Nutrition Counselling for Pets

Your pet's food can make a significant difference to their overall health. The combination of conflicting nutrition information and the wide variety of foods available on the market can make it challenging to know which ones meet all of your pet’s nutritional needs. Nutritional counselling can support you in choosing the best foods to support your pet’s unique needs or dietary restrictions. 

How does nutrition counselling benefit my pet? 

Nutrition counselling is like a checkup of your pet’s diet. Our veterinary team will ask you questions about your feeding schedule, food brands, treats, and quantities. If you have concerns about your pet’s eating habits or want to introduce new foods into their diet, this is a great time to lean on our expertise. We'll consider this information, along with a physical examination, to make recommendations about special diets or tips on how to better meet your pet’s nutritional needs. 

Which foods are healthy for my pet? 

Your pet’s diet should be determined by a few factors, like their age, breed, and overall health. For example, kittens and senior cats shouldn’t be fed the same food. Some foods are marketed explicitly to your pet based on their developmental stage and nutritional needs. Kittens and puppies are growing, so they need a higher caloric intake to replenish their energy supply. Since senior pets are more prone to health issues, we could recommend foods that are more easily digested and gentler on their overall system. If you’re interested in learning more about which foods are suitable for your pet, please contact us at 604-427-2744.

Which foods should I avoid?

It’s important to pay close attention to how your pet reacts to certain foods, especially if you’re introducing them for the first time. If you’ve noticed your pet is itching excessively or has bumps throughout their skin after eating some foods, they could have a food allergy. Ingredients lists that don’t include proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, fat, and minerals should be avoided. If words like “completed” or “balanced” are missing from food labels, this could mean they aren’t the best nutritional options for your pet.