FUNCTIONAL HEALTH GUIDE -- THE NUTRITIONAL DECISION TREE

FUNCTIONAL PET NUTRITION DECISION TREE

Lab-Driven Nutrition for Dogs & Cats

STEP 1: START WITH BASELINE DATA (REQUIRED)

Before changing diet, obtain:

  • CBC
  • Comprehensive chemistry
  • Urinalysis (with pH & sediment)
  • Body condition score
  • Diet history (protein source, format, treats, supplements)

Optional but strongly recommended in HPLL patients:

  • SDMA
  • Phosphorus
  • Triglycerides & cholesterol
  • Blood glucose ± fructosamine
  • Taurine (cats, grain-free dogs)
  • B12 & folate
  • Blood pressure
  • Fecal analysis (if GI signs)

STEP 2: SCREEN FOR RED FLAGS THAT DICTATE DIET CHOICE

A. Kidney Stress Present?

Indicators:

  • SDMA ↑
  • Creatinine ↑
  • Phosphorus ↑
  • Isosthenuria or dilute urine

Nutrition Direction:

  • Increase dietary moisture (non-negotiable)
  • Moderate (not low) high-quality protein
  • Reduce phosphorus burden
  • Avoid ultra-processed kibble
  • Favor gently cooked or balanced home-prepared diets

Avoid:

  • Raw diets in advanced kidney disease
  • High-phosphorus meats without binders

B. Liver Stress or Bile Abnormalities?

Indicators:

  • ALT / ALP ↑
  • Low BUN
  • Elevated bile acids
  • Ammonium biurate crystals

Nutrition Direction:

  • Highly digestible proteins
  • Moderate fat
  • Avoid copper excess
  • Consider vegetarian or mixed-protein diets (dogs only)

Cats: animal protein required, but adjust digestibility and fat load.

C. Evidence of Inflammation?

Indicators:

  • Elevated globulins
  • Chronic ear disease
  • Skin disease
  • GI signs
  • Orthopedic pain
  • Elevated triglycerides

Nutrition Direction:

  • Eliminate ultra-processed diets
  • Reduce AGE exposure
  • Simplify ingredients
  • Consider omega-3 optimization
  • Evaluate carbohydrate load

STEP 3: ALLERGY & IMMUNE REACTIVITY PATHWAY

Signs Suggestive of Food Sensitivity:

  • Chronic itching
  • Recurrent otitis
  • Licking/chewing paws
  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Anal gland disease

STEP 3A: Perform Elimination Trial

Requirements:

  • Single novel protein OR hydrolyzed protein
  • No treats, flavored meds, or supplements
  • Duration: 8–12 weeks

If symptoms improve:
→ Maintain simplified diet long-term
→ Avoid protein rotation unless needed

If symptoms persist:
→ Food allergy unlikely
→ Proceed to environmental or GI workup

Vegetarian Diet Branch (Dogs Only)

Consider if:

  • Severe protein hypersensitivity
  • Multiple failed elimination trials
  • GI inflammation persists

Requirements:

  • Professionally formulated
  • Amino acid sufficiency confirmed
  • Ongoing lab monitoring

Never for cats.

STEP 4: CARDIAC & TAURINE SAFETY CHECK

Taurine Testing Indicated If:

  • Cat (always preferred)
  • Dog on grain-free or exotic protein diet
  • DCM or murmurs present

If taurine low or borderline:

  • Supplement taurine
  • Reformulate diet
  • Avoid poorly formulated grain-free foods

STEP 5: URINARY TRACT DECISION TREE (CRITICAL)

Urinalysis Review:

  • pH
  • Crystal type
  • Specific gravity
  • Hematuria

A. Alkaline Urine ± Struvite Crystals

Nutrition Direction:

  • Increase moisture
  • Moderate magnesium
  • Avoid excessive plant material
  • Avoid vegetarian diets in cats

B. Acidic Urine ± Calcium Oxalate

Nutrition Direction:

  • Avoid excessive acidification
  • Ensure adequate calcium
  • Avoid high-oxalate ingredients
  • Moderate animal protein excess

C. Urate Crystals or Stones

Nutrition Direction:

  • Reduce purine intake
  • Moderate protein
  • Increase water intake
  • Evaluate liver function

Male Cats (Override Rule):

If male cat + any urinary abnormality:

  • Dry food is contraindicated
  • Moisture intake becomes primary intervention
  • Diet must actively manage pH and minerals
  • Recheck urine regularly

This is life-saving, not optional.

STEP 6: METABOLIC & GLYCEMIC ASSESSMENT

Indicators:

  • Elevated glucose
  • Elevated fructosamine
  • Obesity
  • Elevated triglycerides

Nutrition Direction:

  • Reduce glycemic load
  • Avoid ultra-processed carbs
  • Increase protein quality
  • Increase fiber strategically (dogs)

STEP 7: GI ABSORPTION & MICROBIOME PATHWAY

Low B12 / Folate / Chronic GI Signs

Nutrition Direction:

  • Improve digestibility
  • Reduce ingredient complexity
  • Consider novel protein
  • Evaluate fat tolerance
  • Supplement deficiencies

STEP 8: HOME-COOKED DIET DECISION

If Client Chooses Home-Cooked:

Mandatory Requirements:

  • Professional balancing (e.g., BalanceIt)
  • Regular lab monitoring
  • Taurine supplementation for cats
  • Calcium verification for dogs

Without balancing → NOT APPROVED

STEP 9: ONGOING MONITORING LOOP

Recheck labs:

  • Every 6–12 months (healthy adults)
  • Every 3–6 months (longevity patients)
  • Every 8–12 weeks after major diet change

Nutrition is dynamic, not static.

FINAL FUNCTIONAL NUTRITION PRINCIPLE

Diet is not chosen by:

  • Brand reputation
  • Marketing claims
  • Trends
  • Personal ideology

Diet is chosen by:

  • Biology
  • Labs
  • Response over time

This decision tree turns nutrition into a measured longevity intervention, not guesswork.