Nutritional Counselling

Many pet owners do not realize the importance of proper, high quality nutrition throughout the lifetime of their pet. Nutrition is a commonly overlooked, or more often, misunderstood aspect in the care of a pet. Pet nutrition is of major importance in veterinary medicine as it has a significant impact on the health and well being of all pets. It plays a fundamental role in both the prevention and treatment of disease.

There are literally hundreds of different pet foods on the market today, all of which will suggest through their labelling that they are superior pet foods in some fashion. This is simply not true. In fact, a very large majority of pet foods available through pet stores, grocery retailers and co-op stores either do not, or barely meet acceptable standards for proper pet nutrition. Pet owners will often read labels in an attempt to determine the most satisfactory food for their pet. Unfortunately, these labels are very misleading in many cases. Most pet owners will refer to the "Guaranteed Crude Analysis" when comparing foods. However, for example, the protein listed in the guaranteed crude analysis refers to the minimum level of protein present in the food, not the actual amount. The true nutrient analysis provided in a particular food can only be obtained through direct contact with the manufacturer of the food, and in most cases the manufacturers do not even have this information available at all.

The actual quality of a particular food cannot be determined by reading, or by comparing, the guaranteed crude analysis labels. In fact, two foods that have the exact same guaranteed crude analysis can be far different in terms of quality. This is because there are far differing qualities in terms of protein, fat, carbohydrate, minerals and vitamins. Excellent quality foods use very high quality organ meat for their protein component in food, which allows for better absorption and utilization of nutrients. Whereas lesser quality foods use low quality protein sources that are not absorbed well and have fewer nutrients available to your pet. Both foods could still have the same percentage of protein on the label, thus the confusion to pet owners.

High quality foods also have superior levels of vitamins and minerals. In many cases, lesser quality foods do not even supplement with these constituents at all. This is why there is such a difference in the cost of pet foods and why some foods do not seem to satisfy a pet's appetite. High quality foods mean better nutrition for your pet, with less food volume and much less stool volume being produced.

When choosing a diet, the age of the pet (life stage), breed, body condition score (a measure of body fat) and health status must be considered to determine which diet has the proper nutritional requirements. As veterinary health professionals, we have the proper training to make the appropriate recommendation for your pet. Please ask us about proper nutrition for your pet- it is one of the easiest things you can do to make sure your pet has the best chance at a healthy life!