​Nutritional Recommendations

​The importance of high quality nutrition throughout the life of your pet cannot be overemphasized.

Most pet foods on the market today are free of nutrient deficiencies that could cause harm in the short-term, however, some commercial foods may contain nutrient excesses which can cause harm over time. For example, if a food is excessive in phosphorous, and your pet has underlying kidney disease, this may make the disease progress more quickly. Kidney disease is all too common, and often silent, meaning your pet shows no outward signs in the early stages. Many pet foods are formulated to feed “all lifestages“, from puppy or kittenhood into the senior years. Since growing puppies and kittens have different caloric and nutrient requirements than adults and seniors, an “all lifestages” food will automatically be inappropriate in certain nutrients and calories when fed to an adult or senior.

There is an enormous variety of pet foods on the market, and pet owners will often read labels in an attempt to determine the best food for their pet. Unfortunately, the information gathered by reading the label on a pet food does not help determine the nutritional value of that food. For example, the percentage of protein listed in the guaranteed analysis on a pet food label refers to the minimum percentage of protein, not the actual amount. The nutrient analysis, revealing actual nutrient percentages, can only be obtained through direct contact with the company, and in many cases, is not accessible at all. In addition, one can tell nothing about the quality of the food by simply reading the label. We only recommend foods from companies we trust will provide high quality, consistent products. Those companies provide us with all of the appropriate nutritional information about their products so we can make an educated recommendation for your pet.
Since we are an AAHA-Accredited practice, we follow the AAHA Nutritional Assessment Guidelines. When assessing a pet food and manufacturer, we ask the following questions:

1. Who formulates your diets, and what are their credentials? Do you have a veterinary nutritionist or equivalent? Are they available for consultation or questions? 
2. Which of your diet(s) are tested using AAFCO feeding trials (dogs or cats actually eat the food in a testing environment), and which by nutrient analysis (the food is formulated with a computer program, not tested on real dogs or cats in a testing environment)?
3. What specific quality control measures do you use to assure the consistency and quality of your product line?
4. Where are your diets produced and manufactured? Can this plant be visited?
5. Will you provide a complete product nutrient analysis and digestibility information for your foods?
6. What kinds of research on your products has been conducted, and are the results published in peer-reviewed journals?

​When making a recommendation, nutritional requirements depending on lifestage, breed, and health status must be considered. Pets with health conditions such as, diabetes, kidney disease, arthritis, or a skin allergy will have different nutritional requirements than pets without specific health concerns. Large and giant breed puppies should be fed differently from small and medium breeds. Decisions regarding your pet’s nutrition should not be made without first consulting your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will take into account your pet’s lifestage and medical needs when making a pet food recommendation. Talk to us...we'd be happy to help find the best food for your pet!