A library of printable client information sheets on nutritional management of chronic renal disease, diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal disease, hepatic disease, uroliths, and weight management.
To reduce the risk of harmful bacterial contamination and food-borne illness, and to keep foods fresh, the following tips are advised for all commercially made pet foods (both cooked and raw): To reduce the risk of harmful bacterial contamination and food-borne illness, and to keep…
Answer: The AAFCO is an advisory body comprised of federal and state officials. Its key role in regulation is to: Provide model bills and regulations for the production, labeling, distribution, and/or sale of animal feeds in the U.S.1 AAFCO does not enforce these model regulations.2…
Answer: First, a nutritional assessment should be performed on the pet by evaluating the following factors: the animal, the current diet, feeding management, and environmental conditions. Below are some of the recommendations suggested in the AAHA Nutritional Assessment Guidelines for Dogs and Cats on choosing…
You can report complaints about a pet food product electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal or you can call your state’s FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators.
Answer: No. Unfortunately, there is a lack of long-term research providing evidence that any one method, including a dry dental diet, is “best” for preventing dental disease (i.e. gingivitis, periodontitis).1 Dental disease is even more complicated because there isn’t a clear relationship between the amount…
Answer: For animals, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) regulates two classes of products: food and drugs. Depending on the intended use, an animal dietary supplement is considered either a food or drug. There is no separate category for…
Answer: Each member of the veterinary practice team has a responsibility to communicate the importance of nutrition to clients. In fact, every member should be viewed as a “nutrition champion.”1 Veterinarian’s overall role: Performs a nutritional assessment and provides a specific dietary recommendation (specific food…
Answer: There are animal, pet owner, and product factors to consider when selecting a diet: Animal factors: Species—cats have more stringent nutrient requirements than dogs. Life stage—puppies and kittens have more stringent nutrient requirements than adults. Spay/neuter status—intact animals typically require more calories and may…
Factual information must be provided on pet food labels but it is important to be aware that the label is also a promotional tool to attract pet owners. This means that much of the information provided – including the ingredient list and use of unregulated…
