Not all animals are built the same. You may have a pet with special dietary needs. Some have special needs for life, while others may have temporary periods where their diet needs to change. In order to ensure your pet gets the proper nutrition, it is important to cater to your pet’s specific needs.
Food can affect every aspect of an animal’s life. Work closely with your veterinarian so that you can best tailor your pet’s food to his or her specific lifestyle and health needs. Here are tips on making sure your pets get the food they need to enjoy a healthy and happy life:
Food for Certain Ages
Puppies need different nutrition than senior dogs, and kittens require different food than full-grown cats. In order to ensure your pet reaches all health milestones, it is important to choose food for his or her particular life stage. Talk to your veterinarian about the best food options for your pet’s life stage and be sure to change to something new as your pet ages.
Diets high in protein are essential for young pups, but they can be hard on the stomach of a senior dog. Knowing what your pet needs during every phase of life can help you ensure overall health and wellness.
Food for Sensitive Stomachs
Sometimes our animal friends have trouble digesting certain kinds of food, which can lead to serious stomach problems. If you and your veterinarian have determined that your pet has a sensitive stomach, you might need to change up his or her food. Work closely with your veterinarian to determine which kinds of foods are causing the stomach issues. Pay close attention to your pet’s behavior and bathroom habits after you change up the food. If you notice positive changes, you are on the right track. If there are still problems, there might be a larger issue at play.
Food Allergies
If your pet has a lot of skin trouble, he or she might have allergies. Some allergies are caused by food. After ruling out other causes of allergies, your Veterinarian may recommend that you try a different type of food, with different core ingredients.
Feeding Pets with Weight Issues
Obesity in pets is a serious problem that can lead to a lot of secondary health conditions like osteoarthritis, diabetes, and even certain kinds of cancer. If your vet told you that your pet needs to lose weight, you might need to switch to a specialty diet. This can include feeding fewer treats, smaller portions of food, and even choosing a different kind of food without so many filler ingredients. Talk to your veterinarian about the best kind of food when you are trying to help your pet lose weight.
Caution: Whether you have a pet with special dietary needs or not, transition your dog or cat from one food or diet to another gradually over the course of about a week. To avoid upsetting their stomach, gradually add more of the new food and less of the food you are moving away from.
At Westarbor Animal Hospital, we want you and your pet to have every advantage toward good health. With our veterinary care and educational resources, we hope to partner with you to give your pets the best lives. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please call (734) 769-5391.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
