Expert Advice: Dr. Doug Knueven
Canine Health and Proper Nutrition
DR. DOUG KNUEVEN, VETERINARIAN AND PET NUTRITION AUTHOR
How does nutrition play a role in pet health?
Cats and dogs thrive when they are on an all natural diet. Proper nutrients found in natural ingredients, including vitamins, enzymes and amino acids, are vital to keep a pet strong and healthy. In my experience, many sick animals regain their health simply by providing them with the raw ingredients their bodies need in the form of a natural diet.
What ingredients are most beneficial?
Meat, organ meat, bone and shredded veggies are the most natural and instinctive ingredients for a pet’s proper diet. Lean meat sources such as chicken, turkey, beef and lamb provide protein. Bones are an important component because they provide calcium and minerals. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale are especially nutritious, providing antioxidants. Carrots, broccoli, beans and sweet potatoes are additional healthy – and tasty – vegetables for a dog.
How does a pet’s diet improve their health?
The nutrients pets need for general health are found in the foods their species have eaten for thousands of years. If they aren’t receiving these vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, pets can develop health problems. Oftentimes, a veterinarian will first ask about a pet’s diet if seeing a patient with allergies, skin conditions or kidney issues. A natural diet that incorporates variety, such as the Nature’s Variety diet, will provide the instinctive nutrients a dog or cat will thrive on, solving or reducing many health problems.
Is my pet at a healthy weight?
To find out if your dog is at an ideal weight and body condition, stroke along your dog’s sides behind the shoulders, with firm pressure, along the rib cage. You should be able to feel the ribs easily, but if you see them, your dog is too thin. In addition, look at your pet from above it to see if there is an indentation on either side behind the ribs. This is a waist, and every dog at a healthy weight should have one.
The amount of food you feed should be based upon your individual pet. Talk to your veterinarian and be mindful of whether your dog has been neutered, how much activity it participates in and other health and environmental factors. Also, inclement weather and aging leads to reduced activity, so your dog’s calorie intake should reflect that change.