What your pet eats every day has a direct and lasting impact on their energy, body condition, organ function, immune system, and longevity. The nutrition counseling program at Alta Vista Animal Hospital in Dunbar, Vancouver provides personalized dietary guidance for dogs and cats at every life stage, from puppies and kittens to seniors and pets with specific health needs. Our team helps you navigate the many food options available and make informed, confident choices for your pet.
Obesity is the most common preventable health condition in pets and is associated with a significantly increased risk of joint disease, diabetes, cardiac conditions, and reduced life expectancy. At Alta Vista Animal Hospital, weight management counseling begins with a thorough assessment of your pet's current body condition, daily caloric intake, and activity level. Our team creates a specific, achievable weight loss or maintenance plan with clear portion targets, recheck milestones, and adjustments as your pet progresses. We make the plan practical for your household and realistic for your pet's daily routine.
Puppies have significantly higher energy and nutrient requirements than adult dogs, and the right diet during the growth phase directly shapes bone density, muscle development, and immune function. Our team recommends a high-quality diet labelled for growth or all life stages, formulated to AAFCO standards. For large and giant breed puppies, a large-breed specific formula is important to support controlled, healthy growth and protect developing joints. We assess your puppy's body condition at every visit and adjust feeding recommendations as they grow.
Kittens require a diet rich in animal protein and calories to support rapid growth, neurological development, and immune function in the first year of life. A kitten-specific diet fed in small, frequent meals until 9 to 12 months supports healthy weight gain without excessive fat accumulation. We also discuss the role of wet food in supporting hydration, which is particularly important in cats given their naturally low thirst drive. Our team provides portion guidance based on your kitten's current weight and expected adult size.
Adult dogs and cats between approximately one and seven years of age have stable nutritional requirements that change gradually over time. The priorities during adulthood include maintaining a healthy body weight, supporting dental health where possible through diet and chew choice, and ensuring that the diet meets all nutritional needs without excess caloric density. Our team reviews your pet's diet, body condition, and activity level at each annual wellness visit and provides specific recommendations where adjustments would be beneficial.
As dogs and cats age, their digestive efficiency, caloric needs, and specific nutrient requirements change. Senior pets may need diets that are lower in certain nutrients to support kidney or liver health, or higher in certain nutrients to maintain muscle mass and support joint function. Our team assesses your senior pet's body condition, bloodwork results, and any diagnosed health conditions when making dietary recommendations, and adjusts the plan over time as their health evolves.
Giant breed dogs have specific nutritional needs throughout their life that differ from those of small and medium breeds. In puppyhood, controlled growth supported by a large-breed formula is essential for joint health. In adulthood, joint support through diet and appropriate body weight management is a priority. Our team provides nutritional guidance for giant breeds at every life stage, including breed-specific feeding targets, appropriate supplement discussions, and guidance on managing the weight that can put stress on large joints over time.
Certain health conditions, including kidney disease, liver disease, urinary tract conditions, food allergies, and gastrointestinal disease, are significantly influenced by diet and may benefit from a therapeutic diet formulated to address those conditions. Our team will discuss therapeutic diet options and help you select and transition to an appropriate choice for your pet's specific needs. We always use the term therapeutic diet rather than other terms to accurately reflect the nature of these veterinary-formulated products.
Schedule a nutrition consultation for your pet at Alta Vista Animal Hospital in Dunbar, Vancouver. Our team provides personalized dietary guidance for every life stage. Call (604) 221-5858 or book at https://altavistaanimalhospital.ca/make-an-appointment/.
