Our pets occupy a place in our home as if they were a member of our human family, and that makes it hard to resist giving them a “taste” of what you are eating for dinner. Even though we may feel like we are giving them a special treat, feeding our pets too much food or food that is not optimal for their bodies can have a negative effect. Human food might taste good to dogs and cats, but animals do not have the same digestive enzymes and systems as people. Therefore, some food such as those with high fat content, grapes, chocolate, raw dough, and onions may cause stomach aches, diarrhea, and even unintentional poisoning.
Another issue that we see frequently at All Creatures Veterinary Clinic is obesity in pets. Just like people, long-term obesity can result in numerous health problems, including diabetes and heart disease. During a nutritional consultation, our veterinarian and staff will take into account your pet’s breed, weight, age, activity level, and special dietary needs. Based on these criteria, we will recommend proper nutritious food as well as portion control for your pet, and we will develop a plan to help your pets maintain a healthy exercise level and weight throughout each stage of their lives. If necessary, we will also map out an exercise program for your pet to help shed those unnecessary pounds as quickly as possible.
With the help of our nutritional guidance, and through regular checkups, we can help your pets stay strong and in top physical condition. We not only carry nutritious foods in our clinic, but we also have hypoallergenic foods that can help your pet that may be suffering from flea, food, or skin allergies.
Make an appointment with All Creatures Veterinary Clinic today to make sure you’re doing the right things for your pet’s health and well-being.