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Dietetic dog food: what a particular nutritional purpose is

Advice · · Forza10

A person sits on the floor of a flat, stroking a dog whose head rests on their knee

Some foods carry the word “dietetic” next to their name. It isn’t a label for light food, and it isn’t advertising. The word is reserved by EU law and appears only on feed intended for particular nutritional purposes.

What dietetic food is

Regulation (EC) No 767/2009 describes it as feed which can satisfy a particular nutritional purpose by virtue of its particular composition or method of manufacture, which clearly distinguishes it from ordinary feed. It’s still feed. Medicated feed does not belong in this group.

Which nutritional purposes exist

The manufacturer doesn’t choose for itself which nutritional purposes a dietetic food can have. The list is in Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/354. For each purpose it says what essential characteristics the food should have, which animals it is intended for, what must be on the label and how long it is recommended to use it for.

Here are a few of the purposes on that list for dogs:

  • reduction of ingredient and nutrient intolerances,
  • support of skin function in the case of dermatosis and excessive loss of hair,
  • reduction of excessive body weight,
  • support of the metabolism of joints in the case of osteoarthritis.

What you’ll find on the label

Besides the composition and analytical constituents, the label of a dietetic food also has:

  • the word “dietetic” with the name of the food,
  • its particular nutritional purpose and the other details the regulation lays down for it,
  • an indication that the opinion of a nutrition expert or veterinarian should be sought before using the feed or before extending its period of use.

Why choose together with your vet

Every dietetic food is intended for something specific. Your vet knows your dog and can talk through with you which nutritional purpose makes sense for it and how long to use the food. So you choose the food together with your vet, according to what your dog needs.

How it works at Forza10

The Active VetDiet range offers dietetic feed for particular nutritional purposes: each recipe states its purpose on the label together with the advice to consult a veterinarian before use. In the overview of diets you’ll find each one’s particular nutritional purpose, full composition, analytical constituents and feeding table.

It is recommended that a veterinarian’s opinion be sought before use or before extending the period of use.

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