A Multi-Discipline
Referral Hospital
1 Pine St.
Tinton Falls, NJ
gsvs.org
24 HOUR EMERGENCY & CRITICAL CARE 732-922-0011
No Appointment Needed For Emergency Care
24-Hour Emergency Care
State-of-the-Art Diagnostics
Veterinarian Always in Attendance
Hospitals Open 24 Hours/Day, 365 Days/Year
Appointments with Specialists Available:
Thomas D. Scavelli, DVM, Diplomate ACVS, Director
TheJournalNJ.com | APRIL 2020 39
24 HOUR EMERGENCY & CRITICAL CARE
643 Route 27
Iselin, NJ
gsvservices.org
732-283-3535
24 HOUR EMERGENCY & CRITICAL CARE
3135 Victory Blvd.
Staten Island, NY
gsivetservices.org
917-830-1380
What Kind of Food
Should I Feed
My Pet?
GARDEN STATE VETERINARY SPECIALISTS Just as we face a multitude of food choices for ourselves when we
enter the supermarket, so are we faced with a number of options
for our pets. Pet owners wishing to give their pets the best food
available can be left confused and overwhelmed. Our pets sometimes
have their own preferences too, preferring wet over dry or a semi-moist
food. To further complicate the matter, manufacturers are now labeling
products as natural, holistic, premium or organic. The simple answer to
the question of what you should feed your pet can be answered best by
your veterinarian.
Your veterinarian can make recommendations based upon your
pet’s age, activity level and medical condition. For example, a healthy
puppy or kitten will generally need a food that is specially formulated
for them. Pet food is labeled for life stages such as puppies, adult maintenance,
gestation or lactation, and senior foods for older dogs. All pet
foods should meet the Association of American Feed Control Ofcials
(AAFCO) standards. The AAFCO sets guidelines for the content of protein,
fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in commercially produced
pet food. When choosing a pet food, check the ingredient label
for an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement indicating that the food
provides complete and balanced nutrition.
If you decide to change your pet’s diet, it is always recommended
to make the change gradually to avoid intestinal upset. Ideally, the new
food should be mixed with the old food over a period of a week to give
their system time to adjust. When switching to a new food to resolve a
medical issue, it may require six to eight weeks after the transition to the
new diet to see if the change of diet resolves the problem.
Another issue owners are concerned about is just how much to feed
their pet. Some pets will eat as much food as they are given whereas others
are a bit pickier. Our pets should be a healthy weight, over eating
will put them at risk for the same types of health issues that an obese
person may face. Although tempted to do so, owners should refrain from
offering their pets food from the table. Some foods, such as chocolate and
grapes, while good for humans, can prove toxic to a pet. Our pets receive
all of their nutritional needs in commercially prepared food that is certi-
ed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If you have questions or
concerns about your pet’s diet, discuss them with your veterinarian since
they know your pet best.
The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only and
is not intended to take the place of the advice of a veterinarian.
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