Nutritional Counseling
If your adult dog or cat is healthy, you may have chosen a pet food based simply on whether or not your pet will eat it. Cost may also play a factor in your decision. However, not all pet foods are equal. Feeding the right amount is not as simple as following the directions on the package, they are just guidelines. In fact, most brands of dog food recommend too much food for the average dog, contributing to the obesity epidemic in today’s pets. Choosing an appropriate diet can set your pet on a path of lifelong good nutrition and help prevent many problems, including allergies, nutritional deficiencies, skin and coat disorders, and obesity. Nutritional requirements for dogs and cats vary depending on a variety of factors, including age, breed, activity level and health. For instance, senior pets have different requirements than puppies or kittens, and animals with diabetes, kidney disease, and other health conditions can benefit from specific diets. Dr. O’Grady can help you make informed decisions about your pet’s diet. We can counsel you on what foods will be appropriate based on your pet’s needs and your financial considerations, how much to feed, and even how to decode pet food labels. We can create a nutrition plan for your pet, and we can also work with owners to help their overweight pets get down to a healthy weight. Numerous studies demonstrated that obesity could have detrimental effects on the health and longevity of dogs and cats. The problems to which obese companion animals are predisposed include Orthopedic disease, diabetes mellitus, abnormalities in circulating lipid profiles, cardio respiratory disease, urinary disorders, reproductive disorders, neoplasia (mammary tumours, transitional cell carcinoma), dermatological diseases, and anaesthetic complications. Call us to set up a nutrition consultation for you and your pet.
-
Giant Breeds – Need Special Care
Giant breeds such as Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, and Giant Schnauzers have unique needs. As puppies they grow phenomenally quickly and this can create stress on bones, ligaments and muscles. …
-
Puppies/Kittens Nutrition
It’s easy to get confused or overwhelmed by all the pet foods on the market. We can help you weed through the choices and find a puppy or kitten food…
