Familial renal disease is an uncommon cause of kidney failure in dogs and cats. Most causes are breed-related (familial) and some are inherited. Some are congenital (present at birth). Renal dysplasia is a type of familial kidney disease characterized by abnormal cellular differentiation of kidney tissue. Dogs and cats with kidney disease caused by these diseases have the typical symptoms of kidney failure, including weight loss, loss of appetite, depression, and increased water consumption and urination.[1] A list of familial kidney diseases by dog and cat breeds is found below.