leap forward. International Cat Care (iCatCare) has announced the publication of the 2026 iCatCare consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of chronic kidney disease in cats.

Published for free in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (JFMS) on Friday, 4 September 2026, these new expert guidelines bring together the latest scientific advancements in feline kidney care, emphasising emotional wellbeing, team-based veterinary nursing, and practical tools for cat owners at home.

What's New in Feline CKD Management?

Grey tabby cat drinking fresh running water from a bathroom tap faucet
Encouraging hydration through running tap water or pet fountains supports kidney health.
(Photo: rfotostock / Pixabay)

Contributed to by global experts in veterinary nephrology*, the 2026 guidelines serve as a complete update to the 2016 ISFM standards (published by the former International Society of Feline Medicine, now the iCatCare Veterinary Society).

Over the past ten years, understanding of feline kidney health has expanded rapidly. The 2026 consensus guidelines bring clinicians, nurses, and owners up to speed with actionable, modern insights:

  • Managing Complex Complications: Updated, practical protocols on preventing condition progression and addressing common complications such as nausea, hypercalcaemia (elevated blood calcium), hypertension (high blood pressure), and proteinuria (protein loss in urine).
  • Anaesthesia and Analgesia: Brand-new guidance on safe pain management and anaesthetic protocols tailored specifically for cats living with compromised kidney function.
  • Comorbidity Management: Integrated strategies for caring for senior cats who may be managing CKD alongside other age-related conditions.
  • Mental Wellbeing and Environment: A major highlight of the 2026 guidelines is the emphasis on understanding and optimising mental wellbeing. Care plans now explicitly focus on reducing environmental stress—both at home and during veterinary clinic visits—offering cats choice, comfort, and Cat Friendly care.
Veterinarian wearing blue scrubs and gloves gently examining a grey cat on a consultation table
Cat Friendly handling and team-based clinical monitoring are essential for managing feline kidney disease.

Samantha Taylor, iCatCare Veterinary Specialist Consultant, Panel Chair, and Co-Author, says:
"We’re delighted to support the global veterinary profession with this much-needed update. In the ten years since the last guidelines were published, knowledge has increased rapidly in feline nephrology and our new guidelines bring together the latest expert information on diagnosis, preventing progression of the condition, and practical management of complications such as nausea, hypercalcaemia, hypertension and proteinuria. They also emphasise the importance of supporting those caring for cats with CKD, with practical advice on helping caregivers manage medication, diet changes and veterinary clinic appointments. There are also new sections in the guidelines on understanding and optimising mental wellbeing as an important part of caring for senior cats, including those with CKD."

Brand-New Companion Resources for Nurses and Owners

A central theme of the 2026 release is recognising that managing CKD is a team effort involving veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and cat owners. To support this collaborative approach, iCatCare has released two brand-new companion guides:

1. Nursing Guide: 'Nursing the cat with chronic kidney disease'

Created specifically for veterinary nurses and technicians, this comprehensive companion guide supports a team-based clinical approach. It highlights the pivotal role veterinary nurses play in client communication, guiding owners through ongoing health monitoring, and ensuring smooth continuity of care.

2. Cat Carer Guide: 'Managing the cat with chronic kidney disease: a guide for caregivers'

Designed specifically for cat owners, this free, accessible guide empowers caregivers to take an active, confident role in their cat’s treatment plan. It provides clear advice on:

✅ Recognising disease signs and subtle symptom shifts early.

✅ Practical strategies for managing medications and transitioning to renal diets at home.

✅ Helpful tracking resources to support ongoing health and wellbeing monitoring.

✅ Tips for communicating effectively with your clinical team.

Senior woman gently stroking a relaxed ginger cat sitting on her lap at home
Empowering cat carers with practical home-care strategies improves long-term quality of life for senior cats.

Access the Free Guidelines and Downloads

As part of iCatCare's mission as a global welfare charity, all guidelines and companion materials are 100% free and open access to ensure veterinarians, clinic teams, and cat owners worldwide can benefit from trusted, science-backed care.

🐾 Feline Health & Wellness Hub

Explore more expert guides on feline kidney care and daily wellbeing from Australian Cat Lover:

* What is Veterinary Nephrology?
Nephrology is the branch of medicine dedicated to the study, diagnosis, and treatment of the kidneys and urinary system. Veterinary nephrologists are specialists who focus specifically on how kidney diseases develop in animals and how best to manage renal health.

About International Cat Care (iCatCare)

International Cat Care (Registered Charity No. 1117342 in England & Wales) is a global cat welfare charity dedicated to improving care for cats and driving positive change worldwide through trusted, science-backed, and expert-led education, advice, and support. Through programmes like the iCatCare Veterinary Society and Cat Friendly Clinic accreditations, iCatCare works towards a world where every cat is understood and treated with compassion, respect, and high-quality care. To explore more resources, visit icatcare.org.

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