Pet nutrition

Yes! During your pet’s annual wellness exam, we’ll check their weight, discuss their nutrition and lifestyle with you, and help you choose the right food. If your pet is overweight, underweight, or struggling with a nutritional deficiency, a nutrition consultation will help them get back on track.

Yes! Puppies and kittens need more calories, extra fat, and a different vitamin and mineral balance than adults. Puppy and kitten foods are formulated to meet these specific nutrition needs. Choosing a food that’s certified for puppies or kittens is extremely important for your pet’s growth and development.

Senior pets may benefit from food designed for older pets. Senior food formulations typically include fewer calories to prevent obesity, a higher fibre content for gastrointestinal health, glucosamine and omega fatty acids for joint support, and other helpful ingredients. If your senior pet has a condition like diabetes, kidney failure, or liver disease, they may also require a prescription diet.

There’s a lot of information out there, so it can be tough to know what’s best for your pet. These are the easiest things you can do to make sure your pet is getting the right nutrition:

• Choose food that’s certified for your pet’s size and life stage.
• Buy from a brand that has a veterinary nutritionist on staff.
• Make sure your pet doesn’t get more than 10% of their daily calories from treats.
• Avoid grain-free and raw pet foods, which have been linked to health issues.

The easiest way to provide a full and balanced diet for your pet is to make sure their food is certified for their life stage and size. You should also look for brands that have a veterinary nutritionist on staff.

While it’s always a good idea to check the ingredient list (especially to see if a protein source is one of the top ingredients), it’s better to choose food that’s certified for your pet’s life stage and size. You should also look for brands that have a veterinary nutritionist on staff. If you have any questions about the ingredients in your pet’s food, log into virtual care or bring your food to your next appointment.

No. Grain-free diets are often viewed like high-protein diets in humans, but they’ve been linked to an increased risk of a heart disease, called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Scientists and vets are still trying to understand why, but we recommend avoiding grain-free foods.

No. There are no scientific studies that demonstrate the benefits of a completely raw diet. Many studies actually show the opposite—nutritional imbalances, hyperthyroidism, and an increased risk of bacterial or parasitic infections with a raw diet. Raw diets also increase bacteria and pathogens, like salmonella, in your pet’s mouth and stool, which can be harmful to other members of your household.

In most cases, no. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they can’t get the nutrients they need from plants. Their diet must include meat in addition to other carbohydrates, especially since cats can only get taurine, an essential amino acid for heart function, from the meat protein in their diets. While vegan and vegetarian diets are not as dangerous for dogs, they don’t usually provide enough protein. In some cases, like if your dog has a meat allergy, a vegetarian or vegan diet may be appropriate. Our vets can recommend the best vegetarian or vegan food for your dog.

It’s difficult to create a properly balanced diet with all the appropriate nutrients at home. If you want to make homemade food for your pet, it’s best to speak to one of our vets first. We can make sure your pet has no underlying medical issues and discuss the best way to provide a complete diet at home.

It’s difficult to create properly balanced, nutritious food at home, even if you’re supplementing with kibble. If you want to include homemade food in your pet’s diet, it’s best to speak to one of our vets first. We can make sure your pet has no underlying medical issues and discuss the best way to provide a complete diet at home.