Senior Cat Comfort & Care

As cats age, their nutrient requirements change. This is especially true for cats with medical issues.

Veterinarians may recommend a prescription diet for some conditions like chronic kidney disease, diabetes, urinary, thyroid or gastrointestinal issues, cancer, etc. These diets have been specially formulated to address the nutrient changes and symptoms these conditions cause. For example, a kidney diet has less protein and phosphorus to decrease the workload on the kidneys, and it contains less sodium to help prevent dehydration and other essential nutrients to help counteract the negative effects caused by poorly functioning kidneys.

Specialized diets undergo extensive testing to ensure they’re safe and effective for the disease they’re formulated for, so they tend to be more costly. However, studies show that these veterinary-exclusive diets are actually close to the cost of premium pet foods. The annual cost for regular cat food is $120 to $500; surprisingly, prescription food falls within that range. Also, by managing and slowing the progression of the medical issue, you’ll likely spend less on vet care.