MVH - Nutrition Consulting

Do you really know what is in your pet's food? Read our article on Understanding Pet Food Labels.

Learn more about our nutrition recommendations by clicking on the following topics.

Many owners do not even realize that their pet may be overweight. Weight and nutrition are important aspects of pet care and they should not be overlooked. Overweight pets face several dangers such as:

The Purina Company firmly believes in the proper weight control of companion animals. They conducted a 14-year Life Span Study to prove the health benefits of a dog kept on a lean diet.

This 14-year study began in 1987 and consisted of 48 Labrador Retriever dogs. The dogs were paired within their litters by gender and body weight and were randomly assigned into either a control or lean-fed group. The lean fed group always received 75% less than the control group but with the same 100% nutritionally complete and balanced diet.

The dogs were weighed weekly as puppies, periodically as adolescents, and weekly as adults. At the end of the study in 2001, Purina found the following results in the lean-fed group:

The next time you go to fill your dog’s bowl to the brim, you should stop and think about the Purina study. You should talk to your vet about setting up a correct feeding schedule for your dog. Many owners do not realize that they are overfeeding their companion, until they talk to their vet.

Hill's Prescription m/d

Hill's prescription m/d is low in carbohydrates and high in protein and it has been clinically proven to alter a cat's metabolism and aid in weight loss. This feline formula is ideal for diabetic cats as it contains various ingredients to improve insulin secretion, maintain normal insulin activity, improve glucose utilization, and control the increase in oxidative damage.

According to Hills, 25% of cats are considered overweight and this can lead to serious health risks such as:

Even if your cat doesn't have diabetes, prescription diet m/d may be just what your chubby kitty needs to shed those hard to lose pounds. Please ask if m/d is right for your cat!

Your pet’s dental health is important, and it is something that should not be overlooked. According to Hill’s Pet Nutrition, many dogs and cats by the age of three have developed signs of dental disease. Your pet cannot brush their teeth, so plaque and tartar build up easily.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition understands the risks of poor dental hygiene so they have created a prescription diet to help in the fight against plaque. The diet is called t/d and is a dry food formula that comes in a feline and canine version.

This diet is specifically formulated to reduce the amount of plaque and tartar buildup on the entire tooth. The kibble is considerably larger than other foods. It is created this way to “scrub” the tartar off the teeth near the gum line in addition to the tips of the teeth.

If your pet has a heavy build up of tartar, they are at risk of developing periodontal disease. Please ask one of our veterinarians if t/d is right for your pet.

If your dog is suffering from joint pain or is predisposed to developing arthritis, you should be asking one of our veterinarians about Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d.

This is an innovative food that helps with joint pain and improves mobility in dogs.

What makes this diet effective are the very high levels of an omega-3 fatty acid that is found in fish oil. The diet also has enhanced levels of glucosamine and chondroitin that help with the maintenance of healthy cartilage. Additionally, Hill’s Prescription j/d also contains L-carnitine that helps control optimum body weight.

Clinical trials have shown this diet effective at helping dogs enjoy a more active life for a longer time. Please ask for more information on this unique diet for your dog.

As your dog ages you may start to notice some changes in his/her behavior. As dogs age, their brain is more vulnerable to free radicals that are naturally produced by the body. The damage that these free radicals inflict on the brain often cause the behavioral changes that you may see in your older dog.

Fortunately, Hill’s Prescription Diet has formulated a food that can help improve these signs of aging. Prescription Diet Canine b/d is a blend of antioxidants and other nutrients that fight off brain aging. This diet has also shown to improve the learning ability in older dogs.

If you own a senior dog that is experiencing behavior changes, please speak to our staff about the benefits of feeding Prescription diet b/d.