# Kidney-safe Muscle-building Supplements for Cats

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kidney-safe-muscle-building-supplements-for-cats/786638>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 15, 2017, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kidney-safe-muscle-building-supplements-for-cats/786638 "2017-05-15T07:10:04Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\
**Post date:** [May 15, 2017, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kidney-safe-muscle-building-supplements-for-cats/786638/1 "2017-05-15T07:10:04Z")

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I need to find supplements & ways to increase muscle mass for a decade-old male cat who has needs to be careful of his kidneys. Amino acids, l carnitine, lysine, herbal or natural steroids - what would be most helpful & less risky? Thanks.

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**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\
**Post date:** [May 15, 2017, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kidney-safe-muscle-building-supplements-for-cats/786638/2 "2017-05-15T10:45:41Z")

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Have you asked your vet?

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**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\
**Post date:** [May 15, 2017, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kidney-safe-muscle-building-supplements-for-cats/786638/3 "2017-05-15T17:03:16Z")

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Not yet. Just getting in always seems to cost a bundle.

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**Author:** ![brainstall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@brainstall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brainstall)\
**Post date:** [May 15, 2017, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kidney-safe-muscle-building-supplements-for-cats/786638/4 "2017-05-15T17:08:07Z")

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Why do you need to build muscle in a cat? Have you tried increasing his activity level? How about some new interactive toys?

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**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\
**Post date:** [May 15, 2017, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kidney-safe-muscle-building-supplements-for-cats/786638/5 "2017-05-15T18:00:13Z")

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> [@brainstall](#):
>
> Why do you need to build muscle in a cat? Have you tried increasing his activity level? How about some new interactive toys?

Indeed, OP, does your cat even lift? 😃

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**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\
**Post date:** [May 15, 2017, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kidney-safe-muscle-building-supplements-for-cats/786638/6 "2017-05-15T19:33:40Z")

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> [@gnoitall](#):
>
> Indeed, OP, does your cat even lift? 😃

OK, that’s funny _L_

Seriously, he got sick and suddenly lost a lot of muscle mass. Especially in his shoulder area. His skin hangs there. Walking him on a leash doesn’t build up that muscle. Getting him to jump repeatedly doesn’t build that muscle. Nothing seems to help to restore his muscle there.