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How does a nutritional assessment get incorporated into a pet’s physical exam?

Answer: For every patient, obtain a nutritional history including activity level, body weight, body condition score (BCS) and muscle condition score (MCS).1-3 Perform a physical exam and identify any nutritional risk factors.1-3 Nutritional risk factors include: life stage considerations, abnormal BCS or MCS, poor skin…

Is there any self-regulation by pet food manufacturers?

Answer: Yes, there is self-regulation by pet food manufacturers, generally through compliance with standards imposed or recommended by pet food trade organizations of which they are members. Many companies voluntarily commit to higher quality standards than currently required by law to ensure their pet food…

Our practice has decided to implement the AAHA Nutritional Assessment Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. How can we introduce the concept of nutrition as the fifth vital assessment to the entire veterinary practice team?”

Answer: Integrating the concepts of proper nutrition or nutrition as a fifth vital assessment (5VA) into practice requires dedication of the whole team. The first step requires an explicit commitment by the practice’s leadership, the veterinarians.1 Veterinarians should discuss the AAHA Nutritional Assessment Guidelines for…

The Savvy Cat Owners Guide to the Internet

A guide for cat owners, i.e. “The Savvy Cat Owner’s Guide: Nutrition on the Internet”. Full of tips on how to evaluate health information on the Internet. In PDF format called “Nutrition on the Internet Cats” by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association.

Myths & Misconceptions Surrounding Pet Foods

A concise explanation of common myths and misconceptions surrounding pet foods. The terms grain-free, natural, holistic, organic, and raw are defined as well as several common ingredients.