Many pet owners take nutrition for granted. Did you know that
SPECIALLY FORMULATED DIETS
can assist in the management of various medical conditions, including kidney disease, diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease? From the very first day you bring a new pet home through the final days of its life, nutrition plays a critical role in your pet’s overall health and well-being.
Nutrition is the foundation of your pet’s well being. Although many different foods are available, not all are high quality. Of the best foods on the market, not all may be right for your pet. Because each pet has their own nutritional requirements based on lifestyle, age, disease or optimum weight, we can provide guidance for making the correct choice. We can also prescribe therapeutic diets when necessary.
Look For AAFCO Guidelines
Pet food should have a nutritional adequacy claim on its packaging that tells you the food is either “formulated to meet or exceed the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO nutritional profiles” or ” animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that the pet food provides complete and balanced nutrition” for the life stage of your animal. An extra layer of protection is found in pet food brands that have been through AAFCO feeding trials. Further, food that is labeled for intermittent or supplemental use should not be used long-term unless directed by a veterinarian.
Choosing The Right Food For Your Pet
Our pet’s nutritional needs vary depending on age, size, species and health conditions. Older pets need to eat different food than younger pets, less-active pets need different food than active pets, small-breed animals require nutritional content different from large-breed animals, and the list goes on. You don’t want to buy dog or cat food that isn’t formulated to meet your companion’s specific dietary needs. Our veterinarians will help you select the right food to fit your pet's needs.
Read The Labels Carefully
Pet food labels provide valuable insight into the quality of the food. When selecting a nutritious pet food for your trusty companion, pay close attention to the nutritional adequacy statement, listing of ingredients, feeding directions and guaranteed analysis.
