Therapeutic diets - is the investment justified?
A therapeutic diet, also called a prescription (RX) diet is one that is formulated to meet a specific need or to prevent a disease from reoccurring or getting worse.
Pet owners can purchase therapeutic diets only via a licensed veterinarian, who must diagnose the disease and write a prescription.
Do you legally need a prescription?
One major pet food company owns a patent for the name “prescription diet”.
Competing pet food companies are forced to use a different name, for example “therapeutic diet” or “veterinary diet” to avoid a lawsuit.
A statement was made in 2010 by the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine saying that because prescription pet food diets are marketed to cure or treat disease, they are “considered drugs under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.”
This statement prompted an outcry from veterinarians and the public demanding clarification. The FDA removed this statement from their website.
- Veterinary diets do not contain prescription drugs.
- Veterinary diets do not label “Caution: Federal law restricts this drug to sale by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.”
- Veterinary diets are taxed the same as OTC products.
Legally speaking, one would not need a prescription to purchase these diets. The decision to require a veterinarian “prescription” to sell these diets was made by the pet food producers.
Many consumers dislike this sales channel strategy. I would argue it is a safety measure taken to assure therapeutic diets are only used under veterinary supervision.
Veterinarians are trained to diagnose and monitor disease stages in companion animals. Pet owners turn to veterinarians first when they sense a health issue in their animals.
The FDA approves drugs prescribed by veterinarians that cure or mitigate diseases. Therefore, veterinarians need to be aware how therapeutic diets that can impact animal health are distributed.
What are the differences – commercial diet versus prescription diet?
Commercial diets are formulated to meet the nutritional requirements for complete and balanced pet food according to the American Association of Feed Officials (AAFC).
The pet food diets are tested in a professional setting for taste and in an accredited laboratory for the nutrient amount to make sure the product meets the nutritional needs according to the life stage of the animal. The label will show that the product is FORMULATED to meet the nutritional guidelines.
“___________ is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog (or cat) Food Nutrient Profiles for ___________.”
The first blank must show the product name (the same name on the front of the package).
The statement says if the product is for cats or dogs.
The second blank says what life stage the product is for. (1)
Very few companies perform FEEDING tests with their pet food products. If feeding tests are performed the manufacturer can announce this on the label to differentiate and let consumers know about it.
“Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that ______________ provides complete and balanced nutrition for _____________.”
The first blank must show the product name (the same name on the front of the package).
The second blank says what life stage the product is for
“AAFCO procedures” are standardized feeding protocols that define how feeding trials are to be conducted and assessed. (2)
Prescription diets are clinically studied by the manufacturer of the products. Macro and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, protein, fats, carbohydrates, and other nutritional components) are monitored carefully to determine their effect on the disease condition.
All ingredients going into these diets are screened for macro- and micronutrients. The final product must undergo specific and expensive laboratory testing and feeding trials.
Many pet owners look at the ingredient deck to compare it to their over-the-counter products. And wonder why the ingredient deck looks similar. They feel betrayed and believe the product is overpriced.
Why are these diets so much more expensive?
Some pet owners ask their veterinarian why these diets are so much more expensive compared to OTC products. The ingredient deck looks very similar to the commercial pet food.
They are more expensive because:
- more research went into the development of these diets.
- new ingredients underwent a costly approval process for use in pet food.
- stringent quality control of the ingredients.
- stringent quality control of the final diet.
Let’s look at one specific example – a diet for urinary health for cats containing a low-ash chicken meal. We know many cats suffer from urinary health issues during their lifetime. It is painful to life-threatening, and some cats must undergo surgery to remove blockages. Responsible veterinarians recommend a urinary health diet once they have confirmed the nature of the blockage and to avoid this from happening again.
1. Research was needed to determine the different forms of stones formed in feline urinary tracts. (high phosphorus content was found to be one contributing factor to stone formation)
2. Research was needed to determine how nutrition adjustments can prevent the formation of stones. (what minimum levels of phosphorus does a cat need?)
3. Research had to be transferred into diet formulation. (how can the phosphorus content be lowered, what ingredients contribute most?)
4. Ingredients need to be monitored for low phosphorus content. (ash/bone content of chicken products).
5. Final diet needs to be monitored for low phosphorus content.
Petfood research is not funded or substituted by the Government. Research is solely done by private pet food companies. The urinary health research has been a life saver for many cats.
Attached is a link to the FDA protocol how data for cat food labels stating urinary health claims must be obtained:
This guideline protocol, developed by the Center of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), gives manufacturers a framework of the research that needs to be concluded to obtain permission for a urinary health claim on a cat food diet.
The protocol must be submitted and approved by the CVM before the research is conducted. Details include:
1. How to formulate the diet.
2. How the animals must be housed.
3. Blood chemistry tests.
4. Statistical methods.
The FDA also reviews other specific claims on pet food, such as “low magnesium,” and “hairball control.” Pet food manufacturers must work closely with the FDA and CVM to get protocols reviewed and approved. Health claims on pet food product are closely reviewed during state registrations. States have the right to ask for data or request changes to labels before pet products are put on the shelves.
What kind of therapeutic diets are available?
If you are wondering if a therapeutic diet is right for your pet, consider:
Has your pet struggled with life threatening urinary issues?
Has your pet been diagnosed with a life-threatening serious condition like kidney failure?
Have they had severe digestive issues?
Are they dealing with severe allergies, and you have explored many options?
Certain diseases are common to cats or dogs, for example diabetes or obesity.
Think critically about the disease your animal is suffering from. Does it truly require a special diet?
In some cases, a close look at the current feeding regimen, the disease and issues could spark some critical thinking.
Is your pet obese? Should you purchase a specific weight management diet OR just simply adjust your feeding habits?
Is your pet highly allergic? Did the hydrolyzed diet improve your pets and your quality of life?
Have a discussion with your veterinarian if you are not sure why he thinks a therapeutic diet is best for your animal. Therapeutic diets have been a life saver in many cases. Every situation is unique and you as a pet owner should be fully informed of the pros and cons of every medical treatment for your animal.
As always, be critical and ask the right questions.
(1) https://www.aafco.org/consumers/understanding-pet-food/reading-labels/#adequacy
https://www.aafco.org/consumers/understanding-pet-food/reading-labels/#adequacy