Prescription diet

A prescription diet, also called a veterinary or therapeutic diet, is a cat food formulated to help manage a specific health problem. They are used for conditions such as kidney disease, urinary crystals and stones, diabetes, food allergy, digestive disease, obesity and some heart or liver problems. They differ from ordinary foods in the amounts of protein, minerals, fibre, fat or other nutrients.

In many places they are sold only after a vet has examined the cat and recommended one, hence the name. The reason is that the right diet depends on a diagnosis. A food that helps one illness may be wrong for another or for a healthy cat, and changing food without advice can delay proper treatment.

If your vet recommends a prescription diet, follow the feeding amounts and move to it gradually over several days, unless told otherwise. Cats can be fussy, and refusing food for more than a day or so is risky, so tell your vet right away if a cat will not eat. Do not give other foods or treats unless your vet agrees, since they can undo the effect. Ask your vet to review the diet at each check-up.