​​​​​​​There are lots of different things that you need to think about when it comes to caring for your pet. One of the first things on your agenda is almost certainly going to be what you are going to feed him. Just like us, our pets are reliant on a healthy, balanced diet to be able to enjoy a long, active and happy life. This means that it is important for your furry, feathered or scaly pal to get the right nutrition from the very start of his life.

What is nutrition?

Nutrition refers to all of the different components that make up your pet’s food. This includes proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and more. Each element plays a crucial role in supporting your pet’s health in some way and getting a perfect balance will help your animal to enjoy optimal wellbeing.

Why is tailoring nutrition to individual pets so important?

With so many different pet foods available, and a wealth of conflicting information online, it can be overwhelming trying to choose the right diet for your pet. One of the most important things to remember is that every creature is entirely unique, this means that your pet’s food will need to be tailored to meet his individual nutritional requirements. These will be based upon his age, his size and his current health.

This is important because what makes a healthy, balanced diet for one pet could be completely inappropriate for another. For example, growing and developing animals have very different nutritional requirements to an adult pet. They generally need smaller portion sizes with food that is protein-rich to enable them to grow. A pregnant or nursing animal will require different nutrition to help her support her offspring, while a diabetic pet may need a very specific diet to help him control his blood sugar levels.

By choosing the right nutrition for your pet, you can help to prevent or manage certain health conditions including

• Arthritis

• Diabetes

• Food intolerances

• Inflammatory bowel disease

• Kidney and liver problems

• Thyroid disorder

• Obesity

• Some types of cancer

How we can help

Our experienced veterinary team understand the importance of pet nutrition and are able to use their knowledge and expertise to be able to make accurate recommendations as to the diet that your pet should be following to ensure that his nutritional needs are met. Some of the services that we offer within our pet nutrition support include:

• Advice on an everyday diet based on his species, age, and size

• The creation of a custom-designed diet should your pet require one based on his/her circumstances such as pregnancy or a developing health problem

• Guidance on the best types of food for your pet, including which brands are best suited for your pet (if applicable)

• Advice on portion control

• Advice on pet obesity, why it is important to prevent it and what you can do to control your pet’s weight

• Guidance on how to switch your pet to a new food

• Information on supplements that your pet may benefit from

If you have further questions about the importance of nutrition for pets, or if you would like to arrange an appointment to obtain advice and support from our expert team, please contact our veterinary center in Waldwick, NJ.