Medical Veterinary Food For Cats: Indications For Use, Review Of The Best Brands, Reviews Of Veterinarians And Owners

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Veterinary medicated cat food

Medicated veterinary feeds are ready-made rations that are used if the animal has health problems during therapy. In most cases, dietary change alone is not enough to heal. Feed is used to reduce the load on diseased organs and increase the effectiveness of drugs. Since dietary diets do not meet the biological needs of animals, it is important to use such products with caution, since non-compliance with the rules can worsen the condition of the pet.

Content

• 1 Differences between medicinal feeds and conventional

  • 1.1 Hypoallergenic feed
  • 1.2 Diabetic food
  • 1.3 Food for cats with gastrointestinal diseases
  • 1.4 Food for overweight cats
  • 1.5 Food for cats with liver disease
  • 1.6 Foods for cats with renal failure
  • 1.7 Food for cats with urolithiasis
  • 1.8 Feed for wool production
  • 1.9 Feed for neutered and neutered animals
  • 1.10 Food for improving the condition of the coat and skin
  • 1.11 Food for recovery from surgery or stress
• 2 Rules for the use of medicinal feed

• 3 Review of popular manufacturers

  • 3.1 Hill's
  • 3.2 Royal Canin
  • 3.3 Purina
  • 3.4 Eukanuba
  • 3.5 Farmina
• 4 Pet Owner Reviews
• 5 Reviews of veterinarians

Differences between medicated feed and conventional feed

The task of medicated feed is to reduce the load on the body and eliminate potential irritants. They differ from ordinary veterinary products in a less balanced composition, which is better suited for sick animals, but can provoke the development of pathologies in healthy ones. Changes in the recipe depend on which organs or systems are affected by the pathology.

Conditionally, the category of medicinal feeds also includes prophylactic ones. The principle of drawing up their formulation is the same, but most often they are used even before the development of pathology in the presence of a tendency to the occurrence of certain disorders. In some cases, prophylactic products are used during remission to prevent exacerbations. Let's consider separately the main types of medicinal feed.

Hypoallergenic feed

Distinctive features of hypoallergenic feed are the absence of irritants in the composition. No product can guarantee the complete recovery of an animal, since any substance can trigger a reaction from the immune system, but manufacturers try to eliminate the most powerful allergens from the composition. In most cases, the cause of the development of the disease is wheat and corn, less often - poultry protein.

It is strongly recommended not to purchase premium hypoallergenic feeds, since in most cases manufacturers completely exclude meat from the composition

Hypoallergenic foods are most often produced by premium producers. By default, holistic and super premium diets should be free from corn, wheat, and other cheap bulking agents that often cause reactions. In addition, low-cost hypoallergenic food sometimes does not even contain meat. This undermines their credibility. However, in some cases, such diets can be a real salvation if you need to quickly clarify the diagnosis or get rid of acute symptoms. When my friend had to keep the cat on Royal Canin medical products for more than a month because of a reaction to the Origen diet, his eyes began to leak and his hair began to fall off. The problem was solved after calculating the allergen and switching to another feed "Origen" with fish.

Diabetic food

Diabetic foods are used to control the condition of an animal in the presence of a disease. The action of the products is due to the presence of sources of slow carbohydrates. They use more expensive cereals - barley and oats instead of wheat and corn. The use of ingredients with a low glycemic index helps prevent spikes in sugar after a meal.

Despite the rather weak composition, diabetic feed may be the only acceptable option for stabilizing the animal's condition.

When eating diabetic food, it is important to observe the daily regimen. The cat should receive food at the same time. Blood glucose should be monitored, especially during the transition to a new feed. With a favorable combination of circumstances and proper therapy, the need for third-party insulin decreases or completely disappears.

Food for cats with gastrointestinal diseases

This includes 2 categories of food: diets used for delicate digestion, and foods that normalize constipation. The latter contain more plant fibers, which help to enhance peristalsis and improve the movement of feces. Foods with increased sensitivity and pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract (colitis, gastritis, etc.), on the contrary, are distinguished by their delicacy, reduced concentration of coarse fiber and the use of highly digestible components. This is necessary to reduce the load on the internal organs and mucous membranes.

In case of nonspecific deviations, it is advisable, after the examination, to try to pick up a holistic-class food

When choosing food, it is important to consider its type, since these 2 varieties can aggravate the condition of the animal. For example, a diet that helps with constipation, with colitis, can damage the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, and with diarrhea, exacerbation and dehydration.

Food for overweight cats

The key difference between foods for obese cats is the reduced calorie content. This can be achieved by reducing the proportion of carbohydrates and introducing more protein sources into the diet. The diet food may also contain preventive supplements to support joint health. The most commonly used are chondroitin and glucosamine.

Diet food is available in most lines, so it is not difficult to choose a product of any class

Food for cats with liver disease

Liver diets contain limited amounts of protein and fat. The former are capable of causing encephalopathy with excessive catabolism. Lipids increase the load on the diseased organ. Additionally, the composition includes L-carnitine to improve fat metabolism.

Food for cats with renal failure

To prevent deterioration of the pet's condition in the diet, reduce the proportion of phosphorus. Additionally, the amount of protein in the feed can be reduced to relieve the burden on the kidneys, but recently the feasibility of this measure has been questioned. Amino acids are required for normal tissue regeneration and replacement, cell division, and inflammation.

Due to the uremic syndrome, there is a likelihood of ulcerative processes in the gastrointestinal tract, therefore, the introduction of preventive additives into the composition is encouraged. The ingredients help protect mucous membranes. Manufacturers often add flaxseed, aloe, etc. to their diet.

For kidney disease, wet food is preferable, as liquid helps to get rid of metabolic products naturally

Food for cats with urolithiasis

KDD foods help to alter urine pH levels depending on the type of stones that form. When choosing a product, it is important to take into account the type of calculi, since with struvites it is necessary to oxidize urine, and with oxalates it is alkalized. Additionally, the concentration of minerals in the feed is reduced to prevent urine oversaturation.

Only the attending veterinarian should make appointments in the case of ICD, since the wrong choice of feed will lead to a sharp deterioration in the condition

Feed for wool withdrawal

Conditionally, feed for the withdrawal of wool is classified as prophylactic. They are used with an increased threat of intestinal obstruction due to mechanical blockage. The food contains plant fibers that capture hairs and remove them from the digestive tract until dense clumps appear. Additionally, vitamins and unsaturated fatty acids can be included to improve the condition of the coat and skin.

Food for neutered and neutered animals

Food for neutered and neutered pets is used to simultaneously prevent the development of obesity and urolithiasis. They are characterized by a reduced calorie content and the presence of prophylactic additives to normalize the pH level of urine. Most often these are berries and fruits.

To prevent the development of MCD, proper nutrition and the presence of natural oxidants are sufficient; such feeds are produced by many companies, but not all products meet the requirements

Food for improving the condition of the coat and skin

Food for improving the condition of the coat and skin is used for dermatitis, deficiency of nutrients, stress, etc. in the presence of peeling, irritation and other characteristic symptoms of dermatological diseases. For the normalization of metabolism and the functioning of the immune system, biotin and unsaturated fatty acids are included in the composition. Vitamins A and E improve skin condition by normalizing the sebaceous glands and increasing elasticity. The food at the same time can be hypoallergenic, since most often the cause of the onset of symptoms is an acute reaction to stimuli.

Food for recovery from surgery or stress

Rehabilitation feeds are highly digestible and high in calories. They help maintain a healthy state and prevent exhaustion in the presence of stressors. Feed reduces the load on the digestive tract. Wet diets and pates are predominantly used to prevent injury to the injured area and increase inflammation.

Rules for the use of medicated feed

When using medicated feed, it is important to observe the following rules:

1. You cannot self-medicate. All appointments should be made by a veterinarian after studying the history and examination results. In most cases, medicated feeds are categorically unsuitable for healthy animals due to the absence or limitation of certain nutrients. This can provoke the development of pathologies.
2. During therapy, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the animal. This helps not only to assess progress and dynamics, but also to notice the development of diseases of other organs in time.
3. Healing feeds are used in courses. Prophylactic, depending on their purpose, can be used for life or for a long time. Most often, the diet is followed for 2-6 weeks, then a break is taken. The specific terms are specified by the doctor, taking into account the type of disease and the condition of the pet.
4. The transition to medicated feed and back is slow. It is recommended to gradually replace one product with another over a period of 7-10 days. This is necessary for the soft adaptation of the internal organs. An exception is possible if the pet has a sharp exacerbation. You also don't need a slow transition when using rehabilitation products.
5. Feeding standards must be observed. It is advisable to discuss this issue with the treating veterinarian during an in-person consultation. When losing weight or gaining weight, the condition of the pet and the degree of deviation are additionally taken into account.

It is forbidden to mix medicated food with others. It is permissible to combine spider and pelleted rations of the same company after a doctor's permission. Wet and dry foods are fed separately. If the therapeutic diet has abruptly disappeared from the stores, it is allowed to change the brand, but the specialization of the product should be taken into account.

Review of popular manufacturers

Medicinal feed is mainly produced by premium and super premium brands. In most cases, veterinary products cannot meet the requirements for holistics, since the choice of ingredients and the concentration of nutrients are limited. It is difficult to single out a favorite from the list of all manufacturers. In this case, it is recommended to be guided by individual tolerance: if the cat is suitable for food and it feels normal on it, it is advisable not to experiment.

Hill's

The Hills range of therapeutic diets includes foods to combat the following diseases and conditions:

• diabetes;
• overweight;
• pathology of the kidneys and lower urinary tract;
• liver dysfunction;
• gastrointestinal disorders;
• food allergy;
• joint pathology;
• disorders of the thyroid gland.

Additionally, among veterinary feeds, one can find diets for recovery from surgery or stress, as well as a product for the prevention of oral pathologies. The latter helps to remove plaque due to its special texture: in the process of eating the granules, they are pressed inward and mechanically clean the canines. This avoids the formation of calculus.

Hill's Kidney Care food can be used not only for treatment, but also for prevention

The line contains food that helps to improve the quality of life and prevent exacerbations of diseases in unhealthy animals in general. Conditionally it can be called a universal preventive diet. In its composition, the first positions are taken by milled rice, animal fat and corn gluten. In general, this helps to reduce the load on the gastrointestinal tract, since the ingredients are presented in a processed form, but the animal will clearly be deficient in animal proteins. It is recommended to monitor the pet's condition and, if uncharacteristic signs appear, contact your veterinarian to resolve the issue of changing the diet.

For a general assessment of the veterinary diet, consider one sample. For example, let's take a diet for animals with food allergies. His assessment is the most revealing, since in general the cat does not need individual changes in the balance of nutrients, but in food without cheap fillers and potentially dangerous ingredients.

The composition includes the following components:

• ground rice;
• rice protein concentrate;
• hydrolyzate of chicken liver;
• soybean oil;
• cellulose;
• minerals;
• animal fat;
• protein hydrolyzate;
• taurine;
• vitamins;
• trace elements;
• beta carotene;
• natural antioxidant (mixture of tocopherols).

In general, the food really helps to eliminate allergic reactions when it comes to cereals. Rice rarely causes intolerances due to the lack of gluten. The diet is suitable for cats with sensitive digestion and gastrointestinal pathologies, since it contains processed ingredients: rice protein concentrate, chicken liver hydrolyzate, etc. Soy is a potential allergen, but it is safer than wheat and corn. Doubt is also caused by animal fat: it is important for owners of sensitive pets to know the origin of the components. Chicken liver can trigger a reaction if you are allergic to bird protein.

The composition of the food causes ambiguous impressions: on the one hand, the recipe may really suit some cats, on the other, the list of ingredients is far from ideal.

The key disadvantage of the feed is the almost complete lack of meat. The only animal products in the composition are liver and fats. Protein hydrolyzate could have been obtained from plant components, so we do not take it into account. There are no easily digestible amino acids in the feed, which can provoke a deterioration in the condition. In addition, the list of ingredients still contains potential allergens - soy and chicken liver hydrolyzate. I would give the stern a four with a minus. When my sister's cat developed allergies, he began to brush himself until it bleeds. Because of the intolerable itching and wounds, an urgent alternative was required for the duration of treatment, which became "Hills". The cat was on a diet for a month, then he was transferred to a grain-free diet. The itching of the pet subsided in about 3-5 days, but during the treatment he became lethargic and apathetic, the skin began to peel off. Perhaps this was due to a deficiency of proteins, since after changing the feed, the state of health improved.

The advantages of the brand include the presence of both dry and wet products in the veterinary line. The average cost of spiders (85 g) is 70-80 rubles, canned food (156 g) - 120-140 rubles. The price of dry food is 400–450 rubles. for 400 g, 1200-1300 rubles. for 1.5 kg, 3000–3500 rubles. for 5 kg and 6500-7000 rubles. for 10 kg. Taking into account the composition, the cost can be called overstated: it consists not so much of the cost price and quality of the components, but of the brand's popularity. The company's products can be purchased at almost any pet store.

Royal canin

Royal Canin is a popular brand that is famous for its veterinary line. In the treatment series, you can find food to eliminate the following pathologies and conditions:

• overweight;
• diabetes;
• food allergy;
• digestive disorders;
• liver disease;
• renal failure;
• diseases of the lower parts of the urinary system;
• rehabilitation and stress;
• hypersensitive skin.

Additionally, the company produces products to support joint health and oral hygiene. The first contains several prophylactic additives at once: cartilage, mollusc flour and crustacean shells. In other areas, the feed cannot boast of anything: the first two positions in the list of ingredients are occupied by corn flour and wheat gluten. The product is able to improve the condition of the cartilage, but with prolonged use it will worsen the general well-being of the pet. In addition, the likelihood of allergies is high.

The feed cannot be used in case of systemic pathologies due to the lack of easily digestible proteins, vitamins and minerals

For a general assessment, consider in detail the composition of the wet diet for animals with hypersensitive skin. In the list of ingredients, you can see the following positions:

• pork and chicken;
• pork and chicken liver;
• salmon;
• Wheat flour;
• cellulose;
• minerals;
• sunflower oil;
• fish fat;
• gelling agent;
• taurine;
• yeast hydrolyzate (source of mannan oligosaccharides);
• marigold extract (source of lutein);
• vitamins.

At first glance, the composition of the feed is good: the first positions are occupied by pork, chicken, liver and salmon. Wheat flour is present, but its proportion is lower than the amount of meat products. In reality, things are not so good. In wet food, the proportion of meat can be added to the water. It contains taurine, which indicates that there are too few animal products in the diet. If the feed contained sufficient quality meat, pure amino acids would not be added to it.

Despite the mediocre composition, the product copes with its task well. It is intended for animals with sensitive skin, i.e. it must contain unsaturated fatty acids and vitamins. Liver, salmon, sunflower oil and fish oil are used as a source of nutrients. True, in terms of price and quality ratio, the food loses to analogues: you can find a super-premium diet or holistic with fish for the same money, but with a better composition. However, the product suited my friend's cat. He underwent rehabilitation after allergy treatment: the main symptoms were gone, but the skin continued to peel off. A month later, the condition improved. There were no side effects, but despite the usual composition in general, it is better not to use the food for daily meals.

The key advantage of the line is a wide range and availability of wet feed

The price of Royal Canin products is greatly overpriced. The average cost of a spider (100 g) is 70–80 rubles, 1 kg of dry food - 900–1000 rubles. This is despite the fact that many of the company's feeds practically do not contain meat, and they contain cheap cereals that can cause allergies. However, in most cases, foods help to quickly improve the condition of the animal. Royal Canin rations can be found in any pet store.

Purina

Purina is another popular premium food line. The veterinary series includes products for the treatment of the following pathologies and conditions:

• diseases of the lower urinary tract;
• obesity;
• disruption of the kidneys;
• liver failure;
• allergy;
• digestive disorders;
• diseases of the oral cavity.

The line also includes a diet for rehabilitation and recovery. The buyer is offered a wide assortment: most of the products are produced in granulated and canned form. The cost of feed is approximately 700–1000 rubles. per 1 kg, depending on the packaging. The price of canned food is 75 rubles. for 85 g and 150 rubles. for 195. You can buy the company's products in almost any pet store.

The presence of large cans in the line is a tangible advantage, since in most cases pets do not eat up in one package

As an example, consider the composition of food for overweight cats. The list of components contains the following items:

• corn gluten;
• wheat gluten;
• products of processing of vegetable raw materials;
• dry poultry protein;
• Wheat flour;
• alimentary fiber;
• flavoring feed additive;
• minerals;
• animal fat;
• fish fat;
• yeast;
• vitamins;
• antioxidants.

Formally, the food copes with the main task: the calorie content is only 310 kcal per 100 g. However, the diet clearly does not contribute to healthy weight loss. The first three positions in the composition are occupied by plant components, and cheap ones, cereals are not even whole. These are corn, wheat and processed products, which are completely difficult to classify in any way. In some cats, this abundance of carbohydrates and the almost complete lack of protein and fat can lead to increased appetite due to low nutritional value. With strict calorie restriction, the animal will lose weight, but the same effect can be achieved with any other feed. The Purina diet can cause a deterioration in health and severe hunger due to a deficiency of nutrients.

Eukanuba

Eukanuba was once famous for the quality of its products, but a few years ago the rights to the brand were bought by Mars Corporation, which produces Royal Canin feeds. Since then, the quality of ready-made rations has gradually deteriorated due to the use of cheap raw materials.

In the veterinary line, you can find products to combat the following diseases and conditions:

• intestinal disorders and pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract;
• ICD;
• kidney disease;
• obesity;
• sensitive digestion;
• dermatological pathologies.

The company also produces canned food for rehabilitation after stress or surgery. Most rations are supplied both dry and wet. An exception is food for cats with dermatological diseases. It is produced only in the form of canned food. The cost of 1 kg of dry food is about 500–700 rubles, for spiders (85 g) - 60 rubles. Now it is difficult to find a veterinary line on sale, since there are supply disruptions. The main treatment series for the Mars corporation remains the Royal Canin.

The brand's line of veterinary feeds is quite modest: many pet owners will not be able to find feed

As an example, consider the composition of dry food for cats with sensitive digestion. The following components can be found in the list:

• dried poultry and turkey (natural source of taurine);
• lamb (14%);
• rice (14%);
• corn grits;
• animal fat;
• dry sugar beet pulp (2.7%);
• dry whole egg;
• fish flour;
• hydrolyzed animal protein;
• fructooligosaccharides (0.6%);
• potassium chloride;
• dried brewer's yeast;
• fish oil (0.27%);
• sodium chloride;
• calcium carbonate.

Sodium chloride is a salt. If its amount exceeds the norm, it can contribute to the development of ICD and irritate the mucous membranes. Unfortunately, the manufacturer did not indicate the proportion of the substance, so buyers can only take their word for it. Calcium carbonate is white chalk. Subject to dosages, it participates in the regulation of blood pressure and blood clotting.

The composition of the feed is better than that of many analogues. The first 2 positions are occupied by meat components. The good news is that in the case of poultry and turkey, the proportion of water is not taken into account. Beetroot improves digestion, enhances peristalsis and normalizes microflora. Fishmeal and fat contribute to an overall improvement in the condition due to unsaturated fatty acids, but the share of the latter is very small: only 0.27%. The composition contains rice and corn, which worsens the overall picture. Allergies can cause digestive upsets in the animal. You can put a four with a minus on the feed: it will not suit everyone. For example, my friend's cat once caused an allergy.

Farmina

The company is engaged in the production of feed of all classes. Veterinary rations are a cross between premium and super premium categories. The series contains products for the treatment of the following conditions and diseases:

• cardiovascular pathology;
• diabetes;
• digestive disorders;
• liver pathology;
• obesity;
• kidney disease;
• ICD;
• food allergies.

In addition to the veterinary line, there are food for neutered cats and neutered cats, as well as a diet for the prevention of hairball formation. The main disadvantage of "Farmina" products is the absence of pates and canned food among therapeutic diets. The cost of feed varies greatly depending on the variety. The cheapest are preventive diets. Large bags (10 kg) cost 4300–4400 rubles. The price of feed for the prevention of struvite formation is 500–700 rubles. for 1 kg. The cost of the diet for cats with sensitive digestion reaches almost 1000 rubles. for 1 kg. It is not easy to find Farmina feeds on sale, so it is better to order them online.

The manufacturer saves less on the composition and uses more meat, but dry food with ICD is not suitable for all animals

As an example, consider the composition of food for animals with sensitive digestion or allergies. In the list of components, you can see the following names:

• fish protein hydrolyzate;
• rice starch;
• fish fat;
• calcium carbonate;
• fructooligosaccharides (0.6%);
• potassium chloride;
• calcium sulfate dihydrate;
• monodicalcium phosphate;
• sodium chloride;
• calendula extract (source of lutein).

Calcium carbonate (E170) is a regular chalk and is therefore harmless if the dosage is observed. Calcium sulfate (E516) is often used to fill nutrient deficiencies. Monodicalcium phosphate is an approved food additive. Potassium chloride (E508) is also a safe component, so there is nothing scary in the composition, as it might seem at first glance, there is.

The Farmina feed meets the requirements well. All components are named, the source of origin of fats and fish has been specified. The ingredients are easily digestible. Proteins, fats and carbohydrates are provided by only one source, which is welcome in the case of hypoallergenic feed. The only thing that remains in question is the proportion of meat components. It would be better if the manufacturer indicated the percentage. In this form, cereals in second place are questionable: they are probably used to reduce costs as a filler. However, among the samples under consideration, "Farmina" occupies a leading position. The cost of the feed is comparable to the advertised premium lines. In practice, such food is cheaper, since the diet contains more meat components.

Pet owners reviews

Veterinarian reviews

Veterinary medicated food helps to stabilize the pet's condition, but only if the doctor's recommendations are followed and used correctly. It is advisable not to save on specialized diets, since the life and health of the pet depend on them, but you also need to choose a product carefully: often potentially dangerous recipes are hidden under popular brands. However, sometimes good in composition feeds cause side effects, so in most cases it is possible to calculate a suitable diet only empirically.