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Updated: Oct 14, 2025

Analyses of Proteinuria, Renal Infiltration of Leukocytes, and Renal Deposition of Proteins in Lupus-prone MRL/lpr Mice
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Is proteinuria a rare condition in apparently healthy and sick cats? A feline practice experience (2007-2018)

Maria Cristina López1, Valentina Aybar2, Andrea Zatelli3

  • 1Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.

Open Veterinary Journal
|November 1, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Proteinuria is common in cats, affecting over half of those studied, and is linked to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Measuring urine protein-to-creatinine (UPC) ratio aids in detecting and managing CKD, even in seemingly healthy cats.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Nephrology
  • Companion Animal Health

Background:

  • Proteinuria is considered less prevalent in felines compared to canines.
  • Proteinuria in cats is primarily linked to chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate and compare urine protein-to-creatinine (UPC) values in cats.
  • To assess UPC in cats undergoing annual health checks versus those with clinical signs of CKD.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective evaluation of UPC ratios in 112 owned cats.
  • Categorization of cats into apparently healthy (n=51) and sick (n=61) groups based on clinical signs suggestive of CKD.

Main Results:

  • Over half (54.5%) of all cats exhibited borderline or overt proteinuria (UPC ≥ 0.2).
  • Proteinuria was identified in 35.7% of sick cats and 18.7% of healthy cats.
  • Increased UPC correlated with azotemia and isosthenuria in both groups.

Conclusions:

  • Borderline and overt proteinuria in cats are significantly associated with CKD.
  • UPC measurement is valuable for detecting and managing CKD in cats, including apparently healthy ones during routine check-ups.
Abstract

Keywords:
Annual health checkKidneyUPCUrinalysisUrine protein-to-creatinine ratio

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