Addressing Feline Nutrition
by Jenny Alonge
A well-balanced, nutritious diet is critical for keeping feline patients healthy, but successfully communicating with your clients about this topic can be difficult. In addition, the vast array of cat food, treat, and supplement options on the market can be overwhelming and confusing. Keep reading to learn factors you should consider when addressing your feline patients’ nutritional needs.
Obtaining a comprehensive nutritional history
A fundamental part of your feline patient’s wellness status assessment is a comprehensive nutritional history, which should include:
- Patient — Necessary information about the patient, such as patient signalment, physical examination findings, and medical history
- Diet — Considerations about the patient’s diet include:
- The cat’s diet type and the ingredients in their food
- The pet owner’s recipe if the diet is homemade
- Any recent changes in the patient’s diet
- The amount the cat is fed each day, and the number of meals they receive each day
- The amount, ingredients, and feeding frequency of treats
- If the cat eats readily
- Environmental — Environmental considerations include:
- Whether the patient lives mostly indoors or outdoors
- Number of other household pets
- The patient’s daily activities
- Human — Considerations concerning the owner include:
- The owner’s nutrition-related concerns
- Who feeds the cat
- Who gives treats to the cat
- How many adults and children are in the home
- Any feeding challenges
- Whether people outside the home care for the cat
This process involves verbal and written communications with the cat owner, including a nutritional history form completed before the patient’s appointment, as well as questions the veterinarian asks after reviewing the completed form. Tips to initiate the verbal component include:
- Asking permission — Clients are typically receptive when asked permission. A good way to open the discussion is to say, “As part of assessing your cat’s overall health and wellness, can we discuss her nutrition and activity in detail?”
- Using open-ended inquiries — Closed-ended questions, such as “What food do you feed your cat?” often result in brief answers. Instead, use open-ended inquiries—for example, “Can you please tell me everything your cat eats throughout the day, including all treats and supplements?”
- Asking specific questions — To clarify any missing information, focus the client’s attention with specific questions.
- Checking in with the client — After you collect the cat’s nutritional history, ask if the owner has concerns or questions regarding their cat’s nutrition, and use active listening to ensure they feel heard and understood.
Selecting an appropriate cat food
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recently approved new labeling guidelines for pet food manufacturers that will help consumers better understand nutrition information, ingredient statements, and storage and handling instructions. However, many cat owners still find choosing an appropriate food for their cat difficult. Help your clients make informed decisions and recommend that they ask the following questions when evaluating cat food:
- Does the company employ a nutritionist? — Appropriate qualifications include a PhD in animal nutrition, and board certification by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN) and the European College of Veterinary Comparative Nutrition (ECVCN). Also, consider the nutritionist’s employment status, since consultants may have limited influence compared with a staff member.
- What is the company’s quality control process? — Appropriate quality control measures should include ingredient validation, final diet nutrient analysis, toxicology, bacteriology, and packaging/shelf-life screening prior to, during, and after manufacturing.
- Has the company performed product research or nutrition studies? — While pet food companies are not required to conduct nutritional research, doing so signals that they are committed to animal health and wellness.
- Does the food meet your cat’s nutritional needs? — AAFCO provides recommended nutrient levels for every life stage, and the diet should meet the individual cat’s specific nutritional requirements. For example, cats older than 10 years of age should be on an AAFCO-approved diet for senior cats.
Selecting an appropriate cat supplement
Popularity and demand for pet supplements are on the rise, and this trend is likely to continue. However, these products can be at best ineffective and at worse harmful. Ensure your clients ask the following questions when selecting a supplement for their cat:
- Is the supplement produced by a reputable manufacturer?
- Does my cat need every ingredient in the supplement?
- Is the ingredient amount and concentration safe for cats?
- Does the company provide quality assurance?
- If the supplement is a probiotic, is data available that demonstrates that the suggested minimally effective bacterial count is present when the product’s shelf life ends?
- Is evidence available that suggests the supplement is beneficial for cats? Examples include:
- Meta-analysis, including the ingredient or the specific product
- Peer-reviewed, published placebo-controlled studies
- A company performed trial available to consumers for scientific review
- Veterinary support on social media
Encourage your clients to always seek your advice before starting their cat on a supplement. However, many clients disregard their veterinarian’s counsel, so we hope this information will help them choose a safe product for their feline friend.
Whether your patient is a young, healthy cat, needs to lose a few pounds, or has a serious medical condition (e.g., chronic kidney disease), it’s essential that you discuss the cat’s nutritional requirements with the owner and help them choose the appropriate nutritional products to ensure their cat receives the best, individualized care.
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