My mom emailed me and said my childhood cat, Lacie, had to go to the vet overnight tonight and might have kidney failure (we're waiting on the blood work). She's about 12 years old, has lost weight, peed on my parents' bed (she NEVER does this), and is lethargic. My poor, sweet, kitty. Have any of you had animals with kidney problems? Is there anything we can do or just wait and see? From what I've read, there isn't much that can be done, which just breaks my heart.  :'( She's such a good cat.

Hi kbuettne,

I have had a few cats over the years with kidney failure or issues (dogs too).  Usually due to extremely old age.  Tell your parents not to give up and do not listen to the vets when it comes to giving Hill's Kidney Diet or similar.
It is time to have them start home cooking. Chicken only 2 to 3 times a week.  Fish as in tuna, salmon, mackerel and sardines 3 or 4 times a week.  Cottage cheese (low fat is really good too).  I asked my vegetarian holistic vet if tofu was a good protein source and she said no to both dogs and cats.  When in kidney failure, animals need very good sources of protein but low fat.  Lean chicken, fish and low fat cottage cheese.  Veggies too.  Can buy the canned fish or steam/bake/broil fresh fish.  I have always steamed veggies.  No added salt, sugar or stuff we think is yummy.
Good grains also.  Dandelion is great for the kidneys.  Buy fresh dandelion greens and steam them or give raw.  Plenty of fresh water.  Filtered, Brita or bottled.  No tap water.  Dandelion capsules are good too.  Break one open in each meal.  Get off the processed pet foods.  Harold, my 19 year old cat has been in the beginnings of kidney failure for a few years.  She is now 19 1/2.  I switched to more fish than other meats.  NO BEEF!  The one exception is raw organic beef liver.  Yes, I know for this board, it sounds horrendous but a cat needs what a cat needs.  Very easy to home cook for a single cat.  I home cook for 4 cats and a dog. 
An extremely good cat diet can slow down the process of kidney failure.  I thought I was going to say good-bye to Harold a few years ago.  Yet, she eats like a pig and continues to go on.  Harold has been on home cooked for about 10 years but I was giving too much chicken and not enough fish and cottage cheese.  Bless her little heart for continuing to go on.  Remember, no beef unless it is organic raw beef liver.  Can have that two or three times a week and can be added to the chicken/fish diet.  Liver doesn't have to be the whole meal. 
I hope this has helped.  Many don't want to go through the trouble or time of a home cooked diet but for a single cat, takes no time at all.  Takes no time at all for my four cats and dog.  I toss everything in a frying pan with water and let it cook gently.  I ignore it until it is done.  With a single cat, much could be made in advance and frozen.
Dandelion is huge for kidney disorders!

Please keep us posted on Lacie!

Hugs
Di