Are your clients convinced that corn and byproducts are “fillers” and that raw food diets are the key to superior coat quality for their pets? As veterinarians, we know that optimal nutrition is not about following fads, but is grounded in science and tailored to meet each pet’s individual needs. In this NutriQUIZ, we’ll explore some common myths and misconceptions around pet foods to help improve your client communications on these topics. After all, a well-informed pet owner is a vital...

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important condition, especially affecting middle-aged to older dogs and cats, and it is often not the only condition affecting these patients. Since nutrition plays a critical role in the clinical management and progression of CKD, it is important to recognize when a diet change or supplements should be considered. Since the roles of phosphorus and protein are usually discussed, this NutriQUIZ reviews other key nutrients to help you better manage your CKD...

Omega-3 fatty acids are becoming increasingly popular among veterinary professionals for use in treatment plans to support a wide range of disease processes. Increasingly, more research is emerging that supports the use of omega-3 fatty acids for their anti-inflammatory effects. Inflammation characterizes many chronic disease processes, and many organ systems have shown improvement in disease state and progression with added supplementation of omega 3 fatty acids. Their application is...

While many clients are often exposed to recommendations for grain-free diets for their pets, some report benefits after making the diet change. Marketing for grain-free diets usually state that grains are fillers that do not provide nutrients, are poorly digested by the pets, and can even cause allergies or dietary sensitivities. However, most grain-free diets rely on other carbohydrates as substitutes for the grains (e.g., potatoes, sweet potato, pulses). How can we address client worries...

Home-prepared diets for dogs and cats are becoming increasingly popular, and recipes can be found on websites, in books and on social media posts. These diets are touted as being healthier than commercially available pet foods. With many recipe authors claiming to be trained in animal nutrition, it is often difficult for pet owners to distinguish articles written by a reputable veterinary professional to those of a well-intentioned layperson. In reality, few cats and dogs require a...

A complete diet provides all the essential nutrients, but could still be unbalanced; if the ratios between the essential nutrients are ideal, then the diet can be considered complete and balanced. A classic example is the ratio between the minerals calcium and phosphorus (Ca:P) which needs to be at least 1:1, but not higher than 2:1 for adult dogs and cats. Micronutrients are defined as those required in the diet in mg/kg or parts per million (ppm). Depending on the ingredients used or the...

Dietary fibre has several beneficial effects on the digestive system and on general health. For instance, it promotes regular intestinal transit, helps reduce the risk of diarrhea and constipation, and regulates blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Dietary fibre is a part of the plant that corresponds more specifically to the plant cell wall. It is characterized by its resistance to enzymatic digestion and absorption in the small intestine, but is completely or partially fermented by the...

There are published nutritional profiles (or standards) for gestation and lactation, growth and adult maintenance for dogs and cats. However, there are no specific nutritional profiles to define how diets should be designed for senior or geriatric pets, or for working dogs holding a wide range of jobs. Therefore, nutritional needs should be assessed on a patient-by-patient basis and they should take into consideration all of the animal, dietary and feeding management factors for the current...

As the largest organ with active metabolic and high nutritional requirements, the skin plays many essential roles: it protects against the environment, helps to maintain hydration and thermoregulation, and provides sensations of both touch and temperature. Maintaining a healthy skin barrier is critical to overall health, and nutrition can play a vital role in providing essential nutrients to maintain skin barrier function and hair growth. Essential nutrients that support a healthy skin...