Nutrition is a huge part of ensuring your pet’s health and wellbeing. Exercise, good nutrition and good veterinary care will help your pet lead a long and healthy life. We are available should you require information on the best nutrition for your pet.

Basic nutrients that are required by most pets include:

  • Water: A pet is made up of 70% water and needs clean, fresh water daily to thrive. A lack of this resource can see a pet dying in a short space of time.
  • Carbohydrates: Energy from starch, sugar and fibre help the muscles and brain function properly.
  • Fats: These supply energy, promote nutrient absorption and help build strong cells. The correct fats in the right amounts are healthy while too much fat can lead to obesity and related diseases.
  • Proteins: Protein is needed for good skin, nails and coat. They also help maintain a good immune system and help make the hormones and enzymes needed for good health.
  • Vitamins and minerals: Different vitamins and minerals regulate all the systems in the body. Phosphorous and calcium are needed to promote healthy, strong bones as an example. A variety of vitamins and minerals are needed in adequate amounts to help bodies function properly.

To ensure your pet has a healthy diet, we recommend that you feed them premium brands. These companies use high-quality ingredients in their products. They have also done research in to what is needed by the animals and include the building blocks of good health as well as offering palatability so your pet will enjoy eating it. Generic brands will often not offer the right nutrients in the right quantities and may use poor quality ingredients. This can result in intestinal gas, irregular bowel movements and obesity.

Check the sell by dates to make sure the food is fresh when you purchase it. Store it in a cool, dry place. Keep the container or pack sealed tight to keep it fresh. Discard uneaten food and give fresh food in a clean bowl daily. Hard food (kibble) is better overall for dental health even though canned foods can be stored for longer and are usually more palatable.

Check the package for the right portion size based on your pet’s ideal weight (not on their current weight especially if they are over or underweight). Don’t offer large portions at a time and don’t allow pets to eat as much as they want. This can lead to gastrointestinal upsets, obesity and bloat which can be life threatening.

If you keep a regular feeding schedule, it will be easier to avoid indoor accidents as bowel movements are likely to be more regular as well. While older pets are often fed once or twice a day, young pets will often need to be fed three to four times while they are growing as they are usually a lot more energetic that their older counterparts and burn off more calories during the day.

Try and avoid feeding pets scraps from the table or other people food. We may think of it as a treat, but it can upset your dog’s digestion quite easily and may also lead to pancreatitis.

Make sure you purchase the correct food based on the age of your pet. Younger animals usually need foods higher in calcium, protein and energy. Older dogs may become obese from eating puppy foods. Senior dogs will need to have more fibre and less fat to stay healthy in their later years. Senior foods often contain supplements to assist with management of diseases such as arthritis in older pets.

If you have any questions or need advice on the best food to feed your pet, contact us for a consultation to tailor the diet to your pet’s specific nutritional needs. This gives you peace of mind that you are giving them the right nutrition for a longer and healthier life.