Does Your Pet Need a Prescription or Therapeutic Diet

A pet's health depends to no small degree on the food it eats. However, not all pets are created equal where dietary and nutritional needs are concerned -- especially pets struggling with chronic illnesses, food sensitivities, or obesity. If your pet isn't as healthy as it should be, you may need to ask your veterinarian whether a prescription diet, also known as a therapeutic diet, can help turn its health around. Here's an introduction to the fascinating range of these special diets -- and what they do for your special friend.

Functional Diets vs. Prescription or Therapeutic Diets

Every dog or cat, in any state of health, requires a balanced mix of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and fiber in its daily diet. Most high quality store-bought pet foods are formulated to provide a basic balance suitable for most healthy animals at a particular stage of its life. Pet food that provides these basic nutrients are veterinarians refer to as a functional diet. A healthy animal with no unusual nutritional challenges might well live its entire life subsisting on such a diet.

Unfortunately, the situation isn't so clear-cut for other pets. Some dogs or cats may have health problems that render an ordinary functional diet insufficient. In some cases, that "healthy" mix of nutrients might even aggravate an existing condition. That's when veterinarians suggest therapeutic or prescription diets designed to address these specific needs and challenges.

Diseases That Might Call for a Special Diet

Does your pet have a medical issue that requires treatment? If so, the right prescription or therapeutic diet can help your veterinarian manage your pet's condition more successfully. Take a look at some of the diseases a special diet can help.

• Kidney or liver disease - Dogs or cats with kidney disease may benefit from a diet that includes less protein and phosphorus than the norm. Pets with liver disease may need a low-protein, low-fiber diet.
• Urinary tract conditions - A pet that suffers from a chronic urinary tract illness may need a high-moisture diet that triggers more urine production.
• Osteoarthritis - A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation and pain in joint diseases such as osteoarthritis.
• Diabetes - A high-fiber, low-carb diet can help manage diabetes in pets.
• Digestive disorders - Pets who have trouble with nutrient absorption or other digestive complaints often require diets that feature easily-digested ingredients.

It's worth noting that a therapeutic or prescription diet can't "cure" your pet of its affliction. However, by providing the right amounts of key nutrients while restricting others that might contribute to the problem, these diets can offer key support alongside other treatment methods to help ease symptoms and/or keep the issue from getting worse.

Elimination Diets for Allergy Issues

Food sensitivities and allergies can cause digestive upsets, skin problems, and even serious histamine reactions in pets. These underlying triggers aren't necessarily easy to spot. That's why your veterinarian may put your pet on an elimination diet to find the trigger so you can remove it from your pet's diet permanently.

In an elimination diet, you completely stop feeding your pet its usual food. Instead, you substitute a new food featuring a different key ingredient, such as lamb or fish in place of beef. Your pet must stay on this diet for several weeks while you watch for the sensitivity or allergy symptoms to subside. (You may need to try multiple diets before you find one that works.) Your vet can then confirm the effectiveness of the new diet by switching your pet back to its previous diet temporarily to see if the symptoms recur.

Calorie-Restricted Diets for Obese Pets

Approximately 59 percent of dogs and 63 percent of cats weigh too much for their health. Obesity can lead to multiple health complications, from joint pain and diabetes to liver disease and cancer. Regular wellness exams allow your veterinarian to see whether your pet is overweight. If it is, you'll need to work with your vet on a weight reduction plan that probably includes a special diet.

Calorie reduction plays an important role in a successful weight-loss diet for pets. Reducing portion sizes (and measuring them carefully) will help you control how many calories your pet receives with each meal. However, you must also make sure that those reduced portions contain enough essential nutrients to maintain optimal health. For this reason, your vet may also suggest a switch to a different brand of pet food, or a pet food specially designed for overweight animals.

As helpful as weight loss can be for pets, you don't want your special friend to lose too many pounds too fast. Aim for a safe, healthy rate of weight loss -- up to 2 percent of a dog's body weight or one percent of a cat's body weight per week.

Get the Right "Menu" From Your Veterinarian

Whether your pet suffers from chronic pain, shows signs of food allergies, or simply weighs too much for its own good, your veterinarian can help. Schedule an evaluation at your trusted animal hospital so your vet can examine your pet, run the necessary tests, and cook up a prescription or therapeutic diet to improve its well being while tickling its taste buds. Here's wishing your pet bon appetit!