In many cases, kidney disease is hereditary. That is what the vet suspected with my Mr. Amber Cat. I think it was the prednisone.

I think that was one of the problems with the food recalls, so it can be caused by foods too.

No telling how rapidly or slowly it will progress. Sometimes a change in food can slow the progress and the cat will live happily for YEARS.

At some point, the cat may need sub q fluids. Amber started once every other day. Got to the point of 4 times per day when I said no, that is enough.

It is not a death sentence; it is more likely that the cat will die of kidney issues than of something else, now that this has shown up.