Nutrition for large breed puppies has become a hot topic of discussion among large breed dog owners. It has been demonstrated that feeding a puppy food specifically designed for large breed puppies can help to reduce the risk of developing orthopedic problems associated with rapid growth such as hip dysplasia and OCD. We discuss these diets with all new puppy owners on their first puppy wellness visit. If you have any concerns regarding the nutrition of your large breed puppy, we would be pleased to discuss them with you further.
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. And feeding the right amount is not as simple as following the directions on the package (they’re just guidelines). 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, and health. For instance, senior pets have significantly different requirements than puppies or kittens, and animals with diabetes, kidney disease, and other health conditions can benefit from special diets. Our veterinarians can help you make informed decisions about your pet’s diet. We can counsel you on which foods are the best choices 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 specifically for your pet, and we’re also happy to work with owners to help their overweight pets get down to a healthy weight. Call us to set up a personalized nutrition consultation for you and your pet.
Nutrition is very important for your adult pet. Diseases such as obesity, diabetes, arthritis, bladder stones, dental disease, are just some of the health problems that can be related to diet. During your pet’s annual assessment dietary recommendations may be made to help reduce the risk of contracting one or more of these diseases.
Nutrition is very important for all your pet’s life stages. For senior pets (dogs >7 years and cats >9 years) we generally recommend a senior pet food. If your pet has a specific medical condition then a specific prescription diet may be recommended. Please ask our staff which diet is best for your animal.
Giant breeds such as Great Danes, Irish wolfhounds, and giant schnauzers have unique dietary requirements. Very few commercial puppy foods offer the ideal mix of calcium, energy, and protein levels that these breeds need. We can provide you with feeding recommendations that will encourage your dog’s maximum growth potential without causing developmental problems. For added convenience, we also stock veterinary-approved diets for giant breeds.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns regarding your dog’s nutrition or if you would simply like to discuss this topic with us.
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 that will meet your growing pet’s nutritional needs. We even carry many nutritionally balanced, veterinary-approved brands in our clinic.
Feel free to ask us for a food recommendation or to contact us with any nutrition questions or concerns you might have.
