What’s new in dog and cat nutrition: Key takeaways from ECVIM-CA 2025
- Ecommercy
- 2026-09-22
- 16:14
- 0 comments
The annual ECVIM-CA scientific congress is one of the most important events in European veterinary medicine. It is where some of the latest research on nutrition, gastroenterology, nephrology and endocrinology in dogs and cats is presented.
Our latest webinar reviewing this year’s findings provides a collection of practical insights that may have a real impact on the way animals are managed – both in veterinary practice and in their owners’ everyday care.
Below are the key topics discussed during the session. If you want to stay up to date with reliable, evidence-based knowledge, the full webinar is well worth watching.
How much should a dog or cat eat?
Every owner should know how much their dog or cat should be eating. To determine this accurately, we need to assess the animal objectively, evaluate their body condition and, importantly, weigh them. Owners often have a distorted perception of their pet’s body condition, and the number on the scales can come as a surprise. Age and activity level are also important factors.
Once we have this information, it may seem that all we need to do is find the appropriate feeding recommendation on the food packaging and follow it.
However, owners should be aware that feeding guidelines on packaging are generalised and based on averages. They do not take into account an individual animal’s health status or activity level. Recommended portions are also often provided for weight ranges – yet a 5 kg dog has different calorie requirements from an 8 kg dog. Feeding guidelines also fail to account for treats and rewards, which can contribute significantly to a dog’s daily calorie intake.
So how should we accurately calculate an animal’s calorie requirements?
Puppy nutrition – a new perspective on a familiar topic
Lectures on the nutrition of young dogs introduced several important updates to existing recommendations.
Key takeaways:
• Optimal puppy nutrition requires control of both energy intake and mineral balance, particularly calcium and phosphorus.
• Excessively rapid growth caused by excessive calorie intake increases the risk of skeletal disorders.
• Phosphorus deficiency is being observed in an increasing number of puppies and may lead to skeletal deformities.
• The best outcomes may be achieved when a puppy receives approximately 80% of the standard calorie requirement while still receiving a complete supply of essential nutrients.
• Growth should be monitored using growth charts rather than relying solely on body condition score (BCS).
Antibiotic treatment and the risk of enteropathy – new evidence in adult animals
One of the most interesting topics concerned the latest research into the consequences of antibiotic treatment. Until recently, the risk of antibiotic-associated enteropathies was thought to primarily affect young animals. The latest findings challenge this view: adult dogs and cats may also develop chronic intestinal disorders following antibiotic treatment.
The full section explores:
• the impact of microbiota disturbances on intestinal function,
• the role of diet in restoring intestinal balance,
• new preventive strategies in gastrointestinal management.
Strategic support for gastrointestinal health
One of the most extensive sections of the webinar focused on factors affecting healthy gastrointestinal function in dogs and cats.
Topics discussed included:
• the importance of highly digestible diets,
• the role of different types of fibre,
• the effects of protein and fat on stool quality,
• dietary strategies for modulating the microbiome,
• preventive approaches for sensitive patients.
Kidney stones in cats – new risk factors
The webinar also provided an update on feline nephrolithiasis, highlighting several new risk factors identified in recent studies.
Key takeaways:
• diet plays an important role in influencing the risk of stone formation,
• hydration and increasing urine volume are crucial,
• precise control of mineral intake can help reduce the risk of recurrence,
• nutritional strategies are available that can measurably reduce the likelihood of crystallisation.
This is a particularly important topic given the number of cats presented to veterinary practices with urinary tract problems.
Hypercalcaemia in cats with CKD – the role of nutrition and supplementation
The final section discussed new approaches to supporting cats with chronic kidney disease accompanied by hypercalcaemia.
Based on current research, the webinar covered:
• the impact of dietary composition on calcium levels,
• opportunities for support through appropriately selected supplementation,
• strategies for stabilising mineral balance without compromising kidney function,
• current recommendations regarding protein, phosphorus and calcium balance in the diets of nephrology patients.
Why is the full webinar worth watching?
The webinar provides an accessible yet expert overview of the latest trends and research presented at one of Europe’s leading veterinary conferences. Each section offers specific, practical insights into the management of growing animals and patients with gastrointestinal disorders, metabolic diseases, kidney disease or obesity.