Cortisone, or more accurately glucocorticoids, is commonly used in veterinary practice. It may be prescribed for allergies, dermatological conditions, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune or immune-mediated disorders, and many other clinical cases.
However, when a dog or cat is receiving cortisone therapy, nutrition should not remain unchanged “out of habit.” Treatment can affect appetite, thirst, urination, body weight, glucose metabolism, muscle mass, and the animal’s overall metabolic status. For this reason, the nutritional strategy should be adapted to the individual animal, the underlying disease, and the duration of treatment.
Cortisone has potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, which is precisely why it can be highly valuable therapeutically. At the same time, prolonged or higher exposure to glucocorticoids may be associated with polyphagia, polydipsia, polyuria, weight gain, muscle atrophy, hyperglycemia, and increased susceptibility to infections. The severity of these adverse effects is influenced by the dose, duration, type of glucocorticoid, and the animal’s individual sensitivity.
One of the first things guardians often notice is that the animal seems hungrier. This does not mean it needs unlimited additional food. Increased appetite can very easily lead to overconsumption, especially when food is freely available or when extra treats are added “because it’s hungry.” In such cases, the first rule is calorie control: measured portions, no continuous refilling of the bowl, and treats only as a small, calculated part of the daily nutritional plan.
In clinical nutrition, treats should generally not exceed approximately 10% of daily caloric intake, as otherwise they dilute the nutritional value of the complete diet and add unnecessary calories. This becomes even more important when cortisone increases hunger and makes self-regulation more difficult for the animal.
The second major consideration is protein intake and muscle mass. Long-term exposure to cortisone may increase muscle catabolism. Therefore, the goal is not simply to “prevent weight gain.” The objective is to preserve, as much as possible, healthy body composition and functional lean body mass. This requires adequate, high-quality protein, always tailored to the animal’s medical history, renal function, age, and other clinical parameters.
For this reason, body weight alone is not sufficient. An animal may gain weight while simultaneously losing muscle mass. Assessment should include Body Condition Score (BCS) and Muscle Condition Score (MCS), tools recommended in international nutritional assessment guidelines for dogs and cats.
Special attention should also be paid to glucose metabolism. Glucocorticoids can increase blood glucose levels and may further burden animals that are already overweight, prediabetic, or diabetic. In cats, where obesity and reduced insulin sensitivity are particularly important considerations, nutritional monitoring becomes even more critical. In such cases, diets should not be changed “blindly.” They should be adjusted according to body weight, BCS, appetite, laboratory findings, and therapeutic goals. Hyperglycemia and clinical signs such as polyphagia, polydipsia, and polyuria are key components in the assessment of diabetic animals.
Another common issue is increased thirst and urination. Cortisone may cause animals to drink more water and urinate more frequently. This does not mean water intake should be restricted. On the contrary, access to clean water is essential. What does require attention is salty human foods and snacks, such as processed meats, cheeses, salty treats, or table scraps. “Give it something because it’s hungry” should not turn into inappropriate human food choices.
Proper nutrition also always depends on the underlying disease. In dermatological cases, calorie control, appropriate protein selection, and often an omega-3 fatty acid strategy may be required. In gastrointestinal cases, highly digestible nutrition may be necessary. In renal or cardiac patients, diet selection becomes even more careful. In diabetic patients, nutrition and monitoring must be even more targeted.
There is therefore no single “cortisone diet.” What exists is an individualized nutritional intervention for the specific animal receiving cortisone therapy, based on species, body weight, body composition, disease, dose, and duration of treatment.
In practice, we monitor body weight, Body Condition Score, Muscle Condition Score, water intake, appetite, behavior, glucose levels, and other laboratory markers where appropriate. Monitoring is not an optional step; it is part of the treatment itself. Follow-up assessments help ensure timely adjustments to both the quantity and type of food, reducing nutritional errors and better supporting the animal’s overall clinical course.
At NutriVets, nutrition for animals receiving cortisone is not approached as a generic feeding program or simply a matter of reducing food quantity. We evaluate the clinical context, medical history, pharmacological treatment, body composition, risk of weight gain, lean body mass, and the animal’s actual nutritional requirements.
The right nutritional strategy can reduce dietary mistakes, support weight management, better preserve muscle mass, and make treatment more manageable for the guardian.
Book an appointment with NutriVets for an individualized nutrition plan for a dog or cat receiving cortisone therapy.
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