As a pet owner, you want to provide the very best care for your furry family members. An important part of keeping your pet happy and healthy is proper nutrition. Our veterinarians near you at Summit Veterinary Hospital in Los Gatos share their guidance on choosing the right food and optimizing your pet's diet.

Selecting the Best Pet Food

With so many options on store shelves, it can be confusing to pick the ideal food for your pet. Our vets recommend choosing a high-quality commercial brand that meets your pet's life stage and health needs. Look for foods that:

• Have meat, fish, or poultry as the first ingredient
• Are formulated for your pet's age and activity level
• Are approved by veterinary nutritionists
• Avoid artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors

Your vet can help identify any specialized nutritional requirements and recommend an appropriate diet.

Understanding Your Pet's Changing Needs

Your pet's dietary needs evolve through every life stage. Key considerations include:

• Puppies/Kittens: Require more calories, protein, and fat for growth and development
• Adults: Switch to adult food around 1 year old to avoid excess weight gain
• Seniors: May need reduced calories plus joint support or easily digestible options
• Special needs: Custom diets for pets with allergies, illnesses, or medications

Routine vet checkups allow for monitoring your pet's nutrition and making adjustments as needed.

Preventing Obesity and Related Health Risks

Pet obesity is a growing epidemic, affecting over 50% of dogs and cats. Carrying excess weight puts pets at risk for diabetes, arthritis, cancer, and other problems. Prevention through proper diet and exercise is key. Work with your vet or animal hospital to determine if your pet is at a healthy weight. Make sure you are not overfeeding treats or people food. Stick to appropriate portion sizes of quality food tailored to your pet's needs.

Providing Complete and Balanced Nutrition

Commercial pet foods are formulated to provide all the nutrients pets need. Avoid giving only homemade or raw diets, which risk nutritional imbalances over time. Be cautious with human foods as well. While healthy lean meats and veggies can supplement your pet's diet, many human foods are unsafe or unhealthy for pets. Consult your vet before making any major dietary changes.

Schedule an Appointment With Us for Pet Wellness

At Summit Veterinary Hospital, we want to ensure your pet enjoys excellent nutrition and wellness throughout their life. Our veterinarians provide quality veterinary care for our furry friends in Los Gatos, Santa Cruz, Saratoga, and the surrounding areas. Let us know how we can support you in providing the very best care.