We found out earlier on today that one of the kittens we gave away earlier on this year, passed away lastnight due to kidney failure. This is the same kitten who's new owner had to take it the vets a while ago and the vet diagnosed it as feline lukemia, but it turned out to be renal failure. He was rehydrated last time and sent home again and has been fine for weeks until yesterday morning, where he took ill and was rushed to the vets. He apparently passed away in his sleep in the vets last night

The vet said that in Ginger toms renal failure is very common and it's a genetic thing. I've never heard this before and have also been unable to find any further info about it on the 'net.

Has anyone else ever been told/heard that Ginger cats are more prone to kidney failure/problems??? as it's confused the heck out of me

I'd never heard that ginger cats are prone to kidney failure, but my cat's brother died of renal failure at around 7 months (he was ginger too)

He'd had a very minor accident.. nothing serious, just a knock to his mouth which was easily treated, but shortly afterwards he became very ill and was diagnosed with chronic renal failure and had to be put to sleep. The vet believed that his condition was already present at the time of his accident and it was just exacerbated by the shock.

He was only about 6 months old so I'm very dubious about the vets oppinion. I have a sneaking feeling that the new owners children were feeding him chocolate or similar which had made him worse.

I just wish we'd never have rehomed him now. Especially as he was the one we really wanted to keep

They might have done, or he may just have been born with a condition like Sam, my cat's brother. We were warned after Sam died (he lived with his breeders) to keep an eye out for any signs of our cat becoming ill in case it was a hereditary problem. No mention of ginger cats might I add.. ours is a tabby so it seemed to be more a case of any related cats could be at risk. Ours is 5 now and healthy, so fingers crossed he's ok.

I know it's horrible when you feel like maybe you could have prevented it by keeping him, but chances are he may have got sick anyway.

Well, my ginger boy died of "natural causes" at 18 years and 2 months. Both he and his Tortie sister (died at 17 from a "lymphoma") drank water (and peed!) a LOT from about 12 years onwards... I was once told that Jason "only had one functional kidney left", but he still retained a "youthful vigour" up until the last 3-4 months of his life.

I have not heared of kidney condition affecting GINGER Cats specifically. Most seem to demonstrate typical "Hybrid Vigour". In the absence of (unlike humans) heart disease etc., it does seem to be diabetis or renal failure that "gets to" most old cats, finally? But would I had/could remain as healthy into my (in human terms) 90's as many a feline?

Sorry to hear of this loss though. There is something "SPECIAL" about ginger cats...

I've never heard of ginger cats being any more prone to kidney conditions than any other colour of cat.

My ginger puss is almost 21 years old & according to the vet his kidneys are only just beginning to fail but he's getting tablets for it and he's taking them well ... as long as they're mashed up with some mackerel & tomato sauce!

My ginge had a prolapsed bum when he was a kitten. We had to wipe his bum for him! He was fine after that though.