My cat has been diagnosed with cancer. Should I feed her differently?

Cats with cancer often lose their appetites. Getting them to eat can be a challenge, but without nutritional support, they can lose weight so fast that it becomes harder for them to recover from the disease.

The dietary needs of cats with cancer are not fully understood, but experts recommend certain guidelines. Reduce the amount of simple carbohydrate and highly digestible protein in the diet, and include more Omega-3 fatty acids. And don't forget water, the most important nutrient. Offer moist food that smells great, warm it up, and keep the animal's environment calm and quiet.

If your sick cat won't eat, your veterinarian may suggest medications to increase appetite, or, if that fails, the use of a "stomach tube."

– Dr. Larry McDaniel, DVM for the “Purina® Animal Instincts” Podcast Series

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