Ensuring Proper Pet Nutrition

At Farview Veterinary Hospital, serving the Independence, MO area, we know that new pet owners may have questions about pet nutrition, what their pets can or cannot eat, and what the best diet is for a pet. We also understand that sometimes pets face problems later in life that can best be addressed by changes in diet and a more thorough understanding of the specific nutritional needs.

That is why our exams can include important nutritional advice and diet information, which can help address important issues like: 

What to feed a growing pet: We can help you find the right nutritional balance for young, growing pets to make sure they get the diet they need to stay happy and healthy. For example, kitten food tends to have higher protein content to help growing cats, and cat food in general offers more protein and amino acids than dog foods – so they are not all interchangeable!

Avoiding dangerous foods: A veterinarian can also help pet owners learn what foods their pets should avoid; especially what human foods may be dangerous for them. While pets can eat and like a variety of human foods, many can have detrimental effects on the kidneys, pancreas, and other organs, or even act as poisons due to a pet’s unique biology. We help instruct pet owners and provide them with the necessary guidelines to avoid high-risk foods when feeding their pets. 

Addressing weight gain: Sometimes overheating and other poor eating habits can lead to weight gain and eventually obesity problems for pets. This can affect their health in many ways, as well as exacerbating ongoing conditions like arthritis. We provide advice if it looks like your pet is gaining too much weight, and examples of the diets you can start using that will allow your pet to lose weight without causing too much distress or poor behavior. 

Special digestive issues: Various diseases and conditions can affect pet health digestive systems. Sometimes these conditions make it difficult or painful for your pet to eat or create issues with constipation. In these cases, we can help you find the right diet and food that will encourage your pet to eat while still providing them with the nutrition they need – while keeping their digestive system healthy. 

Dealing with food allergies: Pets can have food allergies as well. Typically, these allergies cause itching, diarrhea, or other problems associated with the wrong kind of protein or an inappropriate diet. Because pet allergies can be difficult to diagnose, it is important that you work closely with a vet to examine any potential allergy issues, and test different diets to see if a certain diet may be more comfortable for your pet. 

Call Farview Veterinary Hospital Today!

Do you have any additional questions about your pet’s diet, or what changes could help deal with a issue, from weight gain to tick prevention? Contact Farview Veterinary Hospital today, and we will be glad to help pet owners in the Independence, MO region find the right solutions!