Nutrition is vital for your pet’s health and quality of life.
At Mt Airy Animal Hospital and Andorra Veterinary Clinic, we can help guide you to make the best dietary choices for your furry family members—whether they’re puppies and kittens or senior pets with special needs.
The Role
of Nutrition in Health & Disease Prevention
Nutrition plays a critical role in every stage of your pet’s life. A well-balanced diet supports:
- A strong immune system
- Healthy skin and coat
- Optimal growth and development
- Organ function and energy levels
Beyond general health, proper nutrition can help prevent and manage a range of conditions, including obesity, diabetes, arthritis, kidney disease, and gastrointestinal issues.
Our Nutritional Counseling Process
Our veterinary team takes a personalized approach to your pet’s nutrition,
considering their age, breed, activity level, and health status.
Dietary Assessment
We evaluate your pet’s current diet, weight, and overall health.
Customized Plan
Based on the assessment, we design a tailored feeding plan that meets your pet’s specific nutritional needs.
Ongoing Support
We offer follow-up appointments and adjust the plan as needed to keep your pet healthy and thriving.
Benefits of
Nutritional Counseling
Our nutritional counseling services provide key benefits
for pets with:
Weight Challenges
Whether your pet needs to shed a few pounds or gain healthy weight, we develop a safe, effective plan.
Chronic Conditions
Many chronic diseases, such as kidney disease, diabetes, arthritis and GI issues can be managed more effectively with the right diet.
Allergies and Sensitivities
We help identify food triggers and suggest alternatives that reduce symptoms and discomfort.
Benefits for weight management and chronic conditions.
Effective weight management is crucial for all pets, especially those with chronic conditions.
Making sure your pets maintain a healthy weight helps reduce the risk of disease, maintain good mobility, and enhance their quality
of life.
When managing the weight in patients with chronic conditions, we could see an improvement in disease control as it could reduce the need for medications and decrease the need for more frequent vet visits; ultimately lowering vet costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my pet’s diet is appropriate?
Ensuring your pet’s diet is appropriate for their needs involves several key factors.
Life Stage
It’s important to match your pet’s food to their life stage. Puppies and kittens need food formulated for growth, while adult pets need maintenance diets, and senior pets may require special formulations.
Nutritional Adequacy
When purchasing diets, look for a nutritional adequacy statement from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) on the pet food label. This indicates the food is “complete and balanced” for a particular life stage.
Health and Activity Level
When purchasing diets, consider your pet’s breed, size, activity level, and any health conditions. Active pets may need more calories, while pets with health issues might require special diets.
Regular Monitoring
Regularly visits to the vet helps monitor your pet’s weight and body condition. We can address any needed adjustments to their diet to maintain a healthy weight.
Veterinary Consultation
For patients with chronic illness, always consult your veterinarian to determine the most appropriate diet for your pet. We can provide tailored recommendations based on your pet’s specific needs.
Can you help my pet lose weight safely?
Yes—we create personalized weight loss plans that include portion control, activity recommendations, and regular check-ins to support steady, healthy progress.
Best diets for pets with chronic conditions?
We recommend prescription or therapeutic diets tailored to your pet’s condition—like kidney, liver, or diabetic-friendly formulas—to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Are raw or grain-free diets good for pets?
Not all trends are right for every pet—our team can help evaluate the pros and cons based on your pet’s needs, health history, and lifestyle.
How often should my pet’s diet be evaluated?
We suggest reviewing your pet’s diet at least once a year—or more often if they’re overweight, aging, or have a health condition.
