Nutrition is an important part of every pet’s overall health plan. In order to meet nutrient requirements, pet owners should feed a complete and balanced diet that is appropriate for their pets’ species and life stage. In addition, pet owners can improve quality of life and prolong lifespan by maintaining an ideal weight and body condition for their pets. At each visit, veterinarians can perform nutritional assessments and make recommendations for appropriate diets to meet healthy pets’ needs.
Nutrition can also play a role in management of a number of health conditions, including chronic kidney disease, gastrointestinal problems, pancreatitis, and urinary stones. Ask your veterinarian about whether a special diet is recommended as part of your pet’s medical plan.
For more complex cases, particularly for pets with multiple medical issues or pets fed home-cooked diets, it can be helpful to consult with a veterinary nutritionist. Our hospital’s board-certified veterinary nutrition specialist offers nutrition consultations locally and for pets across the country. Nutrition services include general nutritional counseling, commercial diet recommendations, home-cooked diet recipe formulation, nutritional supplement recommendations, and more. For more information, please visit www.VCAnutrition.com.