Educational Articles
-
Heart disease in general, and congestive heart failure (CHF) in particular, are fairly common diseases in dogs. Chronic valvular disease and dilated cardiomyopathy are the two most common causes of congestive heart failure. Hypertension may be a contributor to heart disease and CHF. The first step toward determining the best nutrient profile to feed your dog with CHF is to work with your veterinarian to determine what, if any, other medical conditions might be present in your dog. For heart failure patients, there are some key nutritional factors to consider. Work with your veterinarian to choose the most appropriate food for your dog.
-
Nutritional management can be an effective strategy in the treatment of liver disease when used in combination with appropriate medical therapy. The goals of nutritional management of liver disease focus on controlling the clinical signs as opposed to targeting the underlying cause. Your veterinarian will work with you to help you make the best decisions on behalf of your dog with liver disease.
-
Over 60% of dogs in North America are either overweight or obese, so paying attention to the balance between activity and calorie intake is important. Nutrient formulation and portion control are the two most important aspects of weight control. Once you have chosen a formula and have calculated a reasonable daily portion based on calorie density, the best way to stay on track and prevent unwanted weight gain is to combine portion control with regular, formal weigh-ins.
-
Working and service dogs come in many forms; as such, their nutritional needs vary widely. All diets should be complete, balanced, and life-stage appropriate, with consideration towards energy density and maintenance of ideal body condition. This article reviews these nutritional considerations and provides clinically relevant tools for the dog handler and the veterinary care team.
-
The optimal diet varies from species to species, and contains an ideal ratio of the major essential nutrients of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, as well as adequate levels of trace nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. While a recipe for a home-cooked diet may appear to come from a knowledgeable source, ideas about what constitutes the ideal diet for dogs and cats is currently evolving. Your veterinarian can help ensure that your pet's diet is appropriate and healthy.
-
This handout discusses the risks and benefits of feeding a home-prepared versus commercial diet to your cat or dog. Topics highlighted include food safety, nutritional imbalances, and the need to ensure that any home-prepared diet has been well researched for nutritional safety and completeness.
-
Veterinarians recognize the relationship between nutrition and the health of the skin and haircoat. It is important to prevent malnutrition, both by preventing deficiencies AND excesses of nutrients. Your veterinarian is the very best source of information and guidance for choosing the most appropriate nutrient profile for your cat.
-
This handout summarizes the strong link between good nutrition and healthy skin and fur. Issues dealing with skin are a very common reason for visits to the vet, and the role of diet and supplementation in treating these conditions are highlighted.
-
By-products are ingredients commonly found in commercial pet foods and are considered highly desirable by many human cultures. However, there is ambiguity surrounding this term and misperceptions related to overall nutritional value. This article reviews the formal definition of by-products in the pet food industry and highlights the nutritional and environmental benefits they provide.
-
Corn and grain have been included in commercial pet foods for many years. Recently, however, these ingredients have been portrayed in the media as "fillers" that provide little nutritional value to pet foods. Conversely, corn and grain provide a wide range of essential nutrients that support the health of both dogs and cats. This article explores this topic with reference to specific nutritional benefits.