How to use the Cat Kidney Health Burden Factor Checklist
Chronic kidney disease in cats often shows up only after it has progressed, through changes such as increased drinking or gradual weight loss. This checklist counts how many of the changes you observed at home and past treatments currently apply, and shows how many days have passed since the last blood and urine test.
The important point is that this tool returns no probability, score or grade for developing kidney disease. No official model puts a number on that risk from age or breed, and the AAFP and AAHA feline life stage guidance asks owners to confirm health through regular screening instead. The result therefore stops at the count, the list of items and the days since the last test (as of October 2026).
Zero items checked does not mean early kidney disease is absent, and several items checked is not proof of kidney disease. Interpreting lab values and staging the disease are not supported here. This tool is for reference only and does not replace veterinary care. Contact your veterinarian right away if you notice symptoms or suspect a problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. This checklist does not produce a diagnosis, a probability or a grade. The count is simply an observation record to hand your veterinarian, and only blood and urine testing can confirm anything.
There is no official screening interval that applies to every cat. It depends on age and medical history, so if items apply, agree on a regular schedule with your veterinarian.
No official table grades kidney disease risk by breed, so a breed field was deliberately left out. The items cover only changes you can observe at home and past treatment.