Nutritional Counseling

Nutritional Counseling

Good Nutrition is KeyAngus the Dog!

Good nutrition plays an important role in your pet’s health. With all of the commercial pet food diets that are available today, it can be difficult to decide which type and/or brand is the best for your pet. There are diets not only for each stage of a pet’s life but also for certain nutritional situations. Many diseases (i.e. allergies, diabetes, liver and kidney problems) can be managed with special diets. There are also special diets available for pets that may need to drop a few pounds to get back to their ideal weight.

How Much Should I Feed My Pet?

Regardless of which brand of food is fed, it is better to measure out the correct amount of food and to establish set mealtimes. Most bags of dry food are labeled with feeding guidelines based upon the pet’s weight. Remember, these are guidelines only. Your pet’s individual nutritional needs may vary based on other factors such as activity level. These guidelines are per day so the amount should be divided between the morning and evening feedings. When feeding puppies or kittens, three feedings per day are recommended to help prevent low blood sugar levels.

Do I Feed Dry or Canned Foods to My Pet?

We recommend feeding dry food in most healthy pets, as it is better for your pet’s dental health. Canned foods tend to stick to the surface of the teeth, which in turn allows plaque and tartar to form more quickly. The occasional treat of canned food is okay but should be kept to a minimum.

Which Treats are Good for My Pet?

Many owners enjoy giving treats to their pets but it is important to know what constitutes a good treat. Inappropriate treats can cause serious health problems and can even be fatal in some instances. Chocolate contains a toxic ingredient and should never be given to your pet. Other treats that can cause problems are grapes, raisins, and onions.

Too many treats can cause obesity in pets, which in turn leads to other health problems. Carrots or green beans are two good alternatives to the usual dog biscuits. Not only do these vegetables have lots of vitamins, they are also low in calories.

As many owners know, most pets love table scraps. Unfortunately, there are many reasons why you shouldn't feed table scraps to your pet. Most human food is high in salt, fat and sugar, which not only can lead to weight gain but also can upset your pet’s stomach. There is also the possibility that the usual diet will be refused as your pet holds out for the tastier human food.

How Do I Move My Pet to a New Brand of Food?

Hills Science Diet

One point to remember when deciding to change from one brand of food to another, it’s important to do it slowly. Rapidly switching foods can lead to an upset stomach and diarrhea. To prevent this, start by adding a small amount of the new food to your pet’s current diet. Over the course of a week, gradually increase the amount of the new diet while decreasing the old diet. This should help prevent any problems.

For more information on nutrition, check out these other websites:
AAHA’s Pet Care Library and Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

If you have any questions regarding your pet's nutritional needs, we are here to help you decide which diet is right for your pet.

Written by Sarah Vanlandingham, one of our Veterinary Assistants