Nutrition is one of the most important factors in maintaining good health. Proper nutrients are necessary for every organ system in the body to function properly. Nutritional deficiencies as well as excesses are a major problem in veterinary medicine.

Did you know that over 60% of the pets we see over the age of 3 are overweight. Maintaining a pet at his/her ideal body weight can improve life expectancy by up to 20%. That means a 10 year old fit dog could live an extra 2 years at the right weight!

In addition, most skin problems have a nutritional component to them. Pets can become hypersensitive (allergic) to feeds with too much waste product or additives. Many gastrointestinal disturbances can be linked in inappropriate diet.

When we examine your pet, we will evaluate their nutritional status and make specific recommendations regarding proper nutrition for your pet. We have a variety of prescription diets and well as home made diets for each life stage and medical condition that your pet may face.

Dry vs Wet Foods - This is a very common question our clients have. Both foods can be very nutritious. There is however, one major advantage of dry food over canned. The dry food will be better for the animals teeth than the canned, simply because dry food will help prevent tartar buildup. Small breeds of dogs are particularly prone to dental disease so we usually advise dry kibble for them. Some disease like feline obesity and kidney failure are best managed with canned foods.

Feeding Dogs - Dogs are omnivores, meaning they can survive on diets consisting of meat and vegetable products. There are certain things that are toxic to dogs, including chocolate, onions (powder or whole), grapes and raisins.

Feeding Cats - Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they must consume animal protein. A vegetable based diet is unhealthy for a cat and will lead to a number of health problems. Obesity is the biggest problem we see on a daily basis. In general, dry foods have higher carbohydrates than canned foods therefore we will often recommend a canned food for weight loss and leaner body mass.

Home Cooked Diets - There are several reasons why many pet owners prefer feeding a home cooked diet to a healthy pet. Some people may consider home cooked diets more natural and healthful, especially in light of recent pet food recalls. They may want to avoid ingredients that they perceive as unhealthy or inadequate (such as preservatives, color additives, grains or by-products) or may want to include specific ingredients (organic ingredients, vegetables, specific meats). Other people want to feed their dogs according to their personal beliefs (such as vegetarianism or veganism). Additionally, some pets will not readily consume commercial diets, either as a result of a learned behavior or due to food aversions. Finally, some owners simply enjoy cooking for their dogs. In some cases your pet may be sick or have a chronic illness. As in humans there are nutritional recommendations for almost any disease for animals as well.

If you still have questions or would like to schedule a nutrition consultation sessions please feel free to contact us at 863-646-5683. We will be glad to sit down with you and plan out a nutritious and healthy diet plan for your pet.