Did you know proper diet helps prevent and even treat health issues? Proper nutrition helps with all kinds of common conditions: dental disease, kidney disease, liver disease, bladder stones, urinary problems, GI problems, joint disease, skin sensitivities, allergies, and coat health.

A good diet is one of the best things you can do to keep your pet happy and healthy. We take our nutritional counseling seriously because diet is a crucial component of health care during every stage of life.

The diets we recommend at AHBC have been rigorously tested. Their exact formulas are the product of decades of scientific research into their safety and effectiveness. We know the company’s representatives and can vouch for the quality of both their food and customer service. We can also help you determine the best type of name-brand or store-brand food, if you decide to go that route.

How We Know What to Feed

Every visit to AHBC includes a medical history, when our vet nurses ask about your pet’s diet and feeding program. We discuss diet because we need to determine if your pet is getting the optimal nutrition for his age, lifestyle, and health.

We also must evaluate how much your fur baby needs to eat, and how often meals should be given. Stage of life is an important factor. Puppies and kittens benefit from puppy and kitten diets, and can usually eat a larger amount. When those puppies and kittens become adult dogs and cats, switching to an adult diet is recommended. You may also need to feed smaller portions as your fur baby ages and becomes less active.

We can help you figure all this out! Determining both the type and amount of food your pet really needs is based on your vet’s expert assessment of various factors: dental disease stage, body condition score, the full physical exam, and any recent lab work results.

For example, large dogs who eat fast often benefit from a large-breed diet, such as Royal Canin Maxi Adult, that supports joint health and helps the dog eat more slowly. Some purebred dogs are prone to certain diseases and need very specific diet recommendations. For example, Schnauzers are prone to pancreatitis, high triglycerides, and diabetes; therefore this breed often benefits from an ultra-low-fat diet. The proper diet can great improve the lives of cats and dogs with allergies. Prescription hypoallergenic diets not only treat food allergies but can also be used on a strict trial basis to diagnose if food allergies are present.

Cats, being strict carnivores, often benefit from a high-protein/low-carb diet to help prevent bladder stones and infections, kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity. Introducing canned food as part of your cat’s diet is a good idea because canned food promotes kidney and bladder health and helps maintain a healthy weight. To avoid weight gain, your cat should eat canned diet with under 7 percent of calories from carbs.

A Note on Obesity

Obesity is extremely common in pets, especially if your dog or cat has trained you to overfeed treats. Being overweight can cause serious health problems and put painful stress on organs and joints. With proper diet and exercise, your pet will live his best life in a healthy weight range.

Diet Makes a World of Difference

Nutrition can be a complex topic. We are here to help you determine the best thing for your pet. Our nutritional recommendations, tailored to your pet’s unique needs, can improve both quality and quantity of life. If you are interested in a nutritional consultation, call us at (919) 544-2226.