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    The BIRMAN HEALTH FOUNDATION

    © 2014 The Birman Health Foundation is a small charity registered with HMRC (Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs) in the UK and is entitled to claim gift aid on donations. What is a Gift Aid?  All rights reserved. Permission is granted to print portions of this website for personal and veterinary reference only. Disclaimer: All material on The Birman Health Foundation website is provided for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. Consult your cat's veterinarian regarding all aspects of your cat's health. The Birman Health Foundation provides links to other organizations as a community service and is not responsible for the information, services, or products they provide.

     

    Cats lose weight when they are in heart failure due to:

    • poor appetite,

    • increased energy requirements and

    • the production of inflammatory hormones.

     

    Old-fashioned sources may suggest protein restriction for cats with heart failure to prevent "metabolic stress" on the liver and kidneys. There is

    no evidence that protein restriction is needed for cats with heart failure. In fact, protein restriction can have a negative outcome because cats can lose valuable muscle mass, which can lead to decreased survival times. Unless severe kidney disease is present, a protein-restricted diet is not recommended for dietary management of heart failure. A high quality diet with at least 40-50% (cats) meat-based protein (on a dry matter basis) is recommended.

     

    Protein level in diet in heart failure