OTC Functional Diets: A Great Tool, but Don’t

Holly Kenseth and Peter Kenseth

From March 24th-26th, we had the pleasure of attending the Global Pet Expo, Dinners are “formulated with nutritionists and experts,” and SquarePet notes that its which like so many other things in the past year was impacted by COVID-19. Ordinarily, the event is held at an exhibit hall that is the size of three football fields, but this year’s iteration was hosted entirely online through a digital platform. More than 250 companies presented virtual exhibits, where they featured new product innovations in the pet food, treat, and supplement space.

One of the most notable trends to arise at the show was a proliferation of new food products that claimed to offer functional benefits or targeted nutrition. Of the products that claimed to offer functional benefits, digestive formulations were most common, followed by joint, weight management, and skin & coat claims. Interestingly, a year after the DCM study, the prevalence of heart-related claims in functional diets dropped precipitously. Although many of the manufacturers of these functional diets cited the ingredient formulations that allowed them to make their claim of functional benefits, none were supported by clinical data.

For example, WellPet released Wellness CORE Digestive Health, which is “crafted with prebiotic fiber, probiotics, and superfoods to support digestive health.” While no one can deny that these ingredients support good digestive health, the claim is based upon the ingredient formulation and commonsense nutrition wisdom, not clinical science. Similarly, Wellness CORE Bowl Boosters claim to offer skin & coat, joint, digestive, and heart health benefits. Other functional launches included “Zen Life” (calming) and “On the Move” (joint) functional formulations from Natural Balance, and the Nutrisca line from Dogswell (hip & joint, skin & coat, and digestive health.

However, while many of the functional diets released at Global Pet were promoted on their nutritional merits, some releases bore a strong resemblance to a prescription diet that would be administered by a veterinarian. Evanger’s released EVx Restricted Diet Dinners, with formulations such as Bland Diet, Urinary Tract, Weight Management, Low Phosphorus, and Senior & Joint Health. Similarly, SquarePet launched SquarePet VFS, with Skin & Digestive Support, Low-Fat, Active Joints, Ideal Digestion, and Low Phosphorus formulations. Evanger advertises that its EVx Restricted Diet Summer 2021 products are “formulated by veterinarians including [a] board-certified veterinary nutritionist.” Still, the strong similarity to a prescription diet made us wonder: is there a danger in pet parents having overthe-counter access to these diets? Are we entering a stage where pet parents may begin a practice of self-diagnosis and treatment of their dogs or cats? We reached out to Dr. Ryan Canales at Long Trail Veterinary Center in Williston, VT for his thoughts on the matter, and he noted that many pet owners will opt for an OTC product because of the high cost of prescription diets from manufacturers like Hill’s, Royal Canin, and Purina. While the cost of prescription diets is high, Dr. Canales noted that it is important to remember that prescription diets should be thought of as medications and that their OTC counterparts do not undergo the same level of clinical testing as prescription diets. Additionally, many prescription diets are manufactured in closed facilities, eliminating any chance of cross-contamination. “The OTC diets themselves, they probably aren’t going to hurt your pet on their own,” said Dr. Canales. “However, where people get into trouble, is when their pet really needs the prescription diet, and they opt to switch to an OTC diet that claims to address the same health concern. Take urinary diets in cats, for example. I cannot tell you how many times I see clients who bring their cats in with urinary problems, and we prescribe a urinary diet, like Royal Canin Urinary SO. And then a few months later, that client is back, and I ask what diet they have the cat on, and they have switched to an OTC product that claims to address urinary symptoms. The OTC products, just do not have the same levels of efficacy, so the risk you run is that you’re going to end up seeing recurring symptoms if you switch off the prescription diet. Whereas, with the prescription diet, I rarely see cats who stay on SO, and have recurring symptoms.” “But what about healthy pets?” we asked. “What are the risks of giving your healthy dog or cat a functional diet that they may not need?” Again, Dr. Canales noted that the diet itself would not likely cause harm to the pet, although he did note that pet owners should take advantage of their relationship with their veterinarian to ensure that they were making an informed choice about their pet’s diet.

“I’d say it’s not likely to cause problems, but I’d want to look at each diet individually before telling people that all of these functional diets are safe,” Dr. Canales told us. “Take digestive diets – not all of them are created equal. What ingredients are they using that is allowing them to make that claim? I am always happy to call up pet food manufacturers and ask for more details behind their diets. It is one of those things – people are becoming less and less likely to turn to their veterinarian for advice about their pet, but your veterinarian can work with you to help make sure you are making the best choice about the diet that your pet needs. Nobody really talks about carbs, fats, or minerals, but those are all important components of a pet’s diet. However, most of the marketing I see these days is focused on protein content.”

When it comes to OTC functional diets, Dr. Canales raises an important point. These diets are not likely to hurt your pet, but it is worth consulting your veterinarian to make sure that your pet is receiving the purported benefits of the diet you choose to provide. If your pet is truly in need of a prescription diet, attempting to “band-aid” the situation with an OTC diet may end up causing greater medical issues for your pet. If your pet is healthy, OTC functional diets can be a great dietary option, but it is still worth discussing with your veterinarian to ensure that your pet is truly in need of the functional benefits that the diet provides. Your vet can call the manufacturer and work with you to make an informed decision that truly considers your pet as an individual.

In the new age of pet parenting, it is critical to remember that a good pediatrician has always been one of the most valuable resources at a parent’s disposal when it comes to the wellbeing of their children. The same adage can be applied to our “fur babies” – a good veterinarian can help to ensure that a pet parent’s desire to provide the best possible care does not result in unintended harm.