At Wishing Well Veterinary Hospital, we strive to educate pet owners on the importance of cat and dog nutrition. We can recommend
SPECIALLY FORMULATED DIETS
to help manage various health conditions including kidney disease, diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease, as well as help your pet meet their nutritional requirements to continue to grow and develop properly.
Providing Adequate Nutrition for Your Dog or Cat
Throughout their lives, our canine and feline friends depend on us for their daily needs, and one of the most important factors of their health is appropriate dog and cat nutrition. There are a variety of options to choose from when it comes to determining the best pet food for your companion so here are the guidelines we recommend keeping in mind:
Assess AAFCO Guidelines
If you’re planning on heading to the pet store, we suggest examining the packaging on your pet’s potential food. There should be a nutritional adequacy statement which affirms the food is either “formulated to meet or exceed the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO nutritional profiles” or has endured animal feeding tests which abide by AAFCO procedures and confirm that the pet food offers full and balanced nutrition.
Think About Your Pet’s Specific Needs
Consider your pet’s species, size, age, and any health conditions. Large canines have different dog nutritional requirements than small canines. Older cats have more distinct nutritional needs than younger cats. Our team can help determine your pet’s needs and offer recommendations during your pet’s next visit to our animal hospital.
Review Food Labels Closely
The labels on the pet food packaging should provide beneficial information including the nutritional sufficiency statement, listing of ingredients, feeding guidelines, and certified analysis. Review these closely to help decide if a particular pet food is right for your dog or cat.
