Pet Nutrition and Diet: Ask a Veterinarian in Massachusetts
There are a lot of thoughts in the pet-owner community about pet nutrition and diet. Some of it is very positive and comes from professional veterinary specialists who are an authorized voice on feline and canine nutritional needs. However, some of it is not medically sound advice and should be disregarded. How do you, as a pet owner, know the difference? Your best bet is to consult with your trusted veterinarian in Massachusetts before making changes to your pet’s diet. There are fad diets for pets, just as there are for people, and not all of them are healthy. Sometimes, a diet change is all it takes for a pet to see a decline in health. Because they are smaller than we are and have a shorter life expectancy, a six to twelve-month misstep in diet could be extremely dangerous.
Different Diets for Different Species
Most pet owners know that pet nutrition and diet requirements for cats are drastically different than what dogs need. While both will frequently beg for human food, their nutritional demands are unique. As with human children (and most adults), just because they want it doesn’t mean they should have it. Good nutrition is essential to the health and wellbeing of your pet, whether they are very young or are in recovery mode from illness later in life. There is a wide range of options for pet food, and our Dartmouth animal hospital wants to help you navigate it successfully. You may hear a lot in the news and on social media about homemade diet formulas, commercial food, weight loss diets, raw food diets, and other options. We cannot stress enough how crucial it is for pet owners to discuss nutrition options with a veterinarian in Massachusetts before making a dietary change.
Different Diets for Different Life Stages
That being said, the food that you fed your dog as a puppy is much different than what he ate as an adult. Moving on into the senior phase of life, those nutritional needs will likely change again. Choosing a diet for your pet can be confusing. Just because it has a picture of a dog on the package does not mean it’s the right food for your pet. Unfortunately, much of the information on the internet can be more harmful than helpful. Many pets have suffered because of grain-free diet and vegan diet programs for pets, simply because their owners have jumped on the fad bandwagon and thought they were helping their pet. However, even if you have your pet’s best interests at heart, it won’t matter if the food they are eating causes damaging health conditions. Even well-known pet food brands can lack the nutrition that your pet needs at specific stages of their life to help them maintain an ideal weight, reduce pain associated with aging, and live longer.
Vet Advice is the Best Advice
Your local veterinarian in Massachusetts has undergone years and years of education, training, certification, and has the experience necessary to prescribe the best diet to meet your pet’s feline or canine nutritional needs. At Anchor Animal Hospital, we carry the Hill’s Diet line, which has earned a solid reputation for offering high-quality ingredients. In our own research, we have discovered that it is the proper balance of essential nutrients designed for optimal health for pets. The diets offered by Hill’s include options to meet the specific needs of pets based on their size, life-stage, and other special needs. Working with more than 220 veterinarians, veterinary nutritionists, and food scientists, Hill’s is on the cutting edge of innovation with new products created to improve your pet’s health for long and full life.
When you bring your pet into our Dartmouth animal hospital for a veterinary check-up, we can offer advice on pet nutrition and diet based on your pet’s specific needs. Feline and canine nutritional needs can vary based on species, breed, size, age, lifestyle, and several other unique factors. We take into account every variable before making a recommendation and work with our clients to ensure that their pets are getting all of the nutrition they require. If you have questions about diet and nutrition for your pet, make sure to contact our team to schedule a consultation. We can be reached at 508-996-3731. Check our website for information on office hours, schedules, and requirements for new pet check-ups with a qualified veterinarian in Massachusetts at Anchor Animal Hospital.