Keeping your pets healthy and active through different stages of their life requires the right nutrition and diet plan. Nutrition plays a key role in your pet's well-being because it provides the building blocks of an animal's body. You want the right balance of protein, fats and carbohydrates for the needs of the animal. At our clinic, we help determine the right dietary solutions for your pet's after identifying their specific needs.

What is Pet Nutrition?

As the name implies, pet nutrition refers to the dietary standards you want to follow for a pet's optimal health and well-being. You want to provide high-quality foods to your pet without limiting a balanced diet.

Each animal or pet has different dietary needs. You want to provide enough water, protein, fats and other nutrients to meet your pet's specific needs for long-term well-being and health. You also want to be aware of potential complications to nutrition that may impact your pets and harm their ability to maintain a healthy weight or a healthy level of activity. Diet plays a key role in your pet's ability to engage in physical activities or remain active at different stages of life.

Complications Associated with Nutrition and Diet

While it is clear nutrition is essential for a pet's health, you may face some complications with an animal's food options. By understanding the complications that may arise, you prevent concerns regarding your pet's well-being.

A key consideration is the species of animal. Cats and dogs have different dietary needs and you do not want to feed a cat any form of plant-based food. Dogs, on the other hand, need plant and animal foods for optimal health. The levels of protein and nutrients also depend on a pet's age and current stage of life. Younger pets have different needs than older pets.

You also want to consider potential allergies and toxic food items in your home. Pets may develop allergies to certain foods, including pet foods, or may develop sensitivities to certain ingredients in a food. Many human foods are dangerous for pets and you should always talk to a veterinarian about risky plants and human foods to keep your pets safe.

Why Talk to Toronto Veterinarians About a Pet's Dietary Needs

Due to the complexities of a pet's nutritional needs, you want to discuss food options with Toronto veterinarians. A veterinarian evaluates your pet's specific health and risk factors. When a pet has a risk of health concerns related to allergies or similar complications, a veterinarian can run a test to identify the cause of the allergic reaction and help you find a better food option for your pets.

Veterinarians also ensure that you understand the needs of your pet based on their breed, size and current age. Since younger pets have different needs than older pets, you may need to specifically focus on their age and size when identifying an appropriate pet food for their health. 

Diet is essential for good health and your pet's have specific nutritional needs that you must identify and address when selecting their foods. Do not feed your pets raw meats or ignore a balanced approach to their diet. To learn more about keeping your pets healthy and providing the proper foods for their specific needs, call (416) 762-5558 today.