Dog food for Cushing's disease
Cushing's disease is caused by too much of the hormone cortisol, and it commonly affects an older dog's appetite, weight, coat and thirst. There is no single 'Cushing's diet', and only a vet can diagnose the condition and set out how to manage it, but a food that supports steady weight and a lower-fat, easily digested diet is often part of what vets recommend once a diagnosis is confirmed.
What Cushing's disease actually does
Cushing's disease develops when a dog's body produces too much cortisol over a long period, usually because of a growth on the pituitary or adrenal gland. It is most common in older dogs and tends to develop gradually, which is part of why the early signs are often mistaken for ordinary ageing.
The hormone affects far more than appetite. It changes how the body stores fat, breaks down muscle, and manages fluid, which is why the commonly reported signs include increased thirst and urination, a pot-bellied appearance, thinning of the coat, and a noticeably bigger appetite than before.
Why diet is part of managing it, not treating it
Diet does not treat Cushing's disease itself; that requires proper veterinary diagnosis and, usually, medication. What diet can help with is managing the knock-on effects, particularly weight gain, since a dog with Cushing's is often less active and more prone to putting on weight than before.
Vets managing a confirmed case will sometimes recommend a food that is lower in fat and built around steady, controlled calories, alongside whatever medical treatment they prescribe. There is no fixed formula that suits every dog, and the details always come down to your own vet's assessment of your dog.
What to look for on a label
A moderate rather than high fat content, a named quality protein source, and a formula aimed at weight management or senior dogs are the general things worth checking on a bag, since they line up with what vets commonly recommend for a dog managing this condition alongside their prescribed treatment.
None of this is a substitute for your vet's specific guidance. If your dog has been diagnosed with Cushing's, ask your vet directly what they recommend for feeding, since their advice will reflect your dog's individual case in a way a general label reading cannot.
When to see a vet
Increased thirst, more frequent urination, a change in coat condition, or a noticeably bigger appetite in an older dog are all worth mentioning to your vet, since they can point to several different conditions, Cushing's among them, and only proper testing can tell them apart.
Never adjust or stop medication, or make a major diet change, without speaking to your vet first, particularly for a dog already being treated for a diagnosed condition.
Living with a confirmed diagnosis
Most dogs diagnosed with Cushing's disease are managed on ongoing medication, with regular check-ups and blood tests to monitor how well treatment is working, rather than a single fix that resolves the condition permanently. Diet sits alongside that ongoing management rather than instead of it.
Weight monitoring becomes a more useful habit once a dog has been diagnosed, since it is one of the more visible signs of whether the combination of treatment and diet is helping. Your vet will usually want to track this at follow-up visits.
Every dog's case is different, and factors like other health conditions, age and how well they respond to medication all shape what a vet actually recommends. There is no substitute for that individual, ongoing relationship when managing a condition like this.
Foods formulated for this
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
James Wellbeloved Grain Free Senior Dry Dog Food Turkey & Veg
Grain-free turkey kibble for senior dogs, with glucosamine and chondroitin for joints
£82.35
James Wellbeloved Senior Breed Dry Dog Food Turkey Rice
Turkey and rice kibble for senior small-breed dogs, sized for smaller mouths
From£11.69
Barking Heads All Hound Golden Years Chicken
Barking Heads' senior chicken recipe for older dogs, with joint-support additions
£14.99
Bakers 7+ Senior Dog Superfood Chicken with Vegetables
A complete dry food for dogs aged 7 and over, with meaty chunks and wholegrains
£39.15
James Wellbeloved Senior Dry Dog Food Turkey & Rice
Hypoallergenic senior dog food with turkey as the single named animal protein
£69.75
James Wellbeloved Grain Free Senior Dry Dog Food Lamb Veg
Grain-free lamb kibble for senior dogs, with glucosamine and chondroitin for joints
From£12.75
Burns Adult/Senior Dog Original Lamb and Brown Rice
Single-source lamb and brown rice, formulated for adult and senior dogs with sensitivities
£35.99
Harringtons Senior Dog Chicken
Complete senior chicken dry dog food with 7.5% fat in 1.7kg and 12kg bags
From£6.49
Burns Senior Chicken Rice
Chicken and brown rice with glucosamine and chondroitin, for senior dogs slowing down
From£14.99
Forthglade Complete Senior Lamb Grain Free — 18 x 395g Trays
Sold as a case: 18 x 395g trays. A 60% lamb complete wet dog food for seniors, with glucosamine and chondroitin
£35.89
Taylors Adult & Senior Working Dog Grain Free Chicken
Grain-free complete food for working dogs, chicken-based, in a 12kg sack
£39.99
Common questions
- Can changing my dog's food cure Cushing's disease?
- No, diet does not treat the underlying hormonal cause of Cushing's disease. Proper diagnosis and, usually, medication from a vet are what address the condition itself; food can help manage side effects like weight gain alongside that treatment, not replace it.
- What are the early signs of Cushing's disease in dogs?
- Increased thirst and urination, a bigger appetite, thinning coat and a pot-bellied appearance are commonly reported, especially in older dogs. These signs overlap with several other conditions, so they are a reason to see your vet for proper testing rather than something to diagnose at home.
- Is a low-fat diet always right for a dog with Cushing's?
- It is a common recommendation because these dogs are often prone to weight gain, but the right diet depends on your dog's individual case, including any other health conditions they have. Always follow your own vet's specific advice rather than a general rule.
- Does Cushing's disease mostly affect older dogs?
- Yes, it is far more commonly diagnosed in older dogs, though it can occur in younger ones. Age is one reason the early signs are sometimes mistaken for ordinary ageing rather than investigated sooner.
- Will my dog need blood tests regularly after a Cushing's diagnosis?
- Most dogs on treatment for Cushing's disease have periodic blood tests so the vet can check how well the medication is controlling their hormone levels and adjust the dose if needed. Your vet will set out a monitoring schedule appropriate to your dog's case.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.