Pet Nutritional Counseling

Pet Nutritional Counseling for Good Health

Your pets should have a balanced diet for proper cell maintenance, to encourage growth, and to promote overall health and well-being. High-quality commercial pet food should provide your pet with the nutrition they need to grow healthy and strong. At times, your pet may need specialized prescription food due to a special need, illness-related deficiencies or as a recommendation by your veterinarian. At Ashworth Road Animal Hospital in West Des Moines, our veterinarians understand the importance of what your pet needs in every life stage and we excel in the area in pet nutritional counseling. 

pet nutritional counseling

Requirements for Different Life Stages

Your pet has three distinct life stages each with its own nutritional needs. Puppies and kittens, adult pets and senior pets all require a different type of pet food. When your pets are young, they have lots of energy and require a high protein diet in order to grow and develop, as they should. Young pets may tend to overeat, so follow the instructions on the package for the amount to give your young pet.

Adult pets require a lower amount of protein and an amount of food designed to help them maintain their weight and repair their cells as needed. The amount to feed your adult pet depends on their activity level. Dogs that spend quite a bit of time running and playing outdoors require more food than a lap dog. We can help you to decide how much food, what food type, and how often to feed your adult pet.

Senior pets have different requirements, too. Often they will not be as active as when they were younger. They will require less food because even though they consume fewer calories they can still gain weight. 

Specialized Pet Foods

If your pet has special dietary needs determined by your vet, he or she may need specialized food for their proper nutrition. Some varieties include foods for pets that are sensitive or allergic to specific products, weight control formulas, urinary diets, diets for diabetics, and diets for joint health or liver care. All of these types of diets will help your pet to live a longer and healthier life.

Trust the Veterinarian Pet Nutritionists

By offering pet nutritional counseling, our veterinarians at Ashworth Road Animal Hospital can advise you on the exact diet that your pets need in every life stage. We can even recommend the best veterinarian-approved dog and cat treats for your four-legged companion to promote longevity and keep them playful and happy for years to come. For more information or to schedule a check-up, call us today.

Our Location

HOURS OF OPERATION

West Des Moines Office

Monday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Tuesday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Wednesday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Thursday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Friday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Saturday

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Sunday

Closed

West Des Moines Office

Monday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tuesday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wednesday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Friday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Sunday
Closed