Pet Nutrition – Country Creek Animal Hospital – Allen, TX
Healthy pets need a well-balanced diet. Their nutrition affects many aspects of their daily living, from helping skin stay moisturized to supporting an active lifestyle. Every kind of pet has stringent dietary requirements, whether they be a turtle or the family dog. At Country Creek Animal Hospital, our experienced veterinarians, Daryl and Lollie Mensik, DVM, deliver specialized nutritional care to pets and instruct owners on the best dietary guidelines for their pets. If your pet is overweight, too skinny, or is not responding well to a recent change in food, please contact us. With our assistance, you can improve your pet’s daily life and physical health.
Improving the Health of your Pet with Proper Nutrition
Our veterinary experts understand how to optimize your pet’s health with their daily diet. They understand how weight management and many other factors are influenced directly by what your pet is eating. An important factor is aging, for a puppy requires very different food than an older dog. As pets mature, their nutrition needs change, from the portions of food given to them to the actual ingredients. To better your pet’s health, pet owners should be mindful of these factors to make informed decisions on their daily diet.
If your pet is overweight, underweight, or is facing issues that can be remedied with proper nourishment, our professionals will guide you in making the best decisions for their health. As with any of our services, our assistance is based on pet breed, their amount of activity, and current health standing. Many health issues stem from improper diets, but our Drs. Mensik will help your pet achieve optimal health.
The Right Food and the Right Diet
The following list may help owners better understand the different classifications of pet food as defined by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). These are not ordered in levels of quality or in how they provide nutrients to your pet, for each can fulfill their needs. Pets require a balanced diet and should be directed toward their species, breed, size, and additional requirements.
By-Product Foods: This kind of food is made from the extra parts of animals after they have been processed. This includes kidneys, livers, fatty tissue, and other leftover organs. These provide protein for pet food, and when mixed with other ingredients, can be a complete meal. Owners should know these often contain preservatives and artificial flavoring.
Natural: Ingredients for this kind of food include plants, animals, and mined sources. These ingredients are guaranteed not to be chemically processed, be colored artificially, or contain preservatives. Natural food options may be better for your pet, granting increased vitamins and minerals.
Organic: If food is certified as organic, the manufacturer has met stringent requirements to make a product that has come into contact with very few chemicals or additives. Ingredients must be grown without artificial fertilizer, and be free from human or industrial waste. When animal products are used, they are required to be hormone and antibiotic-free. There are three levels or organic food: “100% Organic”, “Organic” (95 percent organic ingredients), and “Made with Organic Ingredients” which means a food source is made from 70 percent organic ingredients.
Diets and Supplements: If your pet has strict dietary requirements, we can match them with a tailored meal plan. This allows us to address specific health concerns in a controlled manner. Additionally, our veterinary doctors can prescribe supplements when a pet is lacking certain nutrients.
Contact Country Creek Animal Hospital for Pet Nutrition
Our animal hospital provides the medical expertise and services your pet needs to be happy and healthy. We treat your pets as our own and guarantee the personal attention and care they deserve. Call us to schedule an appointment and improve your pet’s diet today!