Pet Diet and Nutritional Counseling at Our Veterinary Hospital in Winston-Salem

Whether your pet is a notoriously picky eater or seems overly willing to eat anything and everything in the house, you may find it difficult to provide the right diet and nutritional mix to promote optimal health and wellness. In fact, many owners aren't entirely sure what their pets should even be consuming. Here at Forsyth Veterinary Hospital, we want to make it easier for you to help your beloved animal thrive. That's why we’re happy to offer pet diet and nutritional counseling at our veterinary hospital in Winston-Salem.

Understanding Cat and Dog Nutrition

Many individuals who own both cats and dogs are puzzled by the varying nutritional needs of these animals. Cat and nutrition differ more than you might think, especially when the commercially produced foods seem so similar. Here are some examples:

• Dog food nutrition- Dogs are omnivores, meaning that they can get essential nutrients from both plant and animal sources, which makes dog food nutrition somewhat more straightforward than cat food nutrition. 18 percent of a dog's food intake should be some sort of protein, while only about 1 percent of needs should be fats.
• Cat food nutrition- Cats food nutrition poses certain limitations because cats have to get all their nutrients from meat. For example, cats cannot synthesize essential nutrients such as Vitamin A and taurine internally; instead, they must ingest these substances from prey that has already synthesized them. Your cat also requires a more protein-rich diet than your dog.

Both cats and dogs have very different reactions to many foods than humans do, which is why you shouldn’t serve them human food. Some human foods can cause severe toxic reactions, while others are simply too full of salt, fat, and additives.

Dietary Concerns

Pets can vary in their dietary requirements according to age, size and activity level, just as humans can. Puppies and kittens burn enormous amounts of fuel as they play and grow, and may require multiple daily feedings. the older and more sedentary a pet becomes, the less food he is likely to need. Too many unburned calories can cause obesity, an epidemic among the pet community that can lead to high blood pressure, organ failure, diabetes, joint pain, and cancer. Some pets may also be allergic to specific foods.

Healthy Solutions From Our Winston-Salem Veterinarian

Our Winston-Salem veterinarian, Dr. Gillis, can serve as a constant source of advice, guidance, and treatment for cat and dog nutrition and dietary issues. We weigh your pet during routine wellness exams to check for obesity, providing weight loss and exercise options to overcome this problem. We can also provide specialized diets to address food allergies, systemic diseases, and other individual needs.

Contact Forsyth Veterinary Hospital for More Information Today !

Cat and dog nutrition and diet are no mystery to Forsyth Veterinary Hospital. Contact 336-765-1225 so our veterinary hospital in Winston-Salem can devise the right "menu" for your pet's health!