Your pet’s nutrition plays a huge role in their health and well-being. Balanced nutrition will help your furbaby grow and develop properly. It can also keep them healthy and active longer. But there’s no one-size-fits-all diet that is suitable for all pets. Instead, your dog or cat’s nutritional needs will vary depending on their size, age, weight, breed, activity level, and existing health issues.
Pet Nutritional Counseling
Finding the right food for your pet starts with determining their specific needs. Consulting your veterinarian for nutritional counseling is essential. Your vet can make recommendations for your dog or cat’s diet based on their individual dietary requirements. The dietary plan will include what food your pet needs and the amount of food they should consume.
Along with regular wellness exams, good nutrition can help your pet enjoy many benefits, including:
Weight Management.
Increased Mobility.
Healthier Skin and Coat.
Improved Muscle Tone and Body Condition.
Fresher Breath and Better Dental Health.
Immunity and Disease Prevention.
Longer Life.
Through pet nutritional counseling, your vet can create a new, customized dietary plan for your animal companion. Your pet’s diet may include raw or cooked food or a mixture of both. Your vet will also identify any specific allergies or intolerances that your furbaby may have.
Choosing the Right Pet Food
Your vet will likely have a wide range of prescription and non-prescription pet food and treats for purchase at the clinic or market. Based on your vet’s recommendations, consider the following when buying pet food products:
Label Requirements. Aside from the brand and product name, manufacturer or distributor details, pay attention to the quantity statement and the name of species for which the pet food is intended. Check the feeding directions, guaranteed analysis, ingredient statement, and nutritional adequacy statement. Choose pet foods with an American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Statement or approval.
Company Reputation. Evaluate the pet food company by checking if they employ board-certified veterinary nutritionists. Vets trained in pet nutrition are the best resource for building dependable food for your pet. Also, see if the pet food company makes their food themselves. If so, it means that they have full administration and guidance of the production process. Their food quality is likely far more superior than other companies, as they must have stringent quality controls in place. All ingredients must have also been thoroughly tested before use. It will also help if the pet food company does their research. Reputable companies should be willing to spend millions of dollars to prove any health claims and make that information available to vets and consumers. This way, you can see for yourself whether the claim has merit. Their facilities should also be open for visits. For more information, check online reviews and testimonials.
Are you looking for more ideas to keep your four-legged best friend healthy and ensure that they live a long, happy life? Visit Mokena Animal Clinic in Mokena, Illinois. Our team of experts will evaluate your pet’s health and suggest any needed dietary changes. Call us now at (708) 479-2811 to schedule an appointment.
