How do you pick a meal for your cat or dog? Just like in human beings, nutrition is very crucial to pets. With proper nutrition, your pet will have good health, immunity, and body stability. It means that every pet owner needs appropriate nutrition counseling to ensure they put their pets on the recommended diet.

Ideally, every pet owner is always determined to ensure their pets eat the best meal that will help them leave healthy. It becomes so challenging for pet owners to make the right decision when it comes to selecting the best meals for their pets because of the many persuasive marketing claims.
It is vital that before you pick any food for your pet, you must check its ingredient and nutrition value. Additionally, consult with Castro Valley Animal Hospital for professional counselling about nutrition in pets.

Essential nutrients for your pet

Every food that you give to your pet contains some minerals, vitamins, and enzymes that are critical to the growth and development of the pet. It is essential to know the necessary nutrients available in different types of food so that you plan your pet’s diet accordingly. Here are some of the vital nutrients you need in every pet meal:

Carbohydrates: These are the energy giving foods. Your cat or dog will need this to get the energy to move around. Carbs also speed digestion by keeping the dog’s intestines healthy all day. You get carbohydrates from grains and vegetables. Some of the most common sources of carbohydrates include sugars, starches, and fiber.

Minerals and vitamins: your pet requires vitamins and minerals to stay healthy and immune to common infections. Also, it needs the minerals for the various chemical reactions that take place in the body. Some pets, except dogs, may need vitamin supplements to acquire the minerals and vitamins. Dogs make vitamin C in their body, and giving them such supplements can be harmful to them.

Water: this is the most crucial part of your pet’s diet. You must always ensure your pet gets enough water every day. Water helps in the regulation of the pet’s body temperature. Nearly 50% of an adult body’s temperature is water. That means your dog can lose all the minerals, vitamins, and carbohydrates in the body but will only survive with water. You must ensure the pet gets enough water every day to stay healthy and hydrated.

Protein: every pet needs protein to develop healthy and strong tissues. A lot of amino acids, which are the building blocks for proteins, come directly from the food that you give to the pet. Therefore, ensure your pet eats food rich in Omega-3, Omega -6, and Linoleic acid.

Why is nutritional counseling necessary?

You will need nutritional counseling for your pet, especially if you own the pet for the first time. Pets are different from human beings in terms of the diets they take. You must put your pet in a special diet to ensure it grows healthy and strong. With proper guidance and counseling, you will know the right foods to give your pet.