Dr. Cecilia Villaverde on Managing Comorbidities with Nutrition

All Cats Considered – Episode 301

For our March 2025 JFMS Clinical Spotlight episode, we are joined by Cecilia Villaverde, BVSc, PhD, DECVCN, DACVIM (Nutrition) to discuss her article, “Feline comorbidities: a nutritional approach to management.” Dr. Villaverde dives into the complexities of nutritional management for cats with multiple health conditions. She emphasizes the critical role of thorough nutritional assessments, including physical examinations and detailed diet histories, taking a practical, step-by-step approach to developing personalized nutritional plans. This includes creating a “wish list” of strategies for each condition, prioritizing based on compatibility of nutritional goals and patient needs. She also covers the practical aspects of feeding plans, such as diet selection, portion control, and feeding methods, tailored to individual cats.

The pros and cons of commercial diets versus homemade diets are explored, as well as practical tips for dietary transitions that allow for a slow, patient approach that minimizes caregiver stress. Dr. Villaverde additionally explains the importance of comparing nutrient content on a calorie basis for accurate comparisons rather than the “as-fed” approach.

For additional resources:

JFMS Clinical Spotlight: Feline comorbidities: a nutritional approach to management

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