Tag Archives: dog nutrition

Cat Care, Dog Care, General Care

Your Pet’s Nutrition

Everyone knows that nutrition is essential for a healthy life. That’s as true for your pet as it is for you. As it turns out, the kind of nutrients that your pet needs are largely the same as the ones you do! Below, your Roanoke, VA veterinarian elaborates on the basic elements of your pet’s nutritional needs.

Protein

Protein is extremely important for your dog or cat because it’s the basic building block for every bodily tissue. Diets made for puppies and kittens tend to be very high in protein, since young pets need a lot of protein as their muscles and tissues develop. Pregnant mother pets are also sometimes prescribed a high-protein diet, as the extra boost of protein can help them deliver their litters safely.

Carbs

Your pet’s digestive system breaks down carbohydrates from food into glucose, a simple sugar that acts as the fuel for your pet’s body. So, carbohydrates provide energy for just about everything your pet does. That’s why most pet foods contain things like potatoes and rice—these kind of high-carbohydrate foods are great for providing energy and keeping your pet going.

It’s also worth noting that fiber, a type of carbohydrate, is another important nutrient that your pet needs. It slows the absorption level of sugar into your pet’s bloodstream, thereby regulating glucose levels. Fiber also helps your pet to feel full after they’ve eaten, which is why many weight-loss diets contain a lot of fiber.

Fats

It’s easy to think of fat as exclusively a bad thing, but that’s not true. In fact, your pet needs the right amount of healthy fats in their diet, just like you do. Fat provides your pet with energy. Plus, the fat that your pet’s body doesn’t use right away is stored as a reserve and used when your pet needs it. Pets that are more high-activity, such as a working farm dog, will need more fat in the diet than pets who are low-key by comparison.

Vitamins and Minerals

Don’t forget that your pet also needs the right vitamins and minerals, plus fatty acids and amino acids, for good health. Make sure that your pet’s diet contains the right vitamins and minerals for their needs—check with your veterinarian about your pet’s current food to make sure it’s up to par.

Do you have questions about your pet’s nutrition? Contact your Roanoke, VA veterinary clinic.

Dog Care, General Care, General Health

5 Ways to Keep Your Dog’s Skin Healthy

Your skin is your body’s largest organ. The same is true for your dog! So, it makes sense that keeping your canine companion’s skin in good shape is the right thing to do. Read on for five tips from a Roanoke, VA veterinarian on keeping Fido’s skin healthy.

Feed the Proper Diet

One of the easiest and most effective ways to keep your dog’s skin healthy is to feed them a great diet. What your dog eats has a lot to do with how his skin and fur looks and feels! When Fido is receiving the proper nutrients through food, the skin and hair follicles stay healthy. Poor nutrition, on the other hand, makes for dry skin and a coarse, dull coat of fur. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation on a great food choice for your pooch.

Groom Your Pup

Regular grooming is another simple way to make sure your dog’s skin stays healthy. Brushing your dog ensures that grime and dirt is removed from the coat and doesn’t start to irritate the skin. And the occasional bath is a great way to keep the skin clean and moisturized. Just make sure not to bathe Fido too frequently, because this can backfire and wind up drying out the skin and coat.

Protect Against the Sun

Just like you, too much exposure to the sun isn’t a good thing for your dog’s skin. Dogs can get sunburnt just as easily as you can! It’s not likely to happen on areas of the body that are covered by thick fur, but it can easily occur on areas with thin fur or no fur at all, like the bridge of the nose or edges of the ears. If your dog will be spending time outdoors, try applying a canine-specific sunscreen.

Keep Up With Preventatives

Of course, a flea or tick infestation isn’t good for your dog’s skin, or their health in general. Prevent the problem entirely by keeping your dog up to date on a heartworm preventative and a flea and tick medication. Call your veterinarian if your dog is in need of these medications.

Schedule Veterinary Checkups

Last but not least, having your vet evaluate your dog’s skin and fur health on a regular basis is a fantastic way to give yourself peace of mind. Schedule your pooch’s next office visit with your Roanoke, VA animal hospital. We’re here to help!

Dog Care, General Care

Coat Care Tips for Your Dog

Our canine companions aren’t quite as good at grooming themselves as our feline friends are. It’s up to you to make sure your dog’s coat of fur stays in tip-top shape! To keep your dog’s coat healthy and pristine, use these tips from a Roanoke, VA veterinarian.

High-Quality Diet

One of the easiest but most effective ways to keep your dog’s coat in top form is by feeding them a high-quality, well-balanced diet. Your dog’s skin and fur will remain healthy and moisturized when he receives the proper nutrients through food, and shedding will be kept to a minimum. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation on a diet choice that suits your dog’s age, weight, and breed.

Brushing

At home, brushing your dog on a daily basis is one of the best ways to ensure that the coat stays healthy; it’s particularly important for dogs with longer hair. Brushing does many things: for one, it removes loose and dead fur from the coat, and it helps to pick up grime from the skin. Plus, brushing spreads natural skin oils through your dog’s fur, effectively moisturizing it and cutting down on shedding in the long run. Choose a brush and bristle type that will work best on your dog’s coat; ask your vet if you need help.

Bathing

The occasional bath is also effective for maintaining your dog’s coat quality. Plus, it helps your dog smell their absolute best! Always use a canine-formulated shampoo, as human shampoo isn’t made for use on your dog’s sensitive skin. Additionally, be sure not to bathe Fido too frequently. Bathing too often can actually backfire, drying out the skin and fur and resulting in an increase in shedding.
If you would like to know how often your beloved pet could use a bath, contact your vet’s office to learn more.

Pest Prevention Tips

Pests like fleas and ticks can wreak havoc on your dog’s coat of fur, even resulting in hair loss, bald patches, and painful scabs under the hair. Keep your dog on high-quality pest preventatives to avoid the issue entirely. Most dogs will do well with a flea-and-tick medication and a heartworm preventative to keep all pesky critters at bay. If your dog isn’t already set up with these medications, contact your vet’s office.

Would you like even more great tips for keeping your dog’s coat healthy? Call your Roanoke, VA animal hospital!