Dietary and therapeutic feeding of cats

In this section of our website, we'll examine a special category of diets—therapeutic and therapeutic cat foods. They promote the recovery of sick animals and can significantly reduce the risk of exacerbation of chronic diseases. Some owners believe that feeding a therapeutic diet will cure their cat, and they "prescribe" therapeutic food for their pets themselves. Unfortunately, this approach to pet health can cause far more harm than good. We'll explain why feeding such foods should only be done on the recommendation of a veterinarian and under their supervision.

Unlike regular foods, therapeutic cat food is a special diet that, when combined with medication, promotes the pet's recovery. Depending on the animal's condition and the severity of the disease, a veterinarian may prescribe a therapeutic diet for a longer period, even after the medication course has been completed, to speed up the cat's recovery.

A veterinary-based cat diet also helps prevent the onset or progression of disease. Everyone knows that prevention is the best treatment.

If you can identify your pet's predisposition to a particular disease in a timely manner, you can use dietary food to avoid many illnesses and prevent possible complications.

Types of dietary feeds

The most popular and affordable dry and canned therapeutic cat foods in our country are produced by Eukanuba, Hill's, Royal Canin, and Pro Plan. Their veterinary lines offer special diets for cats with the following conditions:

urolithiasis;
kidney disease;
obesity;
diabetes mellitus;
digestive and gastrointestinal disorders;
joint diseases;
liver disease;
heart failure;
inflammation of the gums, plaque and tartar;
skin diseases;
food allergy;
recovery period after surgery or injury.

There are also two more categories of diets for cats with special nutritional needs that need to be noted:

for castrated and sterilized animals;
for senior and old cats.

Age-related changes, like castration of an animal, require adjustments to the diet and adherence to a special diet throughout the cat's life.

Diet for urolithiasis

Foods that promote stone dissolution and reduce the risk of further stone formation include Eukanuba Urinary Oxalate, Eukanuba Urinary Struvite, Hill's Feline c/d, Hill's Feline s/d, as well as premium therapeutic cat food Pro Plan UR ST/OX Urinary and Royal Canin Urinary S/O.

Food for kidney disease

Renal support diets reduce the risk of exacerbations and complications in animals with chronic renal failure. These include Pro Plan NF ST/OX Renal Function, Royal Canin Renal, Eukanuba Renal, and Hill's Feline k/d.

Diets for excess weight

These diets are designed to maintain optimal weight and body condition, while also helping to preserve muscle mass and prevent metabolic disorders. For obesity, the following foods are recommended: Royal Canin Obesity Management, Eukanuba Restricted Calorie, Pro Plan OM ST/Oxobesity Management, and Hill's m/d, Hill's w/d, or r/d.

Food for diabetes

Prescribed by a veterinarian to reduce insulin requirements in cats. They also help control glucose levels. These foods include Royal Canin Diabetic, Pro Plan DM ST/OX Diabetes, as well as Hill's m/d, Hill's w/d, or r/d.

Food for gastrointestinal diseases

Recommended for digestive disorders. They are characterized by reduced fat levels and also contain easily digestible ingredients and prebiotics to restore the intestinal flora. These diets include Eukanuba Intestinal, Pro Plan Gastrointestinal, Hill's i/d, and Royal Canin Gastro Intestinal.

Diets for joint diseases

They prevent cartilage breakdown and restore joint mobility and function. The effect is visible after four weeks of feeding or more. These diets include Royal Canin Mobility and Hill's j/d.

Diets for liver diseases

To reduce the load on the liver and maintain its functions in various pathologies and disorders, the following foods are recommended: Hill's l/d, Pro Plan Hepatic, Royal Canin Hepatic.

Diet for body recovery

This type of cat food is typically wet. Its therapeutic effect is achieved through its high nutritional value and palatability. Its consistency allows for feeding the animal through a feeding tube. These diets promote the rapid recovery of malnourished animals, after injuries, surgeries, and during intensive treatment. These include: Royal Canin Recovery, Pro Plan Convalescence, and Hill's a/d.

Food for oral diseases

Helps remove plaque and tartar, eliminates bad breath, and reduces the risk of gingivitis and other gum diseases. These foods include Hill's t/d, Pro Plan Dental, and Royal Canin Dental.

Diets for skin problems and food allergies

They relieve itching and reduce allergic reactions (dermatitis) associated with food intolerances. Recommended foods include Eukanuba Dermatosis, Pro Plan Hypoallergenic, Hill's z/d, Royal Canin Hypoallergenic, Royal Canin Sensitivity Control, and Hill's i/d.

Food for neutered and spayed pets

This group of animals is at risk of becoming overweight and is also predisposed to urinary tract infections. Therefore, they require a special diet. These include Royal Canin Neutered Young Male/Female, Hill's Sterilized Cat, and Pro Plan Sterilized.

Diet for older cats

Many diets have been created for older pets to support their overall health and well-being. These include Hill's Mature Adult 7+, Royal Canin Senior Consult, Pro Plan Adult 7+, and Eukanuba Cat Senior. These are all the main categories of dietary and therapeutic foods available in our country. Remember to monitor your pet's health—and they will thank you with affectionate purrs and a long life.