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Pet Nutrition

Cat and Dog Nutrition Consultations in Scarborough

Whether your pet needs weight management, has a chronic illness, or is perfectly normal and healthy, good nutrition is essential to helping your furry friend live the best life possible. What your dog or cat eats impacts everything from muscle tone to digestion to their ability to resist disease. In addition to providing excellent veterinary care, Bellamy-Lawrence Animal Hospital offers nutritional guidance and diet products. We even offer delivery.

If you think your pet needs special diet cat or dog food, the team at Bellamy-Lawrence Animal Hospital in Scarborough can help. Contact our clinic today.

A Balanced Diet For Your Pet

Dogs and cats have different nutritional requirements depending on their age, breed and health. Older pets have different needs than puppies and kittens, and animals with kidney disease and diabetes require special diets. Even so, any nutritious pet food requires the following:

  • Proteins are the building blocks of pet health. Proteins help build, maintain and repair cells. Dogs and cats need protein to sustain healthy skin, muscles, organs and other tissues. Dogs use 30 percent of their protein intake alone to maintain their fur coats.
  • Fats are an essential source of energy that helps keep your pet active. Plus, feeding them foods containing omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids keeps their coat shiny. Additionally, Omega-3 fatty acids have an anti-inflammatory effect.
  • Vitamins and minerals boost your pet’s immune system and keep their metabolism functioning well. Vitamins help your pet convert calories into energy, and minerals are essential for strong bones and healthy teeth.

The veterinarians at Bellamy-Lawrence Animal Hospital can help your pet stay healthy by recommending a diet that combines the right amounts of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. And to ensure the ultimate convenience, you can even buy your pet’s food at our online store.

Signs Your Pet Needs Nutritional Counselling

Even healthy pets can benefit from nutritional counselling from a veterinarian. However, if your dog or cat displays these symptoms, you should book a nutritional consultation right away:

  • Weight gain or loss
  • Sudden changes in behaviour
  • Chronic illness
  • Digestion issues such as flatulence, loose stool, or a rumbling stomach
  • Dull, flaky coat
  • Lethargy or weakness
  • Itchy skin or continuous scratching

If you just got a kitten or if you are about to get some, please read our blog about what to feed a kitten at every stage. In addition, when your dog reaches the age of five to seven years old, it’s probably time to graduate to a food designed for mature animals. Both dogs and cats require special food when they become seniors at around 11 years old.

Diet Food: Not Just For Overweight Cats And Dogs

A common misconception about dog diet food is that only overweight dogs need it. Although appropriate feeding is essential, the right dog food formula can aid growth, improve health, and optimize quality of life as your dog ages. A chat with your vet about switching to diet food is a good idea if any of the following conditions apply to your pet:

  • Pregnancy or lactation
  • Illness or long-term condition requiring special care
  • Shifting from puppy to adult or from adult to senior
  • Concerns that pet food from the grocery store isn’t giving your dog adequate nutrition

Want to be sure you’re providing the best diet for your dog? For trustworthy guidance, quality pet food, and convenient delivery, you can count on Bellamy-Lawrence Animal Hospital in Scarborough. You can even shop at our online pet supply store from the comfort of your home.

Putting Your Dog On Diet Food

Whether switching to diet food is a recommendation or a necessity, a sudden change will likely disrupt your pup. Rather than making the change all at once, a gradual shift is often the best strategy to prevent stressing your dog or causing an upset stomach. Here’s what you need to know about switching your dog to a specialized diet food.

​Most experts recommend transitioning your dog to diet food over a week. Start by mixing a low proportion of the new product — say one-quarter — into the familiar food. Monitor your dog’s behaviour and eating habits over a few days. If you see no concerning signs, increase the percentage of new food to about half, and so on.

Pet Nutrition Consultations And Supplies With Bellamy-Lawrence

If you live in the Greater Toronto Area, Bellamy-Lawrence Animal Hospital is a trusted source for your pet’s dietary needs. Our caring veterinarians offer conscientious, expert nutritional counselling for your cat or dog. Our pet supply and delivery service help you get the best food for your little pal in the most convenient way. Contact us today to schedule your pet nutrition consultation.

Pet Nutrition Consultations And Supplies With Bellamy-Lawrence

If you live in the Greater Toronto Area, Bellamy-Lawrence Animal Hospital is a trusted source for your pet’s dietary needs. Our caring veterinarians offer conscientious, expert nutritional counselling for your cat or dog. Our pet supply and delivery service help you get the best food for your little pal in the most convenient way. Contact us today to schedule your pet nutrition consultation.