Pet owners often ask veterinary health care providers why organs are included in pet food. There are nutritional advantages to including organs, and utilizing organs in dog and cat food is also beneficial for the environment.

Although medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) do not supply essential fatty acids and thus should not be the only dietary fat source in pet food, 1 studies show supplementing MCTs in the diet can provide health benefits to some dogs.

Encouraging picky cats to eat can be frustrating for veterinary health care providers and pet owners alike. Managing medical conditions and stress and implementing strategies to improve food intake can help finicky felines meet their energy and nutrient needs. These strategies apply to hospitalized cats and cats in a home environment.

Read about the role of nutrition in the management of canine and feline chronic kidney disease, and about factors that impact food intake and renal diet acceptance in cats.

Watch Dr. Julie Churchill and Dr. Sarah Abood role-play a veterinarian’s conversation with a client who is unaware her dog Benny is obese.

Life stage and other factors can affect the immune system in dogs and cats. Research has shown that feeding a diet supplemented with colostrum may provide support during times of challenge by promoting a strong local and systemic immune response. 

Age is not a disease, but it is a risk factor for disease and pets’ aging trajectories will vary by individual. Biological age, measured by biological clocks, can indicate whether a pet is aging in a healthy, or unhealthy, manner. 

Therapeutic protocols are modified when new information becomes available. One recent protocol change concerns antibiotic use for diarrhea. Share this handout with clients to help explain why antibiotic use for diarrhea is not recommended.

In this Hot Topic video, Callie Harris, DVM, shares practical guidance on supplementation, from supplement quality evaluation and manufacturer standards, to avoiding over-supplementation and potential toxicity.

Share these tips with pet owners to help keep them engaged and motivated during their pet's weight loss program.

Share this handout with pet owners to help explain that nutritional needs may change after their pet is spayed or neutered.

Share this handout with pet owners so they understand the importance of obtaining your recommendation on which supplement(s) to give their pet.