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View 5 More +There are so many types of cat food on the market, and a glance at the cat food section in a pet store proves this. With so many options, you might be confused as to which foods are truly good for your cat and which foods are possibly just a money-making gimmick.
Cat foods have different textures, tastes, nutritional values, and even fancy names likely to grab your attention. Furthermore, some of these foods are sold as a prescription diet for cats with certain health issues.
You might understand why cats may need different textured or flavored foods, but is it really necessary for them to eat a prescription diet? This article has the answers for you.
How Does It Work?
Prescription or therapeutic cat foods are prescribed by a veterinarian for cats with specific dietary needs. These dietary needs are usually the result of chronic health conditions or medical needs that may make other diets unsuitable. The truth is that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to a cat’s diet. Some cats have different dietary requirements based on several factors such as breed, health, weight, and lifestyle.
Prescription cat foods can be great at helping cats manage their medical needs. They are usually fed like medicine and should not be fed to cats that don’t need it. That’s why you should only buy prescription cat food if it has been prescribed by a veterinarian.
They are usually only sold from vet-based stores or directly from veterinary clinics. You will need a prescription note from a veterinarian before you can buy the food. It’s not a food you can buy for your cat off the shelf because you want to prevent or treat specific health conditions yourself.
Despite the possible confusion with the name, prescription cat food doesn’t contain any prescription drugs. It is tailored for cats with specific health issues and shouldn’t be fed to a cat unnecessarily if they do not need it.
The 3 Different Types of Prescription Cat Food
There are various types of prescription cat food formulated by different brands. Some popular ones include Hill’s, Purina, and Royal Canin. Prescription cat foods are available as kibble or wet foods and come in different flavors, so they can easily be eaten by most cats.
Here are some of the different types of prescription cat foods.
1. Kidney Care
There are different types of kidney diseases affecting cats, but chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the most common. An estimated 30% to 40% of cats over 10 years old are affected by chronic kidney disease and more than 10% percent of cats over 15 years old.1 Cats with chronic kidney disease may need lifelong management with the right treatments.
According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, diet modification is a proven aspect of chronic kidney disease treatment. This is because prescription cat diets for kidney care have fewer proteins, sodium, and phosphorus while being higher in B vitamins and antioxidants. This makes kidney care prescription diets necessary for cats with specific dietary needs because of kidney issues.
2. Diabetes Care
Diabetic cats can benefit from a prescription diet that helps with weight management and blood sugar regulation. This prescription cat food is usually high in protein but low in carbohydrates, which is ideal for diabetic cats.
3. Urinary Care
Urinary care prescription cat foods are formulated for cats that suffer from various urinary conditions. This includes the formation of urinary stones or crystals. This prescription diet contains restricted mineral levels, such as phosphorus, which may lead to urinary stone development.
Furthermore, urinary care prescription diets can help to maintain a lower pH level in the urine to avoid bladder stones.
Where Is It Used?
Prescription cat foods are prescribed to cats who require a specialized diet for specific health conditions. It is not usually used to prevent certain health conditions, but rather fed as part of treatment or management plan.
Cats who do not need a prescription diet shouldn’t be fed it unnecessarily. Although a normal, healthy cat is unlikely to be affected by having a nibble of the food occasionally, it should not be fed as a daily diet. Prescription cat foods have restricted amounts of certain minerals, proteins, or carbohydrates which aren’t necessary for most healthy cats.
Prescription cat foods are not luxury food, but rather fed for medical reasons and shouldn’t be misused.
Advantages of Prescription Cat Food
- Helps to treat and manage specific health conditions.
- Available as either a wet or dry food to cater to cats with food preferences or dental issues.
- Have different flavors to appeal to even the pickiest eaters.
- Contain specific ingredients and nutrients tailored to cats with certain health conditions.
- Formulated to contain the nutrients your cat requires to be healthy despite their health conditions.
Disadvantages of Prescription Cat Food
- Expensive compared to other cat foods that do not require a veterinary prescription.
- Can only be purchased with a veterinarian’s note.
- Not guaranteed to work for every cat with health conditions the food is formulated for.
- Should only be fed under the guidance of a veterinarian as it is unnecessary for cats who do not need it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is prescription cat food so expensive?
Although prescription cat foods can be helpful for cats with tailored dietary needs, they can leave a dent in your wallet. The price is likely from the extensive testing the food undergoes before it can be marketed as “therapeutic”. Don’t hesitate to speak with a veterinarian if you feel like you cannot afford the prescription diet your cat has been prescribed.
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Why can’t I purchase prescription cat food from the pet store?
Prescription cat foods can only be purchased if you have a veterinary note or card. You cannot purchase the food without one, even if you simply want to test whether your cat will like it or not. Prescription cat food is generally sold by veterinary clinics and pet stores but won’t be sold to you without a veterinary prescription.
Are prescription cat foods really necessary?
Prescription cat foods are necessary for some cats with certain health conditions that require diet modifications. They are not sold for the money-making aspect, hence why they can only be purchased with a prescription. Prescription cat foods are not necessary for all cats and have different uses than regular cat foods that don’t require a prescription.
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Conclusion
Prescription cat foods are prescribed when normal foods are no longer an option. Cats with health conditions such as chronic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes can benefit from a prescription diet. They are typically fed to help manage an existing health condition and not to cats who don’t need it.
Prescription cat foods are intended to be used as a preventative for healthy cats and are only necessary for cats who are prescribed them by a veterinarian.
Featured Image Credit: Dmitry Naumov, Shutterstock
3 Responses
That's encouraging to know. Thanks so much for your helpful reply.
A week ago I received notice that the prescription food my cat, Jax, depends on is unavailable…a delay in shipping. For a PRESCRIPTION?? She cannot eat any other food. What is the solution? Why is there a shortage of this prescription? I suppose a better question would be why does FOOD have to be PRESCRIBED? And since that somehow became an acceptable practice (the reason has nothing to do with feline health!), why are there only two other prescription foods for cats?
Years ago, when Jax was first put on prescribed food by her doctor, she began with Hills hydrolyzed dry food and did very well with that product for a few years. Then inexplicably and without warning, Hills "improved"* the formula, and Jax's digestive system couldn't handle the new formula, so I couldn't give that to her anymore. *(Why would a prescription be improved–without warning? What if my BP meds were "improved" without my awareness??) Thankfully, we successfully transitioned her to Purina's HA Hydrolyzed Dry Food Feline Formula—another prescription and more expensive than ever. But at least she likes it and, most of the time she's done okay with it on a regular basis. She receives no food, treats, or anything different from her prescribed food.
As evidenced by your article, I am not the only one asking these questions or expressing these concerns. What is or isn't in regular off-the-shelf/over-the-counter cat/dog food that forces veterinarians and cats/dogs to use a prescription food? And why? Why can't all of the food brands collaborate and cooperate and, if they care about animal health and well-being as much as personal profit, provide safe, healthful, "pure," affordable food options? Also, it would be so much more helpful, logical, and practical if small packages/amounts could be made available, for a small price, to test the animal's reaction to a particular prescription diet before a full-size bag for a full-size price is purchased, only to end up causing health complications for the animal (and its human!) and paying for something that cannot be used anymore by the person who purchased it.
There has to be a better way!!
Hi Julie, thanks for your comment. Sorry to hear about your cat Jack and the food shortage issue. We can only comment on the package size, normally you do need to do a slow transition from one food to the next. So a single serving package would not be enough, a week and a half or two weeks size would work. We are lucky that during the last few years, a new market of pet food brands has flourished and pet parents have a ton of options to feed their cats. We are not in control of the pet food manufacturers here but we are doing our best efforts to help pet parents with information and education so they can make better choices for their pets.