Use nutrition assessment to guide diabetes care in dogs and cats

Martha Cline, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition), is a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and senior manager for veterinary technical communications at Purina who still provides clinical support in practice. In a dvm360 interview she answers practical, clinic-facing questions about why nutrition assessment matters at diagnosis and how that perspective changes diet selection for diabetic dogs and cats.

Editor’s note: This Q&A was drafted from an audio interview. The responses from Cline have been lightly edited for clarity and flow in a written format.

dvm360: How does your nutrition background frame your perspective when treating a diabetic dog or cat?
Cline: “Nutrition assessment is going to be really essential in a newly diagnosed diabetic dog and cat. It's not just managing them medically—we also want to try to manage their dietary plan. We have to remember that nutrition assessment is not just about the diet, it's also about feeding management and assessing the patient. When we have all of those things considered together, we can make good nutrition recommendations. Especially for newly diagnosed diabetics, because we know nutrition can really help in management, it’s important to do that assessment and then make recommendations for that pet and that pet owner.”

dvm360: When you’re choosing a therapeutic diet, what clinical factors drive your decision?
Cline: “First, make sure you have a complete nutrition assessment before making a diet recommendation. Focus on the animal and any comorbidities they may have, because those conditions can change what diet is appropriate. Also take into account feeding management. Diabetes management changes daily life for the owner, so understand the household environment and what the owner can realistically do. For example, in a multi-pet or multi-cat household where you’re making specific recommendations for one animal, plan how to implement that recommendation so it’s manageable from a feeding-environment standpoint.”

dvm360: Any species-specific expectations to set (cats vs. dogs)?
Cline: “In cats, some newly diagnosed diabetics may have the opportunity to go into remission. That outcome is linked to diet changes plus overall disease and environment management. Not all cats will go into remission, but some can, and diet plays a role. In dogs, remission isn’t expected, but diet and body-weight management can make controlling the disease easier. Diet won’t ‘cure’ diabetes in dogs, but it can help manage the disease process.”

dvm360: What should clinicians document and communicate as part of the nutrition assessment?
Cline: “Document the diet currently fed, amount and frequency, treats and snacks, how meals are offered, and the household feeding environment (multi-pet issues, feeding access, who feeds). Note any comorbidities, appetite changes, body-condition score and recent weight trends. Then provide a tailored feeding plan: food choice, exact portions (calculated), frequency and guidance on treats, and what to do if the pet won’t eat a meal.”

dvm360: Is there one single takeaway you want veterinarians to remember?
Cline: “Take the time to give a specific feeding recommendation. That includes the food, feeding amounts and frequency, and don’t forget treats. Being specific increases compliance and helps owners feel less overwhelmed.”

Clinics interested in Purina’s diabetes kit (sample therapeutic bags plus practice resources) can enroll at usa.petdiabetesmonth.com.