Interventional nutrition plays a central role in the management of renal diseases in veterinary medicine. Most of the clinically observable abnormalities produced by the disruption of renal function are influenced by dietary intake of calories, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, protein, or acid load.

Further, the kidney is susceptible to self-perpetuating injury, an inherent property of this organ, and the extent of this injury can be modified by adjustments in dietary intake of phosphorus and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

The response of each animal with renal insufficiency to the disease and to nutritional intervention varies dramatically, and individualized therapy is required; the only constant nutritional characteristic of renal insufficiency is inappetance and loss of body weight. Successful interventional nutrition must take all of these principles into account.