10/10/19 *ALERT** UPDATE ON GRAIN FREE DIETS: We do not recommend that grain free diets be fed to any of your pets. Recently, veterinarians have a noticed a link between the rise of a heart condition call Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) and the feeding of grain-free and boutique diets. DCM is a condition that has been genetically linked to certain breeds such as Doberman Pinschers, but quite suddenly we are seeing it occur in numerous breeds, with the retriever breeds (labs, goldens) possibly being over represented. The trend has been alarming enough that the FDA, the AVMA and Tufts Nutrition have issued warnings regarding these diets.
Earlier this year, the FDA released a list of the diets associated with heart disease reported to them as of June 2019. In order of highest frequency, the following diets have been identified: Acana (67 cases) Zignature (64 cases) Taste of the Wild (53 cases) 4Health (32 cases) Earthborn Holisitic (32 cases) Blue Buffalo (31 cases) Nature's Domain (29 cases) Fromm (24 cases) Merrick (16 cases) California Natural (15 cases) Natural Balance (15 cases) Orijen (12 cases) Nature's Variety (11 cases) Nutrisource (10 cases) Nutro (10 cases) Rachael Ray's Nutrish (10 cases)
Should I switch my dog's diet? YES! Unless there's a medical reason for your dog to be on a grain free diet (and that is very rarely medically indicated), you should switch your dog's food to a brand and formula from established pet food companies who have veterinary nutritionists on staff who confirm the safety and efficacy of their diets. Examples of established brands include Purina pro plan, Hill's Science Diet, Iams, Eukanuba, and the Royal Canin diets. The diet should be labeled with a statement to say it has passed AAFCO feeding trials. Transition your dog from his/her old diet to the new diet over 4-5 days to prevent stomach upset. **If you have any questions regarding this notice or the use of grain free/boutique diets, please email us at: [email protected]
Do you know what your pet's unique nutritional needs are? What about weight? Are you sure that the numbers on the scale are where they should be to keep your pet healthy and fit? For most pet owners, the topics of nutrition and weight control are challenging. Yet they are such an important part of your companion's overall health and wellbeing. You probably already know that the right diet and a healthy weight can extend and improve your pet's life, but with so many different options to choose from, figuring out what your pet's nutrition and weight control needs are can be confusing and downright overwhelming. What you need is the advice and guidance of an expert. Sudbury Animal Hospital offers professional nutritional counseling and weight management services to help take the mystery out of keeping your pet happy and healthy. The first step involves assessing your pet's current health and identifying his or her unique nutritional needs. We'll conduct a thorough analysis, considering such important factors as breed, age, current weight and the existence of any health problems. Once we've gathered all of this information, we'll be able to develop a customized plan that will provide the perfect nutritional balance for your pet. We'll offer advice and guidance on what type of food, as well as how much and how often you should feed your pet for best results. Next we'll take a look at your pet's weight. Many pet parents don't realize that companion animals who are just a few pounds too heavy are at a much greater risk of developing a number of serious medical conditions, such as arthritis and diabetes. Likewise, pets that don't weigh as much as they should are more susceptible to injury and illness. We'll use the information we gathered in our nutritional analysis to determine what weight range would be ideal for your particular pet, and then come up with a plan to achieve and maintain that healthier weight. Lastly, we'll need to revisit our plan from time to time to make sure it's still as effective as it was originally designed to be. As pets age, their needs change, including those associated with diet and exercise. Every so often, we'll reassess our approach and make any necessary adjustments as needed. You adore your pet and you always want what's best for them. We share that very same goal, and we know that it starts with a foundation of good nutrition and a healthy weight. Let us design the perfect diet and exercise plan that will help your pet achieve and maintain optimum health for life!