At Cedar Hills Animal Hospital, we strive to provide the best care possible for your furry companion. This month is Pet Nutrition month- we will be doing all we can to help you select the correct "diet" for your friend.
As animal health professionals we are committed to providing you with quality and value. The diets we recommend provide exceptional value for you and your pet. The diets we choose are extensively researched and monitored and are of exceptional quality.
Companies whose products we sell provide us with nutritional information and are accountable for the performance of their diets. We see tremendous differences and improvements in pets fed these foods.
Please feel free to talk to us about the nutritional needs of your special friend.
Just like us, your pets’ nutritional needs change too. The demands of a growing puppy/kitten are different than those of an adult dog and those of an aging pet.
The old saying "you are what you eat" applies to pets as well as people. The difference is that pets rely on us to make the best choice for them. To maintain optimum health, avoid obesity and increase longevity, it is imperative to choose pet food wisely.
In the early stages of life, young pets need high levels of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to ensure proper growth. Without a good quality, well balanced puppy or kitten diet, you could be setting your new pet up for serious health problems later on and jeopardize his/her growth and development now.
For example: puppies and dogs need the same basic ingredients, but they need them in different amounts. The most rapid period of growth for a large breed puppy occurs within the first 4 – 6 months and this is a time where the proper nutrition is critical. What you feed your puppy can help prevent development of orthopedic diseases and obesity, overall lengthening their lifespan!
Our senior companions also have specific needs when it comes to nutrition. Just like with us humans, their energy and calorie needs will be reduced. They require an optimum blend of high quality (easily digestible) protein and fat in reduced amounts along with carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Quality ingredients can help manage the following age-related problems: diabetes, heart & kidney health, joint health, skin, digestive system and cancer prevention. Once again, thru proper nutrition you can really increase the lifespan of your pet.
Pets that are overweight should be on a suitable diet to help reduce, then maintain them at an optimum weight. There are many health risks associated with overweight pets and therefore many good reasons to make the commitment to reducing their weight. For those pets with special considerations such as allergies, liver or kidney disease, or diabetes there are specific diets that can help prevent, maintain or slow the progression of the disease.
With proper nutrition we can :
- promote healthy skin and coat
- boost the immune system for improved disease resistance
- prevent FLUTD (feline lower urinary tract disease) in cats
- prevent the onset / progression of kidney, liver, respiratory and heart disease
- help control diabetes
- prevent and control obesity
- reduce aggravation of arthritis
- prevent hip dysplasia in dogs
- lower the risk of joint disease
Table Scraps:
Offering table scraps is generally not a good idea, and can contribute to obesity and poor eating habits. Depending on the kind of food that finds its way from your plate to your pet, you put him/her at risk for diarrhea and vomiting, as well as serious illnesses such as pancreatitis.
