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Can your dog inhale a whole bag of food in one sitting? On the other hand, is your pet a particularly picky eater? Are you wondering if there is anything you can do to make sure your pet gets the best care you can give them, especially as it relates their diet? Nutritional counseling for your pet can give you the information you need to make sure your pet enjoys a long and healthy relationship with wholesome food. There are many great nutritional options out there to choose from. Narrowing down your choices can give you a head start toward establishing a nutritionally sound diet for your pet.

The Right Diet Supports Long Term Health

Just like in people, if your pet is consuming mostly highly-processed foods from low-quality ingredients, they will eventually begin experiencing the negative health consequences. Obesity, diabetes, and joint problems, among many other conditions, are often able to be relieved (and especially prevented) by introducing a diet commensurate to animal health. Some pets require a mostly raw food diet to see changes in overall health, while others do well on canned foods comprised of whole-food based meals.

In the case of a special diet recommended by your vet due to an existing health condition, make sure to follow all advice and monitor your pet’s progress with the help of your veterinary team. There are many options to choose from so having a conversation with us and asking us your questions can help you find the best solutions for both you (and your budget) as well as your pet.

Nutritional Advice For Obese Pets

Your veterinarian can help to provide nutritional advice for your obese pet. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, more than half of all pets are overweight or obese. This is almost entirely due to the low-quality pet food products found in most grocery and pet stores. Most of these pet foods are the nutritional equivalent of eating fast food for every meal. This is a recipe for health problems down the road. Diabetes, heart disease, organ failure, and joint problems are among the many issues that arise due to poor pet diets.

With only a few changes to your pet’s activity level and food choices, you will begin to see marked improvements in your pets weight. Longer walks or off-leash exercise, paired with healthier food during meal time provides your pet with the nutrition and activity it needs to reverse existing issues and prevent further complications down the road.

Food Allergies

Have you noticed any unusual behavior from your pet recently, especially as it relates to itching or biting at their skin and fur? Is your pet experiencing chronic diarrhea, gas, or itchy rear end? This irritation can be due to a food allergy of some kind. As was mentioned above, most pet foods are akin to processed junk food. Some simple changes in dietary options can often reverse these problems by avoiding the root triggers. Your veterinarian can help to figure out which ingredients are causing the upset through an elimination diet. Once you’ve established the key triggers, you can more easily avoid these ingredients from your pet’s diet.

Wellness Exams

The best way to ensure you get on the right track with your pet from the beginning is through a regularly scheduled wellness exam. On the first visit, you can make sure to request advice on the right food for your pet. Every pet is a bit different and has different needs or sensitivities. With a bit of patience and some trial and error, you can land on the best options for your pet.

Final Thoughts

Professional nutritional counseling for your pet can be a great way to ensure they are on track to a long and healthy experience. Many of the most common health problems can be avoided entirely with a balance of the right diet, an appropriate level of exercise, and a whole lot of loving attention. If you’d like to schedule a wellness exam, or perhaps just a nutritional consultation, contact our Waldwick, NJ office and reach out to us today and we can gladly get you on the right track. Remember, prevention is the best medicine!