Pet Nutrition

Nutritional Requirements for Dogs

Water, proteins, lipids, carbs, minerals, and vitamins are the six fundamental nutrients. These important nutrients must be included in the dog’s daily diet and are involved in all of the body’s basic activities. For many nutrients, a minimal dietary need has been specified. The maximum tolerated amount of some nutrients has been determined, as have the toxicity outcomes. What is less well understood is what might happen with minor deficits or excesses over time.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials has created nutritional standards (AAFCO). The nutritional content of commercial pet meals is based on the AAFCO recommendations. Make sure your dog’s food complies with AAFCO guidelines. Keep in mind that these are only suggestions; depending on your dog’s condition, he may require more or less. Consulting with our veterinarians is best for further information on the specific nutrients your dog may require.

Nutritional Requirements for Cats

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they only eat animal items for nutrition. Cats developed as hunters who ate prey with a high protein content, moderate fat content, and low carbohydrate content, and their diet still requires these broad proportions today. Vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids are among the additional nutrients required by cats.

While your cat requires particular amounts of each nutrient to be healthy, more is not necessarily better. This is especially true of vitamins and minerals, thus supplementation is normally unnecessary if you eat a well-balanced and well-rounded diet. Supplements can be hazardous to your cat, so only offer them with our veterinarian’s recommendations. Cats should always have access to clean, fresh water.

Benefits of Prescription Diets

Your pet’s overall health and continuing wellness are dependent on its diet. The food you give your pet may help to promote a better existence, enhance performance, and even manage present medical problems. Still, it must be the right combination of components to achieve these advantages. Larger dogs are far more susceptible to various serious medical problems if they are even just a few pounds overweight. Choosing the proper diet and exercise, on the other hand, might be tough. You’ll need the assistance of someone who knows about animal nutrition and can guide you in the right direction. Honoegah Animal Hospital provides expert nutritional guidance and weight management services to help transform your pet’s health for life.

To fulfill both your pet’s nutritional demands and proper weight management, we provide two types of dietary services. We’ll begin by conducting a thorough examination of your pet, including breed, age, current weight, lifestyle, likes, and any medical issues. We will collect information so that our specialists can determine your pet’s specific nutritional needs and develop a tailored diet to meet them as effectively as feasible. Prescription diets and medicines may be recommended since these dishes and supplements provide several advantages that regular pet foods do not. Honoegah Animal Hospital carries Hills and Purina veterinary diets for your convenience.