UNDERSTANDING PET FOOD

Learn about supplements for pets: what they are, indications for use, and how to choose them.

Understanding the information on a pet food label can help when comparing and choosing pet foods.

Pet owners are increasingly interested in supplements for their pets. Since all supplements are not the same, their use and selection for an individual pet should be considered carefully. Veterinarians should ask about the use of supplements as part of a pet’s diet history.

Probiotics are a nutritional intervention that may help manage pet health issues from gastrointestinal tract and beyond.

High fiber diets are often recommended for people to support a healthy digestion. What is the role of fiber in pet foods?

Pet supplements are increasingly popular as owners become more aware of the potential benefits.

Manufacturing dry pet food is a science that has been studied extensively to safely produce complete and balanced diets that have all the nutrients that pets need to thrive. Understanding the production methods and benefits of dry kibble can help improve communication with owners about commercial pet food.

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

Information you can use to help pet owners understand why they should choose a complete and balanced diet to support their pet’s health. 

Postbiotics contain dead microorganisms and/or their components, but they still provide biological benefits for the microbiome and overall health. Learn more about this emerging topic in microbiome science.

Probiotics have a multitude of uses in veterinary medicine, including for healthy digestion, immune function, and anxious behaviors.

Probiotic taxonomy can seem daunting to veterinary health care teams and pet owners alike. Understanding taxonomic changes, or changes to the genus and/or species name of a probiotic, can help improve communication with owners about supplements.