Feline comorbidities: a nutritional approach to management

Abstract

Practical relevance Specific nutritional management strategies play an important role in several feline diseases. Comorbidities sensitive to nutritional management should be taken into account when formulating a feeding plan for cats; this should include diet choice, daily allowance and feeding method. Cats with multiple disease conditions, especially those in the senior age range, make up a significant proportion of patients seen in clinical practice; nutritional management strategies are therefore an important consideration for practitioners. Clinical challenges Nutritional strategies indicated for each condition in a cat with comorbidities might not be compatible. Even when they are compatible, commercial diets may not always be available for the specific combination of diseases. Choosing the best diet for each patient requires careful nutritional assessment and knowledge of the nutritional profile of the dietary options available. Evidence base The evidence for the nutritional management of several feline conditions is variable and is focused on cats with one disease. The recommendations provided in this paper are drawn from the existing literature as well as the clinical experience of the authors. Aims The aim of this review is to protocolise the nutritional approach to comorbidities and discuss important aspects to consider when making dietary choices for patients with comorbidities, including nutritional assessment, identifying nutritional strategies for each condition, the assessment of the compatibility of nutritional goals, disease prioritisation and decision-making. Audience This paper sets out a practical, step-by-step approach for general and feline veterinary healthcare team members to customise for the nutritional management of feline patients with comorbidities.