Can Cats Live Twice As Long?

[@SciShow]

Visit brilliant.org/scishow/ to get started learning STEM for free. The first 200 people will get 20% off their annual premium subscription and a 30-day free trial.

[@Jcewazhere]

@Sci Show: What's up with those printable or clonable kidneys and other organs for humans? Are any of those coming to human trials anytime soon, or did they never make it further than mice and pigs? "Bioprinting and Pig Chimeras: The Possible Future of Organ Transplants" and another where there was an ear on the back of a mouse... couldn't find the title.

[@alto7183]

Buen video, el siguiente paso gatos omnivoros.

[@Chitose_]

👁️👁️

[@x-raycat323]

have your cat x-rayed from time to time sometimes they swallow small pet toys

[@ellieminnow]

FIV! FIV! FIV! We can reduce the viral load in humans (after studying cats with FIV), yet, nothing came out of that for cats?

[@sunflower9611]

I had my baby Mittens for over 20 years. He was six weeks and I was 12 years old when we met. During my teens when I fought for my life; he and my family where the only reason I kept fighting. When he turned 16, he became Mr. Mittens instead of just Mittens. At 18 he had a dog sized cat cake. After losing my other cat, he decided 20 years was enough. I gave palliative care for a month and a final vet visit when it was time. He will always be a part of my heart. He will always be my baby.

[@Atylonisus]

Mittens lived for you and you lived for Mittens' love

[@hungryluma27]

Awww this is precious! We will always love our baby kitties

[@bahoonies]

Lovely story. My two cats, Gizmo (mother) and Scattie Pud (her son) both lived to be 20. I buried them in their favourite sun spot in my garden and had memorial stones cut for both. Gizmo crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 2019 and Scattie Pud followed her last year. Every night I place a little lantern on each grave. They're the last thing I see before I draw my bedroom curtains. That way I never feel they've entirely gone. I miss my two furries.

[@ChristianAristizabal-d1z]

What did you feed him? What factors do you think kept him healthy?

[@Bugg...0_o]

🫂 We lost our boy this year to it. I didn't think it would hit me nearly as hard as it did. He wasn't "my" cat, and I'm not so much a big cat person, but my daughter is, and she grew up with him. He watched over her crib as a baby. When she started crawling, it was mostly to try to catch him. He seemed to be trying to teach her, patiently waiting for her to get inches away before he would move over about 3 feet, and wait. He's how I found out cats can growl. My SO's uncle came by, and he didn't recognize him thru the window, and he wasn't having that near the baby. My daughter turned 10 this year. Luckily, he didn't suffer much. We didn't know what was wrong. He only seemed sick a few months. He had allergies, and we thought with him getting older, maybe we would need to get him on something for them, but it turns out it was just acting up because of this. He suddenly got worse and that's how we found out. I am grateful it happened as it did though, because he didn't have to suffer long and it didn't happen while he was out wandering so we had closure and wouldn't be looking for him or worried for him. I'm grateful I got the chance to say goodbye, and thank him for always watching over my daughter all of these years. I don't know if there is anything after this. All I know for sure is, if humans have souls, animals do too. Maybe a bit different based on levels of consciousness and intelligence, but you cannot convince me of one without the other. And if such a thing as a soul exists, I know he will continue to watch over her. It's been hard on her, but I have noticed she has a lot less sleep trouble than she did before. And, as a humble tailor once said, "I believe in coincidences, coincidences happen everyday, but I don't trust coincidences."

[@collin4555]

Imagine, cats having 18 lives

[@Max-ek4dn]

If they only had so few my guy wouldnt be here today. His behaviour towards me keeps him out of hell while vet visits disqualify him from entering heaven.

[@adre2194]

​@@Max-ek4dnthis goes hard did you make it up just now?

[@Max-ek4dn]

@@adre2194 the love in my heart for this creature as well as the scars of the poor vet can proove this isnt made up. Its simply written down

[@nashe5441]

14 bro

[@adre2194]

@@nashe5441 it's a cultural thing. Throughout North America at least cats have 9 lives.

[@malkulaas6380]

My cat turns 18 today 🎉 Edit: Thank you very much for all the congratulations. I'll give it to my cat because she only understands German! 🇩🇪 I'm happy to hear from all your old kitties and that you also share the stories of your cats who passed away (I hope you've been left with mostly positive memories) No matter how old your cat is or has become: every moment you can spend with it and remember it is precious! I'll hope my cat will turn at least 25 years ❤️ She is a tabby European Short Hair with beautiful green eyes and is loved by everyone she met. Even people who are scared of cats have overcome their fears to be able to be friends with her 😇 even if it's not typical for cats, she has as much love for everyone as a dog. But of course I remain number one! 😋

[@Bluefalcon6154]

Congratulations to you and your kitty

[@DrPonner]

Nice, I hope my cat lives 20 years. A good 20 years.

[@StormKidification]

Congrats, my kitty is 15 🤝

[@M1M1frances]

Happy birthday, my cat just died a few months ago she was 20

[@scrotusmaximus3043]

👍👍

[@kdk38]

We just had to put my 23 yr old cat down today because of kidney disease. He had lost half his weight and wouldn't eat the special food, or ultimately an food at all. I am heart broken.

[@aamirrazak3467]

I’m very sorry for your loss, my condolences

[@LindaB651]

How terrible for both of you! I'm so sorry!

[@wesleyson21]

I'm sorry for your loss. My 17 yr old cat was the same way near the end. Started having seizures too, which was terrifying. My wife took it especially hard and still takes his favorite pillow with her everywhere we go.

[@raeperonneau4941]

I am so sorry!

[@MissMTurner]

My deepest sympathy on the loss of your dear cat.

[@gigaherz_]

My cat died today, he was 16. His liver and pancreas started to fail and he slowly wasted away unable to eat. He lived well.

[@dorianr4770]

my heart goes out to you

[@painzockt]

Oh man i'm sorry for your loss.

[@gigaherz_]

Thanks.

[@wintersprite]

I’m sorry for your loss. I just went through it as well. My Clara was put to sleep last week and was close in age to your kitty (15.5). It’s heartbreaking. My therapist, upon hearing the news, recommended the book “PS., I Love You More Than Tuna”. It’s a bittersweet book.

[@K-Yune]

My condolences for your loss. I also lost my 15 year old childhood cat Rasckal (how I spelled it as a 5 year old) to a combination of tumor which was treated but the medication caused liver failure. Still now, nearly 11 years later, I miss him and only this last year finally got another cat.

[@CorinnaAtHome]

The first pet i ever lost was a cat and i lost her to kidney disease. I didn't know what to look for. And the monthly visits at the vets for her hyperthyroidism didnt catch it. It still hurts so much. I would have and still would spend obnoxious amounts of money to have more time with her.

[@rdizzy1]

Hyperthyroidism in cats actually masks kidney disease until it gets very bad, that is why.

[@carlthor91]

Our two cats, passed last year, from kidney disease. One February, and one in December, before Christmas. You echo our sentiments almost exactly.

[@kaitlynoddie9649]

same with my childhood cat, by the time we even noticed she was sick it was too late, because she was so good at hiding it

[@rdizzy1]

@@kaitlynoddie9649 Even if they weren't good at hiding it, hyperthyroid inherently hides it for them. It increases bloodflow to the kidneys and other organs, higher than a normal cat with normal thyroid function. This can make the kidneys appear to be functioning normally even though they should be functioning at a lower level in a normal cat, until it reaches a certain point and everything comes tumbling down. (Sorta like overclocking a processor in a computer, until it burns out)

[@LivvyBooks]

The same thing for my two babies

[@lirima-hirumi]

Felt important to mention this, but one of the major contributors to the research effort for curing CKD is Claire, a korean youtuber under the handle Claire Luvcat whose cat TT has been suffering from CKD for many months. She's been helping to develop supplements that so far look effective in lowering creatine levels in her cat and hopes to bring it to the market someday. She meets with the research team in Japan to show the data and has been helping with the funding aspect too. I hope people from here support her efforts and channel, since she posts both updates with the research and her eleven cats' antics.

[@Ghost_emoji]

Always be sure to follow your vets advice

[@gregweatherup9596]

While listening to this I was wondering if it was the same researcher that she’s working with in Japan for ㄸ (TT).

[@igor-kot]

I actually thought about Claire and her TT (E|E|) when saw this video's thumbnail.

[@lirima-hirumi]

@@gregweatherup9596 It is! She mentions the professor in her videos

[@K-Yune]

Thank you for posting this. I actually live in Korea and have a cat here. I will have to find her youtube. Thanks to Japan being #1 for cats as the top pet I get a lot of our supplies from Japan so it makes sense that they would be joining in this research.

[@FrozEnbyWolf150]

My first cat lived to 20. She was born with only one kidney, and it wasn't kidney disease, but heart disease that came with old age. She was a trooper.

[@covishen]

Even if it doesn't double the lifespan, I would be ecstatic for 2+

[@milesmartin9624]

I could see ethical issues with making cats in general live to 30+ (will their quality of life be good for all of those additional years or will other age-related issues make them suffer?) but eliminating the possibility of losing your cat at only 12-13 years old because their kidney disease got bad early would be great.

[@georget.5048]

If the cat is suffering and nothing can be done, then it would be put down like today. no difference made@@milesmartin9624

[@briannaball5164]

@@milesmartin9624fair, but hopefully it would also give more time to study what other things might be commonly wrong at this age, or see what co-morbidities to the kidneys, might decrease.

[@lyndsaybrown8471]

Same

[@WatchYouTube-lc7qt]

That's probably what the claim actually means. Cats naturally live about 20 years, but SO MANY die before 13, often due to kidney disease. So it's likely the claim isn't "your cat can live to 40" and more "your cat will likely reach their actual natural lifespan" @@milesmartin9624

[@heatherkaye8653]

Kidney disease is such an awful way for a kitty to die. It can make them wiggly on their legs until they can't walk at all. 😢

[@Sniperboy5551]

Probably still better than a brain tumor, that was an ugly thing to see

[@raynaemurray]

My senior had a similar experience. They called it muscle wasting. The blood was leaching water from the muscles. It's hard to watch.

[@wintersprite]

The high blood pressure can cause them to go blind too, from the retinas detaching. That happened the day before we put my Clara to sleep. She seemed so scared and confused. She wasn’t much of a lap cat but actually stayed when I put her on my lap because she knew I was safe and would protect her.

[@CristalianaIvor]

my cat even had what looked like seizures from the toxicity in her blood 😭

[@winterlif]

happened to my poor Jimmy. He was deeply loved.

[@philippalermo9181]

The part about crowdfunding research caught my attention. My daughter has the ultra rare CLN1 version of Batten Disease and, like the research mentioned in this video, COVID-19 threw a huge wrench in the progress toward clinical trials. When she was diagnosed in 2019, we were told first-ever clinical trials were just months away. And it's now 2024 and the most promising programs have been shelved or "paused" due to investor disinterest and families are left to try and secure funding themselves. If there's anything that was done here that might somehow be applied to Batten Disease funding, I'm all ears!

[@ShiitaKitsune64]

That's awful, your daughter shouldn't suffer needlessly because greedy rich people don't find Batten Disease a profitable investment anymore. Is there a specific organization that is helping to fund research for this disease?

[@Elizabeth-n3v2u]

I'm so sorry your daughter was born into this end-stage-capitalism dumpster-fire we call a Healthcare system. She deserves better. We all do.

[@ILLUMINATED-1]

sickens me how obvious they’re being about manipulating us to take money from us rather than doing their jobs

[@badpiggies988]

This could well be, cats and humans have strikingly similar internal physiologies (despite being more genetically distant from our species than mice), to the point that vets have to give them shots so they don’t get the flu from us and Scottish Folds are used as a model to study the human version of the arthritis we have so cruelly designed that breed to have. Especially since they’re already testing this with rodents, which are one of the closest mammal groups to primates.

[@haleypratt7934]

CKD is the bane of my cat-loving existence. Any progress in treatment options would be amazing!

[@MrPickelNickel]

CKD in humans has similar causes. Cats being obligate carnivores which ingest ammonium rich meat and humans being oninivores who sometimes overindulge in meat and other ammonium containing foods. The key is to increase bicarbonate. You can do this by just taking baking soda but it needs to be done after every high carb or high protein meal. So we need a way to keep bicarbonate levels up on a high protein diet which is a big task and might involve incorporating it into the food somehow?

[@carlrodalegrado4104]

​@@MrPickelNickelwill there be side effects on having high bicarbonate levels?

[@MrPickelNickel]

@carlrodalegrado4104 of course you can always take too much of anything there is an ideal range for bicarbonate and you should find a means of testing from a Healthcare professional

[@wintersprite]

Hyperthyroidism is awful too and can sometimes hide CKD symptoms.

[@hanarielgodlike9283]

I just adopted a cat, 2 mouths ago... We got attached so fast that I cry on the mere thought of loosing her.

[@rogue3398]

I'm slowly losing my kitty to kidney disease. She's 19 and on that prescription diet. We figure she has two years left at most. I would do anything to heal her. I would give her years from my own life if I could.

[@alexissey4023]

My mom’s cat got diagnosed with that too. We got him on a lactated ringer solution, I give it to him subcutaneously. His dad, my cat, had it as well and he lived for another year because of it.

[@subhayanchatterjee8145]

Can Bexagliflozin help?

[@nineteenfortyeight]

Azodyl, and sunQ water ❤

[@Wynadorn]

All hail our immortal cat overlords

[@muramasa870]

Next we gonna make them very intelligent species with IQ of 145 🙏🙏🙏🙏🧎🧎🧎🧎

[@y0nd3r]

Rejected. All hail our python pets as overlords. No worries. She just likes hanging out in your yard. She loves the smell of outdoor cats.

[@incineroar9933]

My lovebird also purrs like a cat while we cuddle. It isn't as audible, but I can feel her tiny little body rumble and it is adorable

[@safaiaryu12]

This is exciting! I luckily have avoided CKD with my two fur babies, but I'm sure some of my childhood cats may have suffered from this, since we had a LOT. They kept adopting us, lol! We took good care of all of them, but statistically, some of them may have had kidney disease... and when I was young, we didn't know how important it was for cats to eat wet food to get enough water in their diet. I would kill to have more time with my cats. My girl, Zoey, is about to turn 15 and her health has suddenly and dramatically declined. It really breaks my heart because I'm so used to cats making it to 17+. She came to me at a really hard time in my life and I'm so grateful to her, and I've tried to show her that every day. The one consolation is knowing that she likely would not have lived this long without me. I found her on a country road in the middle of nowhere, during the 100+ degree Texas July heat... again, I'm grateful we were able to find each other. But I'm not ready to let her go yet. 😢

[@rudebega1494]

Korean cat KZbinr Claire Luvcat has been involved with I believe funding and helping spread the news of the potential of the studies in Korea (it also seems like her cat TT might be being considered for one of the early trials of the AIM drug). She has a few videos on her channel meeting the researchers and talking to them about their results and goals, it’s interesting to watch and get to know the folks who are actively working on this issue!

[@MrPolandball]

How about working on the issue in stopping Nestle from selling carcinogenic pet food?

[@y0nd3r]

@@MrPolandball How about working on the issue of cats, who are a non-natural, non-native species, killing the song birds and frogs that we also love? OH, I get it, if their deaths were a step removed from you actually doing it with your own hands, then it's not animal abuse. Are pit bull owners who's pet kills the neighbor responsible for manslaughter?

[@AKindOfDog]

My childhood cat had hyperthyroidism, and was going into kidney failure. She was an indoor outdoor cat, as we lived extremely rural and my mother had gotten her to be a mouser. And ahe was an EXCELLENT mouser. She was very healthy until she stopped going outside around 16/17, and therefore was no longer eating all that raw food; we didn't know that they don't get enough water in their day to day life, and that wet food was extremely important for their nutrient and water intake. She ended up being PTS at 19, after around a year, year and a half, of being on medication. She lived to a good age, but her quality of life got so, so bad near the end. It's been 6, nearly 7 years since then, and I still miss her so much. I always wonder if she would have lived longer, or if her end would have been easier on her, if we had known more. I now have my own cat, and I make sure to feed her wet as well as dry food. I love her so much. Being able to have her happy and healthy, for that length or longer, would make me so happy.

[@arnor398]

wet food only is so much healthier. unless you cant afford feeding only wet, theres no good reason to use mixed diet. even if your cats water intake is ok, dry food is still highly processed. the proteins arent as digestible as in low processed food, which is bad for kidneys. they also often contain legumes. its a rare ingredient in wet foods, and another thing bad for cat kidneys since they are quite bad at digesting plant proteins. plus something not realted to kidneys, but still important for health - dry food almost always has more carbs. even the expensive, fancy ones often have over 20%, which is really high for an exclusively carnivore animal.

[@Maggie-zr2ow]

If you’re open to more information, check out what vet Lisa Pierson says. And also see the Tanya Comprehensive Guide to Feline CKD. In a nutshell, only feed wet food and get a water fountain and fill it with fresh cold water. They both provide a chart of wet foods with the important things to consider. Stay away from food with seafood and high carbs. We ended up getting Weruva Fowl Ball as their main wet food, and we add the Weruva WX Phos Focused Chicken in Gravy as a topper because they love the taste and it can’t be the main meal as it’s a supplement. We are currently still transitioning them from their dry food to all wet. It takes time and patience.

[@PatriciaDonovan-g9m]

I had two cats who lived to be 23 and 24. I wish they were still here.

[@brittei]

What did you feed them??

[@SatanLiterally]

​@@brittei food

[@Novaruu]

what type of food?

[@redbarchetta8782]

I just lost my beautiful girl last month after almost 14 years to kidney disease. It tore our family up and we tried everything to save her, but alas her kidneys were too far gone.

[@hellowill]

Same here, 14 and kidney failure 😢. Knew him half my life. He was my exam study buddy during highschool and University when no one else was home.

[@huldu]

I've had cats almost my entire life and every time one of those fluffy things passes on, which is inevitable, it really can become quite emotional. I thought as I was getting older it would be less of a problem but it's quite the opposite. I'm sure it's the same with dog owners, you create these special bonds with certain animals and you become very close. I remember every single cat I've ever had, their names(obviously), all the good/bad things etc. I'm going to sound like a terrible person but in a way the bond is stronger than I've ever had to friends. I do prefer male cats at the end of the day since they live longer, from my experience, than female cats. I've had really bad experiences with female cats and breast cancer which seems to appear around the age of 10-12. The longest living male cat I've had was 21! which was insane, I really miss that bugger.

[@cg6348]

It doesn't sound terrible. Cats don't wreck your car, borrow money they never pay back or anything else humans do. I prefer cats to people too in many ways.

[@Ghost_emoji]

​@@cg6348same

[@AxoiTanner]

About breast cancer in female cats - risk can be lowered to almost 0 by spraying them before first heat, between 3rd and 4th months of their life.

[@emilylouise9705]

This news has absolutely made my day. My family lost our beloved kitty when she was 10 years old from kidney failure. We were completely devastated - just heartbroken. It's been over ten years now and I still miss her. She was the most wonderful girl, and truly my best friend through some awful times when I was a teen. What I wouldn't give to have had even a couple more years with her.

[@DLN19]

My senior kitty was just diagnosed with early stage ckd. Luckily hes never been a picky eater and has happily accepted his new prescription diet. I would love to see this disease cured so he doesn't have to suffer through this disease. He has been with me for 16 years and every day with him is precious. I would love to give him a longer and the best quality of life i possibly can. He deserves it for being the best kitty ever.

[@not_David]

I lost my cat a couple of years ago to kidney disease. She was 20 and had really good quality of life even to the very end which I am glad for, but what I wouldnt give to spend more time with her.

[@Novaruu]

what were you feeding her?

[@bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb-]

I've had so many cats growing up who would go away to die, and most likely from kidney disease since a lot of them were males and males tend to die from too much filler in their processed cat food, especially from Urinary Tract Infection blockages since males have shorter tracts and less margin of error between uncomfortable excretions and death when it comes down to UTI blockages. I had a female cat growing up who would sit in the yard for way too long and I immediately took her to the vet and the veterinarian gave me a rundown on UTIs and cats that I have never forgotten and have told everyone who was willing to listen. UTIs are no joke when it comes to male cats and once I learned that fact, I also learned that UTI science diet or other similar specialty foods kept my cats alive longer on top of keeping them inside since there are so many dangers for cats outdoors the worst of all being animal predators and abusive and/or predatory humans.

[@christabelle__]

To help prevent UTIs...just feed less kibble, and more wet food! It's these diets of pure kibble that cause those blockages - and Science Diet isn't what they say they are. Go with freeze-dried raw food you can grind up, and put water in it, or wet food. Or both! JAckson Galaxy has a great video series on what food are good for cats, and dry kibble is literally a killer.

[@Squirrelsquid]

@@christabelle__ It is true that kibble is not good. Sadly, one of our cats does not like wet food. So he eats kibble. He does like yogurt and raw beef though, so he gets some of that daily too, to at least get a bit of moisture in there.

[@bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb-]

@@christabelle__ My cats lived on science diet for a decade and a half and had no problems until they passed of old age. If you have problems, add some water to the dry kibble, we did and they loved it even more, because gravy. Not everyone can afford more than a bag of dry food when life throws you a curveball.

[@DrPonner]

I wonder if the motorized water fountains actually help motivate cats to drink water more.

[@PyroCeras]

​@@DrPonner For my two it certainly helps! Can't motivate them to drink still water, but I regularly catch them drinking from the fountain.

[@finnhermitage882]

Wow this is an eerily timed video from you guys, after I just lost my sweet old CKD cat on 2nd February. Isla was 13 and already a kidney cat when I adopted her, but I said at the time even if we only get 2 good years together I'll be happy, I was lucky because we had 6 wonderful years together. Of course I wish they could all live forever. I don't know if this is true but I think giving her only filtered and boiled water, to reduce hard limescale (I live in a super hard water area) really helped improve her quality and length of life with me. Someone suggested it to me when she first came home so I quickly got a filter, prepared the water and boiled it and then kept it in the fridge until it was time to refresh her water bowl. Of course she only had the special kidney food diet also. Just want to say it's great to see you, Hank, looking so bounced-back and with what look like some lovely chemo curls in your locks! Your hair looks darker too, mine has also grown back about 3 shades darker after my chemo. I wonder if we'll ever have enough info for a SciShow on exactly why that happens someday!

[@phishENchimps]

Keeping your cats litter box extra clean is a big help. For elderly cats, double the number of boxes, or add an extra one and keep them CLEAN. kitties dip down and can come into contact. a clean box will help keep the kitty happy and healthy.

[@Colt45hatchback]

I wish mine would use it like that, if it doesnt have her crap in there already, she doesnt use it and instead uses the veggie garden 😑 have to maintain a balance of old and new litter, its annoying haha

[@y0nd3r]

@@Colt45hatchback You mean the neighbor' vegetable garden. You aren't growing vegetables or you would know that uncomposted poop is not fertilizer and will kill your plants because it's too strong.

[@Colt45hatchback]

@@y0nd3r i mean my wifes garden. Ive no idea about plants.

[@Colt45hatchback]

@@y0nd3r also, i think you missed the point of what i was saying. The cat goes into the garden to crap against my wishes. I dont want it to go in there, but its where she goes if her litter tray is either too clean or dirty.

[@OrigenalDarkMew]

I had a cat that almont made it to 22. I had him since I was a toddler. Any time I was home, he would spend every second that wasn't eating or using the litter box right by my side. In his last years he developed a tumor in his jaw. We could have operated but the vet insisted that, because of his age, it was too risky and he probably wouldn't have survived. He ended up living a few more years before his body gave out and he died as he lived, right by my side, but in my mother's arms. I learned later tht cats usually don't live nearly that long. Im greatful for the time we had togeather. I miss you Mojo, and I hope to see you again when my time comes, as well as your brothers. Love you guys.

[@elainebelzDetroit]

I am so glad to see this! I'd heard about the story from someone who described it as a "vaccine," which of course makes no sense for treating kidney disease. But I imagine if we remove kidney disease, cats will succumb to other age-related problems, like arthritis, pancreatitis, diabetes, heart issues, cancers, etc. Those can strike younger cats, of course, and can often be managed, but when they start to gang up on your cat as s/he ages, it's hard to manage & hard to let them suffer. The cat we had growing up lived to be 19, & she was still in great shape - but being a white cat who would go outdoors (we lived in rural Michigan, & it was the 70s & 80s, & my family's roots were in farming, so the idea of keeping a cat indoors full-time just wasn't there), she wound up getting skin cancer on one ear then the other & although my parents had the first ear amputated (I was away at college by then), it metastasized. I've seen kitty sunblock more recently, btw - if your cat has light fur & goes outside, it's not a bad idea! Anyway, my Taffeta of blessed memory lived to be 16. She developed diabetes when she was around 12, IIRC, & while I was able to reverse it with a small dose of insulin plus a change in diet, she then got pancreatitis and finally, of course, kidney disease. She was my one & only, since I'm allergic - but I got her under very special circumstances that involved opening a door. But also being mugged 6 or so months prior. Long story, & my comment is long enough already!

[@milesmartin9624]

I'm worried for my calico girl Poppyseed (white face/head but not white ears, mostly white body - still the only cat I've had over 75% white fur). She loves the idea of going outside and will go outside once summer comes and she's learned to accept a harness.

[@elainebelzDetroit]

@@milesmartin9624 Probably she's mostly in any danger (if any) where her fur is thinner, like on her face/head. See if you can find a pet sunscreen, maybe, & put it where you can see skin? If you're just taking her out occasionally on a harness, it may not be enough to put her at serious risk. Our cat was in & out every day year 'round. (She did have a litter box inside; that wasn't why.) We kids were always amused how when she went out in winter, her white fur looked yellow against the snow.

[@SarahDale111]

The illnesses you listed are not age-related problems, they are diet related. Plants are trying to kill us. Cats should not eat plant matter. Neither should we.

[@claireavril7796]

My 4 1/2 year old kitty just got diagnosed with early stage CKD. Sobbed for a whole day

[@gingerlee726]

Omg so young! I'm so sorry

[@JediBunny]

Oh dear, I’m so sorry :(

[@samyb2834]

I'm sorry Claire

[@Maggie-zr2ow]

We have the same situation. Ours is 5-1/2 years old. What feeding protocol are you doing?

[@anyascelticcreations]

My senior kitty, Amour, is 16 1/2. I tell him that I expect him to get to be at least 21. Though, if he could get to be 33 I would be absolutely thrilled!!! ❤❤❤

[@xxAryAryxx]

My cat died at 20 because of kidney disease, it was diagnosed when she was around 13, she went on living a normal life for long enough after the diagnosis which is such a blessing, but in the end she died after some days of suffering, she could barely stand on her legs but even so she was determined to go to the litter herself till the very end, even though I had to help her stand while she was at it. Her loss devasted me, she had been with me for my entire life since she was older than me by a couple years. It has been over 10 years but thinking about it still makes me sad ... I have adopted again, and the thought of inevitably losing them too in the future haunts me. It's such a shame they cannot live as much as we do, when they'd deserve to live so much longer. I wish for them to live a long and healthy life for as long as possible, I truly love them with my whole heart ♥

[@natrosenquist]

As soon as I hear Hank's voice my shoulders relax, my jaw unclenches and I am just in auditory bliss.

[@YoshMaster]

My 18 year old cat has been a bit sick for 3 years now (some weird problem with him being unable to absorb 100% of the food nutrients, he has to get verrrry high quality food and a bit more than most cats would) yet he still has a great life and is still going on!! I pray for another few years!!

[@Cyrilcynder1]

Does he have deep copper eyes? Could be a liver shunt. Typically, liver shunts are a congenital issue, but cats later in life can also develop liver shunts as well. The easiest way to see if this is the case is if your cat has or suddenly developed deep copper eyes. It's something not many vets know about, especially if you live in a small town. Something that's not often seen as the kittens born with liver shunts often die before anyone ever takes them into the vet. Unfortunately, with a liver shunt there isn't much that can be done, since they aren't able to fully absorb food. They do have special food to help tho.

[@YoshMaster]

@@Cyrilcynder1 Ohh I went ahead and read about this and I don’t think that’s what he has because his eyes are still green and most of the symptoms of liver shunt other than his loss of weight isn’t present. Thanks for the info though, I appreciate your help 🙂 to add more info on what he has, my vet said he had inflammation in his liver but they can’t tell what is is exactly unless we do extensive research. She said it could be cancer. But since he’s been living pretty well the last 3 years (other than a loss of weight at first, which has been stabilized with the extra wet food) we decided not to continue searching since it’s 1000$+ exams..

[@moigoi4957]

My Little Circe died from kidney failure about four months ago. I had her for almost 19 years. She was my little darling and I hope this research produces a treatment that is effective and cheap!

[@Star_sweeper]

As someone who worked in cat rescue, and who lost her heart cat to CKD, I’m following this super closely!

[@elisabethchan6292]

If anyone is interested, Claire Luvcat (you may know her as the owner of the Kittisaurus channel) on KZbin has documented her journey on working with the researchers in University of Tokyo on developing treatment for feline kidney disease in one of her cats. (As a regular viewer of her channel, I already knew what it’s going to be about the moment I saw the title of this video😂)

[@StrikerX-]

Your hair looks so cool right now! Happy thoughts for your continued recovery

[@thekyrianne]

My childhood cat dealt with stage 4 kidney disease for YEARS before she finally gave up the goat. It was awful to see her decline so badly, and knowing she stuck around so long because of how much she loved my mom. I’m really excited to see where this research goes!!

[@aedsell]

gave up the ghost.

[@sleepygoth13]

My very first kitty cat passed away at 17 due to kidney disease. I was only 19 when she died, so I couldn't remember a life without her. RIP Penny 💔

[@PaulSteMarie]

Subcu fluids. My first cat kept going for over seven years on subcu fluids. Once you get used to the process, it is actually a nice bit of daily quality time with your cat.

[@mostlyvoid.partiallystars]

For the cats that will tolerate it and the parents that can afford it this is 100% accurate. The fluids help a ton.

[@dorianr4770]

we did a 2 person process to give our old Joey subq fluids. He didn't like the process, we got through it. But it definitely extended his quality of life, I feel, and he kept trooping on for some time on subq fluids, like you said.

[@PaulSteMarie]

@@dorianr4770 I found that after a few months, my boy relaxed and appreciated the cuddle time. You can also get the fluids by the case online for substantial savings. I was going through a bag every three days for years. I was really dubious at first and thought I'd never be able to manage it myself, but things worked out.

[@prunabluepepper]

Absolutely not. It feels terrible for the animal. As humans we should not be so selfish to impose that on other beings.

[@mostlyvoid.partiallystars]

@@prunabluepepper some pets are bothered by it, some aren’t. It’s up to their pet parents to decide if they may be a good candidate. I did it for four years with my Maine coon because she didn’t give a crap. I won’t with my cerebellar hypoplasiac cat because we’d both be miserable and bloody. It helps comfort level to have a heating pad, a comfy spot and treats after. My neighbors cat would voluntarily jump on the chair and sit still for ten minutes for his fluids to get a tasty food packet Not all pets are candidates. Not all people are. But fluids can help some who are tolerant and willing.

[@NicoandIndy]

I love my cat, she's about 7 or 8 now and she's the best kitty that could ever destroy puzzles, love her deeply. and if this means people can get even a few more weeks with their cat with minimal pain that is incredible. I think this could be a massive step in improving health for our beloved clawed loaves.

[@TheCatWitch63]

There’s this Korean KZbinr who, following Dr. Miyazaki’s research, has managed to create a supplement that reverts kidney failure. She is expected to commercially launch it this year, in association with a major company. Initially, they will only be available in Korea, but she hopes to expand gradually to other markets. She has become an unofficial member of Dr. Miyazaki’s team.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

Post the channel name if you can :)

[@ScienceApplied]

​@@PiDsPagePrototypesThat would be Claire Luvcat I believe!

[@catcat9582]

Could you pls share the name?

[@jamesleatherwood5125]

Oh you almost had me there! 4:29 that really had the feel like it was the start of one of those famous sci show transitions between the segments back in the days of the two part episodes. You guys have really evolved , huh? SCISHOW, SCI-EVOLLLLLLLVE, TOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[@alannabanana6255]

I really wish we could extend their lives. Our girl passed away today from kidney failure. She was one week to the day shy of her 17th birthday. She also passed away four years to the day of my grandma's passing, her original owner. I miss her dearly already. She was such a sweetheart. We chose home euthanasia, which I would highly recommend to those able to choose this option. Rest in Peace, Molly. Love you forever.

[@keithbenson2407]

She really touched our hearts in a very special way. ❤️

[@MissBlueEyeliner]

I took on a cat with renal insufficiency a few months ago. He’s only around 2 but was incredibly malnourished. This gives me so much hope that he might get to have a few extra years, he still has massive kitten energy.

[@marysmith2060]

KZbinr Claire Luvcat has been working with a researcher in Japan, Dr. Toru Miyazaki. They are working to bring a CKD treatment to market in 2025.

[@balotellitubbies5997]

Hopefully it helps TT

[@caspenbee]

This is incredible!! I love that it was partially crowdfunded. It's beautiful that our love of cats is also helping our own health through this research. If the claim is a little bit true, it would be possible for kids now to still have their childhood cats when they turn 30. How wonderful would that be. I sure miss mine. 🐈‍⬛

[@sandeesandwich2180]

This is wonderful and yet bittersweet news, as it is too late for my much missed Bernie Williams. Miss that big moosh every day.

[@SkellaBella1396]

My 16 year old boy has CKD and recently diagnosed with hyperthyroidism too, and I’ve spent so much on vet visits and medicines and special foods. I don’t regret a single cent. I love that so many can agree that keeping our kitty friends happy and healthy for as close to forever as possible is worthwhile ❤

[@kathryncryts5537]

This video gives me a lot of hope. It feels ironic that it was posted the day I buried my childhood cat who died last night. If only they could live forever 💔

[@DML1806]

I gave my cat Astro’s Oil, from Canada, which is a Molecularly distilled pharmaceutical grade fish oil, and she lived another 4.5 years to age 19, after being diagnosed with CKF. My vet was absolutely amazed as the markers went down on her blood tests. She told me to keep doing what I was doing. It’s not a cure but it appears to slow down progression. It’s a shame this isn’t part of treatment protocol, at least it’s not here in the UK. I saw a KZbin video yesterday that believes kibble is a reason for the high numbers of cats with CKF due to high carbohydrate content as it’s not part of their natural diet. I’m not an expert - just a cat owner - thought it was interesting as I’ve never heard this before.

[@johnranger6177]

Ahh you got the post chemo curls. Nice you need to vid on why. I grew quite the jewfro and it disappeared after I shaved it, growing back straight.

[@forestxander]

My (now adult)daughter's cat is 15. We adopted her off the street 14 years ago. She's still here with me, even though my daughter moved out on her own years ago. I love that cat.

[@Sheb24]

My family's pet cat reached 17 years of age. She was struggling with kidney issues, and had gone blind half a year earlier. She was on kidney medicine when suddenly she stopped eating and drinking. My family were away on a trip, so I had to bring her to the vet, where it was discovered her gums had started rotting, giving her horrible pain. I made the decision to put her down on the spot, to ease her suffering. Still the hardest thing I've done in my life, I was crying like a baby. RIP to Matilde, sweet baby girl

[@emma8nk24]

My childhood cat is 16 years old and has been living with diagnosed CKD for about 4 years. He's taken really well to his dietary changes, but of course, that doesn't prevent, only delays. I'm grateful to have had this much time with him already, but I do sincerely hope that these treatments become publicly available soon.. this disease has changed him physically and mentally and I miss the playful, energetic kitty he once was

[@karenrasmussen1505]

Ive had five cats in life, all lived to 19-23 years old. In the end all ended up being put down because of kidney failure 🙁.

[@codycrossman]

Seeing you looking healthy, spry as ever and talking about our cat's health is such a lovely thing to witness today. We love you, Hank!

[@abigailsmith6000]

My old boy had CKD along with other health issues in his old age. Would be great if I didn't have to worry about it with my current kitty

[@Nemorivarex]

i lost 3 cats to CKD. they only stayed with me around 9 to 10 years, and their horrible suffering with this disease left me with a huge trauma. so this is an exciting news! i would donate for this research so that i don't have to watch another cat die in pain again.

[@fumfering]

My tortie lived to 24, and had significant kidney failure starting when she was about 14, plus thyroid disease and high blood pressure. She stayed on her grain free high protein diet for the rest of her life, and was a happy active cat even after she needed sub cutaneous fluids and meds starting around 17. Eventually she was just so old and creaky that her quality of life really tanked and I had to let her go. What I wonder is why some kidney disease will kill a cat within months of diagnosis, while lucky cats like mine live good lives for decades with simple supportive care.

[@katekelley1533]

Can you share what specifically she was eating? All the recommendations seem to be for low protein foods for kidney cats

[@juliac3933]

@@katekelley1533there’s some research indicating phosphorus rather than protein is the issue esp in early stages.and the most important thing with kidney cats is keeping them eating even if it not ideal. wet food is great bc it keeps them hydrated.

[@CrazzyCowcat]

Before this becomes a thing I highly recommend senior cats to have a yearly blood examination! Kidney disease can sometimes be detected before symptoms manifest. Early treatment will improve quality and longevity of life. Other common diseases in cats can also be detected like hyperthyroidism and diabetes.

[@tjtweedy3189]

I love your choice of names, my buddy is named Cheddar he turned 19 last month.

[@ApricotStone]

Cat KZbinr Claire Luvcat has been contributing a lot to Feline Chronic Disease research for her own kitty TT! She’s incredible!

[@liss-sanedrac]

I love that research and experiments are going towards prolonging the life of cats. They are so special to us.

[@spacecatboy2962]

I have given cases of lactated ringer fluid to my cats to help them not get this or help them after they get it. I use a 30cc syringe and a 1 inch 20 gauge needle over the shoulders under the hide

[@mildlymarvelous]

My family lost our sweet Geordi to CKD at the early age of 14. He ate dry processed food for most of his life, which we clearly didn’t know could contribute to chronic kidney issues, until being put on a special kidney diet. Thankfully our young adult Galena eats primarily wet food, so I hope she will stay with us for many years to come.

[@TheSparkleina]

oh! this is the research that claireluvcat here on youtube has been documenting with her cat TT! shes working directly with the team in Japan, TT seems to be doing well too!

[@SweaterGodHavina]

Thank you for staying with us, Hank… I’m overjoyed every time you’re talking at me 😊

[@tsukinokitsune]

I need my cat to live to 30 because if he passes away I'm gonna jump

[@diogoandre756]

:( im sorry

[@jamieism]

My cat is a hair shy of 12 and suffering from a horrible bacterial infection and when she passes away I’m going to die inside 😭

[@cjboyo]

Get a second cat. I’m serious. It’s good for your first cat and gives you two reasons to hang around.

[@PopeGoliath]

... Into your car and head down to the local animal shelter!

[@johnpaul5447]

@@PopeGoliathyeah cause you just pick another replacement up when your closest pet for most of your life just dies like it’s nothing

[@trishapellis]

First things first: Love the hair, Hank! My first cat ran away. Second one reached 16 with asthma and spent her life taking corticosteroids, in the end it was the medicine that did her in. My mom's cat reached about 18 and then... kidney failure. Thing is, these cats are still old boys and old ladies by the time this happens. Taking away the kidney problems doesn't make your cat suddenly young again to live another 18 years. It just causes 'kidney disease' to drop down on the list of most prevalent causes of death for cats, allowing something like cancer or just plain old age to take its place.

[@imadork123]

This is what TT is doing! If you're familiar with Claire Luvcat, formerly known as Cream Heroes!

[@swingtag1041]

My cat was diagnosed stage 4 CKD when she was 14. I started treating her with subcutaneous fluids and she lived till 21 and a half years of age. She was running and playing until 3 months before her death. CKD can be controlled with hydration.

[@_ruddegar]

My friend had this outdoor cat in the suburbs of southern Ontario, where it lived for 18 years. The cat was then relocated to a cabin in remote Northern Ontario, where it was allowed to continue its outdoor habits. Well sure enough the cat disappeared one day, a day turned into a month, and a month into 3 years, when it was recovered 20 KM south by a student who was studying foxes in the area. The cat lived another 2 years in capativity, dieing at 23 years old. I like to picture the cat like Liam Neeson in the Movie " The Grey" , where hes trying to get out of a forest in winter, while the whole time being stalked by wolves.

[@oberonpanopticon]

In cases like that where an animal goes missing then is found years later, I always wonder how they know it’s the same animal and not just a similar looking one. Did it just have a collar that managed to stay on for 3 years?

[@Sotanaht01]

@@oberonpanopticon Could be a microchip

[@_ruddegar]

@oberonpanopticon it had some pretty unique characteristics. Spine was misshapen and it had a mole inside its ear. T

[@bennyfactor]

This cat, hunting in the Ontario forest: "I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for birdseed, I can tell you I don't have any. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career, skills that make me a nightmare for feathered friends like you."

[@Randy_Racc00n]

My childhood cat dies at the age of 14, when I was 10, it was cancer and I hope he's doing well. My new cats are currently 5 years old and I love them more then I love myself (I'm extremely vain btw)

[@SkaiCyan]

My cat just died late last month at a hearty ~25 years old. I wish I could have had him a little longer. I still come home expecting to see him.

[@SkaiCyan]

@GG-wc3nx Thank you. 💙 Yeah, it really does. He's been part of my life longer than most people I know. Through three different moves. It's almost surreal.

[@emmett4733]

One of my cats had CKD. It was awful. I was fortunate enough to be able to give Charlie several different medical treatments that kept him going- with a good quality of life- for a while. But nothing lasts forever; we said goodbye last year. I was in my mid teens when I adopted him as a tiny kitten, and I’m turning 30 this Saturday. I had him for my entire adult life, and yet it wasn’t nearly enough time. I would have done anything to give him more. I would have traded away all of my money, years off of my own lifespan, both of my kidneys… anything. Charlie was a cat but he was also my son and my best friend, and I miss him so much. I really hope science can lift the curse of this awful disease and save those who are still fighting.

[@fdavidmiller2]

My cat turns 18 March 2nd. I would love to have him for another 18.

[@Splizacular]

My old boy is going down this road, but he's still comfy and happy. Had cats all my life and many of them died from kidney failure. More than once we've given the treatment of fluids under the pelt at home which is always hard. Our vet has given amazing support and advice. Best part of this was hearing all the cat lovers funding the research to keep our fluffy sassy pals around longer! Well done 👏 ✔️ 👍

[@studioMYTH]

Hank your hair looks awesome!

[@s.murphy8336]

CKD has claimed all but 1 of the cats I've lost in my life. They all lived long healthy lives, 13, 15, and 16 years old respectively. The one who lived the longest, he made it until December of 2022 at 19 1/2 years old, he ended up with cancer and declined very suddenly. That one broke my heart the most because he was my little shadow and with seemingly no warning he was gone, for the first time ever I did not have a cat at home. I didn't think I would get another cat, but a friend found 2 little few-week-old kittens hiding in her garage on what would have been my cat's 20th birthday, it was like a sign, I now have 2 little shadows following me around.

[@Martin-gf1hh]

Guaranteed this research helps humanity as a what what a wonderful time to be alive

[@bluehorizons8913]

My kitties lived to 18 and 19. Sadly when my 19 year old Nikki girl passed her brother Willy decided he wanted to go to. He just got so depressed. In their last years of life it wasn’t a kidney issue but a hyperthyroid issue. It broke my heart to lose them. I love them so much and still cry sometimes because I miss them. I still have one kitty Mitsy who is 10 and I hope she lives into her 20s. She’s my whole world!

[@Williamfuchs420]

Mines going on 19

[@acae.2249]

We lost both of our kitties to complications resulting from kidney disease, after years of adjusting diets and quarterly vet visits and blood draws trying to help them as much as we could. Diego passed away after 18 1/2 years; Angel made it to 21. They were with us for most of my childhood (I was in 1st grade when we got them) and many years after. We were able to cure Angel's hyperthyroidism with radio-ion therapy and Diego's cancer with an operation (it was in his ear cannal and unable to spread, so we got lucky), but there wasn't much we could do about CKD. I'll never forget them and I wish I could have done more for them at the end. This research is amazing and if it pans out, it would save so many lives. I just hope it becomes affordable for the general population.

[@son_of_wasps]

Hank!! Why is your hair curly?? Was this an effect of the chemo?

[@censorsstarve]

He did say before that an effect of chemo is that your hair can grow back a different color and even go from straight to curly. I was assuming as much that it's an effect of the chemo.

[@Tomwatt193]

I love your new curly hair and I’m glad you are doing better! ❤

[@dudewrapsupreme]

love your hair Hank

[@melanie_meanders]

just noticed it too! he got the chemo curls!

[@collin4555]

The new texture sure is a sight, but he's earned it

[@downwithtrudeau]

My mom developed an allergy to cats when I was around 8yrs|○ and we had to get rid of our two cats cuddles and marbles.. ☹️😠😢 First thing I did when I moved out at 18 years old, went and adopted a kitten 🙆🏻‍♂️😁 That was in 2009 and she has been with me for absolutely everything since. 😻 All of my ups, downs and hardships. 👦🏻🐈‍⬛🥰 i feel like she will be around for a few more years for sure. I also feel like with lots of love and care, she could get into her mid twenties!

[@Boyinabox]

I love my cat to bits. However, I know if I went to the effort of getting him this drug to extend his lifespan he'd get himself run over the day after just to troll me. He's such an adorable but frustrating bellend of an animal.

[@shandy9421]

My cat was diagnosed with kidney disease when she was 19 but we were able to make it until she was 25. This treatment would have been so great for her in her final years. Now with my two 2 year olds, we’ve been trying to apply the lessons we learned from Christy (my first cat) for them since they came home to us at a few months old. Coupled with this treatment I’m hopeful these two can reach their 20’s as well. I just hope this treatment’s affordable when it’s ready for market..!

[@justkittensbeingkittens5892]

IM SO HAPPY I lost my sweet baby boy to PKD last year and a treatment would be amazing!

[@ThatanOmega]

So so happy to see you back up and at it

[@kellyhatchett2517]

My current cats are 17, 13, and 9. I had 2 cats live to 20, but I did lose them to CKD. One of them Zoe, had a daughter Emma, who survived cancer & lived to be 19. Also lost to CKD. My cat Tucker succumbed to kidney disease at 9. My current 17 year old just had surgery for mammary tumors. She does have thyroid problems (found out in bloodwork done pre surgery), but is doing great on her meds. It's so hard to lose them, but they give so much while they're here. Also, I found a ASMR of a cat purring that I go to sleep with every night. It's sooo comforting.

[@jarredbarton3321]

WHY IS HANK CURLY HEADED😂😂😂

[@jarredbarton3321]

I love it!

[@astralb.2647]

Chemo curls!

[@Me-ei8yd]

Because his hair follicle produces cuticles that are bent creating an S curve in the hair shaft. When this S curve is pronounced/ strong, you get tight curly hair. SCIENCE!!

[@heatherkaye8653]

He is a common chemo curled coat man. A rare breed indeed!

[@wanderinglizzy]

I lost my cat and best friend Smokey to chronic kidney disease last year, she was 15, and had been with me since I was 12. I'll always miss her, but I hope that less kitties will have to suffer the way she did.

[@pipe2devnull]

Human: Here Kitty, here's the new cure for CKD! Cat: Great let's have it. Human: A lot of mice died for this medicine. Cat: Whatever.

[@toxicpimpsmack]

I just lost my cat of 23yrs My biggest advice is stay Away from dry food wet food only and then add water to that keeping a keeping a moist diet consistently throughout their life is key.

[@Ghost_emoji]

There is nothing wrong with dry food, stop food shaming

[@toxicpimpsmack]

@@Ghost_emoji I'm not trying to dry food shame. Just moisture is key. Dry food is void of moisture (or enough moisture (you yourself can see/ feel the difference) )and is nothing close to what a feline would eat in the wild. Dry food is useful. Cats love it. Small amounts are not harmful. What I'm saying is the answer lies not in dry food for kidney issues. Moisture is the answer. That and A.I.M. Either way two humans that love their cats can't be wrong they can only be guilty of love. Be well friend

[@ramblinevilmushroom]

You're hair is... wrong. Why is your hair wrong???!

[@astralb.2647]

Chemo curls

[@Ji99i3]

These kinda comments can hurt confidence. The video is great and informative leave the appearance out imo. Have a good day

[@trevinbeattie4888]

It’s just different. Nothing wrong with being different. I rather like it.

[@ramblinevilmushroom]

@@trevinbeattie4888 i was being ironic and facetious, but it didn't land, sorry :