Kidney disease log for cats and dogs
Why keep a log with CKD
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common in older cats and seen in dogs too. It is usually managed over months or years with diet, fluids and medication, and checked with blood and urine tests every few months. Between those tests, what happens at home — eating, drinking, vomiting, weight — tells your vet how things are going and whether the plan needs to change sooner.
A daily log takes a minute and turns “she's been a bit off” into something your vet can work with.
What to track
- Appetite. Ate all, some, little or nothing — and what. A poor appetite is common with CKD and worth telling your vet about early; there are often things that can help.
- Water. If your vet has asked you to measure it, fill the bowl with a known amount (say 500 ml) and measure what is left 24 hours later. Account for evaporation and other pets, and keep the method the same each day.
- Urine. The size and number of litter clumps, or how often a dog asks to go out. Accidents in the house are worth noting.
- Vomiting and nausea. Each episode, and signs like lip-licking, drooling or walking up to food and turning away.
- Weight. Weekly, on the same scale. Slow weight loss is easy to miss without numbers.
- Fluids given at home. If your vet has prescribed subcutaneous fluids, the volume and time of each one.
- Medications and supplements. Each dose as given — some, such as phosphate binders, are meant to be mixed with meals, so note if the meal wasn't eaten.
- Energy. A simple normal / quieter / very quiet is enough.
How to use the log
Fill in one row each day, at about the same time. Use the same words each time — “all / some / little / none” for appetite — so changes stand out. Write the target your vet gave you (fluids volume, diet, medications) at the top, so anyone feeding the pet has it in front of them.
When to call your vet
Your vet will tell you what to watch for in your pet's case. Owners are commonly asked to call if the pet stops eating for a day or more, vomits repeatedly, becomes very lethargic or stops drinking. When in doubt, call — and have the log in front of you when you do.
Questions owners ask
How much water is normal for a cat or dog with CKD?
It varies with the pet, its diet (wet food contains a lot of water) and the stage of the disease, so there is no single number. What matters is your pet's own pattern: write it down daily and let your vet compare it over time.
Do I need to log every day?
Daily is best while the plan is new or after a change in medication or diet. Once things are stable, your vet may be happy with a few days a week and weekly weights — ask what they would like to see.
What should I bring to the recheck?
The log since the last visit, the list of everything your pet takes (including supplements and treats), and any questions you wrote down. If your pet had a bad day, mark it on the sheet so it can be matched with the results.
Can I use the log for a dog as well as a cat?
Yes. The same things are watched in both; for a dog, write how often it asks to go out instead of litter clumps.
The same log, on your iPhone
Petwellio puts appetite, water, vomiting and weight on one chart, reminds you of fluids and medications, and gives your vet a report of the weeks between blood tests.
This page is general information for pet owners, not veterinary advice. Your own vet knows your pet and its history; follow what they tell you, and call them whenever you're worried.