Cat Creatinine Levels Chart: Normal Range & What Values Mean

Cat Creatinine Levels: Normal Range

Normal cat creatinine: 0.8-2.4 mg/dL. Here's what different levels mean:

NORMAL: 0.8-2.4 mg/dL

Kidneys filtering waste effectively.

ELEVATED: 2.5-4.0 mg/dL

Kidney disease possible. Needs investigation.

HIGH: Above 4.0 mg/dL

Advanced kidney disease. Requires treatment.

Worried about your cat's kidney values?

See creatinine, BUN & SDMA explained together

Check My Cat's Kidneys

Creatinine is just one piece of the puzzle. Vets look at three kidney markers together—BUN, creatinine, and SDMA—to get the full picture of your cat's kidney health.

Cat Kidney Values Quick Reference Chart

BUN (mg/dL)

Normal: 10-30

Mild: 31-50

Moderate: 51-80

Severe: >80

Creatinine (mg/dL)

Normal: 0.8-2.4

Mild: 2.5-2.8

Moderate: 2.9-5.0

Severe: >5.0

SDMA (µg/dL)

Normal: 0-14

Mild: 15-25

Moderate: 26-38

Severe: >38

Test	Normal Range	Mild Elevation	Moderate	Severe
BUN (mg/dL)	10-30	31-50	51-80	>80
Creatinine (mg/dL)	0.8-2.4	2.5-2.8	2.9-5.0	>5.0
SDMA (µg/dL)	0-14	15-25	26-38	>38

One elevated test could be dehydration or stress. Kidney disease diagnosis requires 2+ elevated tests at least 2 weeks apart. SDMA rises earliest (at 25% kidney loss vs 75% for creatinine).

Normal ranges: BUN 10-30, creatinine 0.8-2.4, SDMA 0-14. If your cat's creatinine is 2.8 and SDMA is 18, that's Stage 2 kidney disease—treatable with diet alone if caught now. If creatinine hits 3.5+, you're in Stage 3 requiring medications. The decision point: SDMA >14 or creatinine >2.4 means stop watching and start intervening.

What Vets Focus On

• SDMA is the early warning — rises before creatinine, often 6-12 months sooner
• High BUN + normal creatinine = dehydration — recheck after fluids before diagnosing CKD
• Creatinine >2.8 triggers treatment — prescription diet and phosphate binders start immediately

What Are Cat Kidney Values?

• BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) — A waste product filtered by the kidneys. When kidneys aren't functioning optimally, BUN levels rise.
• Creatinine — Another waste product closely linked to kidney function. Often considered more reliable than BUN for assessing kidney health.
• SDMA — An early marker that detects kidney disease before creatinine rises. Learn more in our detailed SDMA guide.

Why Kidney Values Matter in Cats

Cats are particularly prone to chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially as they age. Studies show that up to 30% of cats over 10 years old develop some degree of kidney disease. This is why regular screening for senior cats is so important. Tracking these values helps veterinarians catch kidney problems early and guide treatment decisions that can significantly improve quality of life.

Common Causes of Elevated Kidney Values

High BUN: Dehydration, high-protein diet, gastrointestinal bleeding, or kidney disease. See our complete BUN guide for details.
High Creatinine: More directly linked to kidney dysfunction and less affected by external factors
High SDMA: Sensitive early warning sign of CKD, often elevated before other markers

Chronic Kidney Disease Staging Chart for Cats

Stage 1

Creatinine: < 1.6 mg/dL

SDMA: < 18 µg/dL

Meaning: Non-azotemic. Kidney disease present but function appears normal.

Treatment: Identify cause, regular monitoring, kidney-friendly diet.

Stage 2

Creatinine: 1.6 - 2.8 mg/dL

SDMA: 18 - 25 µg/dL

Meaning: Mild disease. ~33% function lost. Often no symptoms.

Treatment: Prescription diet, hydration, phosphorus binders. Monitor every 3-6 months.

Stage 3

Creatinine: 2.9 - 5.0 mg/dL

SDMA: 26 - 38 µg/dL

Meaning: Moderate disease. ~75% function lost. Symptoms appear.

Treatment: Diet, fluids, phosphorus binders, BP meds, anti-nausea. Monitor monthly.

Stage 4

Creatinine: > 5.0 mg/dL

SDMA: > 38 µg/dL

Meaning: Severe disease. >75% function lost. Quality of life affected.

Treatment: Intensive care, frequent fluids, appetite stimulants. Palliative discussions.

IRIS Stage	Creatinine (mg/dL)	SDMA (µg/dL)	What It Means	Treatment Focus
Stage 1	< 1.6	< 18	Non-azotemic (no toxin buildup). Kidney disease present but kidney function appears normal on bloodwork.	Identify and treat underlying cause. Regular monitoring. Kidney-friendly diet.
Stage 2	1.6 - 2.8	18 - 25	Mild kidney disease. About 33% kidney function lost. Often no symptoms yet.	Prescription kidney diet, hydration support, phosphorus binders if needed. Monitor every 3-6 months.
Stage 3	2.9 - 5.0	26 - 38	Moderate kidney disease. About 75% kidney function lost. Symptoms often appear.	Kidney diet, subcutaneous fluids, phosphorus binders, blood pressure medication, anti-nausea meds. Monitor monthly.
Stage 4	> 5.0	> 38	Severe kidney disease. Over 75% kidney function lost. Quality of life significantly affected.	Intensive supportive care, frequent fluids, appetite stimulants, anti-nausea meds. Palliative care discussions.

Understanding the staging chart helps you interpret your cat's specific results. Here's how to put the numbers together:

Example: Understanding Your Cat's Values

If your cat has BUN 37, Creatinine 2.4, SDMA 18:

• Creatinine 2.4 suggests Stage 2 CKD (1.6-2.8 range)
• SDMA 18 is at the borderline (Stage 1-2), confirming mild kidney disease
• BUN 37 is mildly elevated (normal 10-30), consistent with early kidney dysfunction
• Action: Start prescription kidney diet, ensure good hydration, recheck in 3-6 months

Important: Staging requires at least two consecutive tests showing elevated values, with at least 2 weeks between tests. One elevated result could be dehydration or stress. SDMA often catches kidney disease earlier than creatinine alone, and staging guides treatment but doesn't predict lifespan—many Stage 2-3 cats live years with proper management.

Have your cat's kidney panel results?

Upload your cat's bloodwork and get instant explanations of creatinine, BUN, and SDMA values. Track trends over time to catch kidney disease early.

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Signs of Kidney Problems in Cats

• Increased drinking and urination — often the first sign owners notice
• Weight loss — despite normal or increased appetite
• Reduced appetite — becoming pickier about food
• Vomiting or lethargy — from toxin buildup
• Bad breath — chemical odor from kidney dysfunction

What Happens Next?

Your veterinarian may recommend:

• Repeat bloodwork to confirm trends and rule out temporary elevations
• Urine testing to assess kidney concentration ability
• Imaging (ultrasound) to evaluate kidney structure
• Prescription kidney diets that are lower in protein and phosphorus
• Supportive medications including fluids, phosphorus binders, and appetite stimulants
• Blood pressure monitoring as hypertension often accompanies kidney disease

Key takeaway: Kidney values show how well your cat's kidneys are functioning. Mild changes may only need monitoring, while severe or persistent changes guide treatment decisions. Early detection and management can significantly slow disease progression.

Monitor Your Cat's Kidney Health

Upload your cat's bloodwork into VetLens and get:

✓ Plain-English explanations of BUN, Creatinine, and SDMA
✓ Context on whether changes are due to dehydration, diet, or CKD
✓ Suggested questions to ask your vet
✓ Tailored diet and supplement recommendations

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is SDMA and why is it important?

SDMA is an early marker of kidney function that often rises before creatinine. It can detect kidney disease when only 25% of kidney function is lost, compared to creatinine which typically rises after 75% loss.

What causes high BUN in cats?

High BUN can result from kidney disease, dehydration, high-protein diet, or gastrointestinal bleeding. Your vet will consider other values and clinical signs to determine the cause.

What is a dangerous creatinine level?

Values above 2.4 mg/dL are considered abnormal. Levels above 4.0 mg/dL often indicate advanced kidney disease requiring intensive management.

Can kidney disease be treated?

While there's no cure for chronic kidney disease, proper diet, medications, and supportive care can slow progression and significantly improve quality of life. Many cats live years with well-managed kidney disease.