Pet Advice - Nutrition

A balanced diet is critically important to your pets cell maintenance, growth and overall health. There are six essential classes of nutrients pets need for optimum healthy living. Proteins, Fats, Carbohydrates, Vitamins, Minerals and water.

Your pet will have varying nutritional needs during different stages of their lives. Feeding your pet according to its stage of life (puppy/kitten, adolescent, adult, pregnancy, senior) is recommended to maintain your pets overall health and well being and improve both the quality and quantity of your pet’s life.

Early in life your furbaby will need to eat lots and often! They need larger quantities of food because they are growing rapidly and have limited space in their tiny stomachs. From six to eight weeks of age they need to be fed four to six meals a day. By six months their need for food is decreased because they are about 75% of their adult size.

A good quality starter food is specially formulated for the demanding nutritional requirements and contains the appropriate amount of calcium.
Due to their growth, any nutritional mistakes made during this time may have severe or even irreversible & life long consequences.

Older pets, especially those over seven years of age, will benefit from a diet formulated for their needs. Senior diets often have lower levels of calcium, sodium and fewer carbohydrates. Many also contain ingredients such as prebiotics, probiotics to maintain healthy intestinal microbial populations, increased omega- 3 fatty acids and other antioxidants to combat inflammation & glucosamine to promote joint support.

Some factors beyond our control can mean our pets are more at risk from obesity such as breed, age, gender. However, it goes without saying that excess weight is simply an intake of too many calories compared with calories burnt off. Overweight pets are susceptible to conditions such as arthritis, diabetes and heart disease to name a few.

Did you know? Up to 40% of cats, 60% of dogs & 28% of rabbits in Ireland are overweight. Weight management needn’t weigh on your mind, we are here to help.

Family Vets Athlone has a large selection of maintenance & prescription diets available. Our highly experienced vets & nurses are only happy to help you find the best diet that meets your pets individual needs.

Your Pet Deserves The Best Care - Reach Out To Us Today

Your pet's well-being is our top priority at Family Vets. From routine check-ups to emergency surgeries, our dedicated team of veterinary professionals is always ready to provide compassionate care for your furry family members.

But we can't help if you don't reach out. Whether you're concerned about your pet's behavior, suspect an illness, or it's simply time for their annual check-up, don't wait another moment. Your pet's health and happiness are too important to delay!

Give us a call today at 0906492623 to schedule an appointment or to discuss any concerns you might have about your pet. We're here for you, ready to provide the expert care your pet deserves.

Remember, early detection of any potential health issues is crucial.

Together, we can make a difference in your pet's life. We look forward to hearing from you soon.