Nutrition & Weight Management
A balanced, well-portioned diet creates the building blocks of your pet’s health. At Sage Creek Animal Hospital, we emphasize the importance of holistic pet health via nutrition. The food, treats, and nutritional supplements you choose to provide your pet can directly affect their health. A proper diet provides pets with vitamins, nutrients, and an appropriate daily caloric intake. Alternatively, a poor diet can lead to nutritional deficiencies and/or weight problems.
Why Nutrition Is So Important for Pets
Selecting the wrong brand, formulation, ingredients, or number of calories can have an adverse effect on a dog’s or cat’s wellbeing and ongoing health. Additionally, dietary choices can interfere with the management of chronic conditions that are sometimes affected by diet, such as:
- Allergies
- Arthritis and other joint problems
- Dental disease and bad breath
- Diabetes and kidney disease
- Obesity
- Skin and coat problems
Just as the right or wrong diet can affect a pet’s health, prescription diets for pets can also be incredibly useful in managing a variety of chronic health conditions.
Weight Management for Pets
Just a few extra pounds on a cat or dog can make the difference between a healthy weight and an obese weight. Obesity is a growing concern among pet owners because it not only diminishes a pet’s quality of life, but obesity can also lead to several more serious health problems in cats and dogs including:
- Arthritis and joint problems
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Limited mobility
- Respiratory problems
If your pet has put on some extra weight, our veterinarians can help you establish an appropriate weight management plan that includes both dietary and exercise recommendations to get your pet back to a healthy weight.
Personalized Nutrition Plans for Every Pet
Each pet has different nutrition and calorie needs that vary based on their age, size, activity level, and health concerns. During a nutrition consultation or weight management appointment, our veterinarians will help you determine the right diet for your pet. We can provide you with recommendations for specific pet food brands, treats, and even pet-friendly nutritional supplements to ensure your pet eats a healthy diet.
If you feel overwhelmed when shopping for pet food or simply wish to give your pet the best chance for living a long, healthy, and happy life, then we welcome you to schedule a nutrition consultation or weight management appointment with one of Sage Creek Animal Hospital’s Winnipeg veterinarians.
