Feline comorbidities: a nutritional approach to management
Feline comorbidities: a nutritional approach to management
Open access
In our edition of: Apr 2025
In our categories of: small animals
our summary:
Villaverde, C. and Hervera, M. (2025) Feline comorbidities: A nutritional approach to management. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 27 (3)
The aim of this review article was to provide guidance on important aspects to consider when choosing a suitable diet for cats with comorbidities.
Nutritional management strategies play an important role in several feline diseases and the process is more complex when comorbidities are present. The review refers to the 2021 AAHA nutrition and weight management guidelines for dogs and cats as an important source of information on identifying patients with nutrient-sensitive diseases that might require specific nutritional management. Formulation of a feeding plan for cats with comorbidities includes consideration of diet choice, daily allowance and feeding method. Diet choice will often include a feed formulated for particular nutritional uses (PARNUTs) also referred to as a dietetic food.
The review offers four steps to consider in formulating a feeding plan:
Step 1: Carry out a nutritional assessment identifying any nutritional risk factors, the animal’s diet history and other diagnostics. A range of nutritional assessment tools is available from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association to assist with this process.
Step 2: Make a wish list by determining the nutritional goals for each nutrient-sensitive disease condition in the patient. Published evidence, including product guides from the pet food manufacturers, should be evaluated as this will assist in prioritising dietary strategies when they are not compatible.
Step 3: Assess the compatibility of nutritional goals, deciding whether the dietary strategies are compatible and can co-exist in a diet, whether it be a commercial or homemade one.
Step 4a: Choosing a diet if nutritional and feeding strategies are compatible. Some comorbidities can have compatible dietary strategies, e.g. obesity and diabetes mellitus because weight control is the common goal in both disease conditions. The author notes that the choice of available dietetic food can be limited due to various factors, e.g. geographic location and that mixing two commercial dietetic foods is not recommended practice because it can result in losing the benefits of both diets.
Step 4b: Choosing a diet if nutritional and feeding strategies are not compatible. In this case the decision would be based on a range of factor e.g. prioritising disease condition, diet palatability, budget, preferences and quality of life to both the patient and caregivers.
Limitations of the review include the lack of evaluation of the available evidence.
This review provides useful step-by-step guidance for veterinary practitioners in determining the best feeding approach for cats with comorbidities with complex dietary needs. Case studies are included to illustrate the decision-making process.
Key resources
Cline, M.G. et al. (2021) 2021 AAHA nutrition and weight management guidelines for dogs and cats. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 57 (4), pp. 153–178. https://doi.org/10.5326/JAAHA-MS-7232
Guidelines: Global nutrition. [World Small Animal Veterinary Association] [online] Available from: https://wsava.org/global-guidelines/global-nutrition-guidelines/ [Accessed 7 April 2025]
The following may also be of interest:
Ray, M. et al. (2021) 2021 AAFP Feline Senior Care Guidelines. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 23 (7) pp. 613-638. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X211021538
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