Preventing kidney disease in Burmese cats

Losing a cat to kidney disease is hard, and the fact that you're already thinking preventatively for your two-year-old Burmese says a lot — that's exactly the right instinct. Cats evolved in arid environments and have a naturally low thirst drive, which means most cats on dry food are chronically underhydrated without showing any obvious signs. Over time, that low intake quietly puts strain on the kidneys, and kidney disease is the leading cause of death in older cats. The two most effective ways to increase daily water intake are switching to wet food and adding a water fountain — both nudge cats to drink significantly more. To point you in the right direction: is your Burmese currently on dry or wet food, has a vet ever flagged anything urinary or kidney-related on a check-up, and have you tried a water fountain before?

That's a really solid starting point — clean kidneys at two means you have every opportunity to keep them that way. The dry food diet is the main thing I'd address first, because even a regular bowl of fresh water rarely compensates for the moisture deficit in kibble. Wet food has around 70–80% moisture content versus roughly 10% in dry, so even getting her onto wet food once or twice a day alongside her kibble would make a meaningful difference to her kidneys over the long term. But the single most impactful change you can make right now is adding a water fountain. Cats are instinctively drawn to moving water — it triggers their drinking reflex in a way a static bowl simply doesn't. Can I ask: does she ever show any interest in dripping taps or moving water? That would tell me a lot about how quickly she'd take to a fountain.

That's not a quirky habit at all — that's her telling you exactly what she needs. A cat who seeks out running water is practically guaranteed to drink more from a fountain, and honestly it makes my recommendation very straightforward. I'd go with the Catit Flower Fountain. It's well-suited to cats like yours — the flower-shaped top creates a gentle, visible stream that mimics a tap, so the transition from her bathroom sink habit should be almost effortless. It holds 3 litres, has a triple-action filter that removes impurities and softens the water (which is kinder on kidneys), and it's quiet enough not to spook her. It's widely available on Amazon UK and is one of the most consistently well-reviewed fountains for cats. Pair that with gradually shifting her to a high-quality wet food for at least one or two meals a day, and you're doing everything right at the most preventative stage possible.

Yes — annual kidney function blood tests. Most vets will do a routine profile that includes creatinine and BUN levels, and from around age five or six it's worth asking specifically for an SDMA test, which catches early kidney decline well before standard markers flag anything. At two she's in great shape, but having a baseline reading now means any future changes are measurable rather than guessed at. Some owners also add a renal support supplement — there are options with omega-3s and antioxidants designed to support kidney tissue — but honestly, consistent hydration through wet food and the fountain is the foundation everything else builds on. Get those two habits locked in and you're already ahead of most.

That's the perfect combination — you're genuinely giving her the best preventative start. One small tip when the fountain arrives: place it near where her current water bowl is, leave the bowl in place for a week or two, and let her discover the fountain on her own terms. Cats adopt new things faster when they feel like their own idea. Good luck with her — she sounds like a very loved cat.