All pet parents want what is best for our beloved feline and canine companions. Since our fur-babies are at our mercy when it comes to their health and well-being, we have to make sure we are meeting their nutritional needs. As far as pet food is concerned, you have plenty of options to choose from. Whether your dog or cat prefers dry or canned food, your priority as a pet owner is to give your furry companion the nutrition he or she needs to live a long, happy and healthy life.
Here at MVA, we take your pet’s nutritional needs very seriously. That’s why we recommend
Hill’s Healthy Advantage®
pet foods for those pets who do not require a prescription diet. Healthy Advantage® foods come in both dry and canned varieties for both dogs and cats. Additionally, each formula is designed to provide pets with their exact nutritional needs for their life stage.
Giant breeds such as great danes, Irish wolfhounds, and giant schnauzers have unique dietary requirements. Very few commercial puppy foods offer the ideal mix of calcium, energy, and protein levels that these breeds need. We can provide you with feeding recommendations that will encourage your dog’s maximum growth potential without causing developmental problems. For added convenience, we also stock veterinary-approved diets for giant breeds. We can also help you weed through the choices and find a puppy or kitten food that will meet your growing pet’s specific nutritional needs. We even carry many nutritionally balanced, veterinary-approved brands in our clinic. Feel free to ask us for a food recommendation or to contact us with any nutrition questions or concerns you might have. We’re happy to help!
LOOK FOR AAFCO GUIDELINES
Pet food should have a nutritional adequacy claim on its packaging that tells you the food is either “formulated to meet or exceed the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO nutritional profiles” or ” animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that the pet food provides complete and balanced nutrition” for the life stage of your animal. An extra layer of protection is found in pet food brands that have been through AAFCO feeding trials. Further, food that is labeled for intermittent or supplemental use should not be used long-term unless directed by a veterinarian.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT FOOD FOR YOUR PET
Our pet’s nutritional needs vary depending on age, size, species and health conditions. Older pets need to eat different food than younger pets, less-active pets need different food than active pets, small-breed animals require nutritional content different from large-breed animals, and the list goes on. You don’t want to buy dog or cat food that isn’t formulated to meet your companion’s specific dietary needs. Our veterinarians will help you select the right food to fit your pet's needs.
READ THE LABELS CAREFULLY
Pet food labels provide valuable insight into the quality of the food. When selecting a nutritious pet food for your trusty companion, pay close attention to the nutritional adequacy statement, listing of ingredients, feeding directions and guaranteed analysis.
