Nutrition Counseling for Dogs, Cats, and Small Animals in Abbotsford

What your pet eats affects everything, their weight, coat condition, energy, organ function, and long-term health trajectory. With hundreds of food options on the market and contradictory advice readily available, it is not always clear what the right choice is for your specific pet. Gladys Pet Hospital offers professional nutrition counselling for dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters in Abbotsford, helping pet owners make informed feeding decisions based on their animal's health status, life stage, and individual needs. Our team is open seven days a week to support your pet's nutritional health at every stage of their life.

Life-Stage Nutrition Plans

Nutritional requirements change significantly as pets grow and age. Puppies need a diet that supports rapid bone and muscle development without contributing to growth that is too fast for their frame, particularly in large and giant breeds. High-quality puppy food provides the right balance of protein, fat, calcium, and calories to fuel healthy development through the first year. Kittens have their own distinct requirements, including a higher protein and fat content to support their faster metabolic rate and the development of lean body mass. A diet formulated specifically for kittens, rather than a general formula, gives them the best start. Adult dogs and cats benefit from a maintenance diet that supports a healthy body weight, coat condition, and organ function. The right adult food depends on factors such as activity level, breed, and whether a pet has been spayed or neutered. Senior pets, generally dogs and cats aged seven and older, often benefit from adjustments that account for slower metabolism, changes in joint health, and shifts in kidney and liver function. Some senior pets do well on a standard adult food, while others benefit from a life-stage-specific formulation. Our team will help you understand what your individual pet needs as they age and when a diet change may be worth considering.

Weight Management for Pets in Abbotsford

Maintaining a healthy body weight is one of the most significant things you can do for your pet's long-term quality of life. Excess weight places additional stress on joints, makes physical activity harder, and is associated with a range of health concerns over time. At the same time, underweight pets face their own set of challenges, including reduced immune function and slower recovery from illness. Our team assesses your pet's body condition, discusses their current diet and feeding habits, and helps develop a practical weight management plan. Rapid weight loss is never the goal, gradual, sustainable progress is safer and more likely to be maintained.

Custom Nutrition Planning

Some pets have dietary needs that go beyond standard food selection. Pets with food sensitivities, gastrointestinal concerns, skin and coat issues, kidney concerns, or other health conditions may benefit from a carefully selected or veterinary-recommended diet. Our team works with you to identify a diet that supports your pet's specific health situation. We stock a range of veterinary-recommended diets on-site, and we can provide guidance on transitioning to a new food in a way that minimizes digestive disruption.

Nutrition Counselling for Rabbits and Small Animals

Rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters have dietary needs that differ significantly from those of dogs and cats. Rabbits require unlimited grass hay as the foundation of their diet, supplemented with fresh leafy greens and a limited amount of pellets. Imbalanced feeding, too many pellets, too few greens, or the wrong hay type, can contribute to dental disease, gastrointestinal stasis, and obesity over time. Guinea pigs require dietary vitamin C because they cannot synthesize it on their own. Our team provides species-appropriate nutrition guidance for all the small animals we see, helping owners understand what a balanced, healthy diet looks like in practice.

Explore More Services

Wellness program and preventive care packages

Pet care services including wellness exams

Medical services for a wide range of conditions

FAQs

How do I know if my dog is at a healthy weight?

A basic body condition check involves running your hands along your dog’s sides. You should be able to feel the ribs without pressing hard, but they should not be visibly prominent. Looking from above, your dog should have a visible waist. From the side, the abdomen should tuck upward behind the ribcage. If you are unsure, our team can assess your dog’s body condition during a wellness visit and let you know where they stand.

My cat keeps begging for food. Does that mean they are hungry?

Not necessarily. Cats often solicit food for reasons other than hunger, including boredom, habit, and attention-seeking. The right feeding amount depends on your cat’s size, age, activity level, and whether they are spayed or neutered. If your cat’s appetite has genuinely increased alongside weight loss, increased thirst, or other changes, that is worth discussing with our team, as these signs can sometimes indicate a medical concern.

Is a raw diet safe for my dog?

Raw feeding is a topic with strong opinions on both sides, and it is important to approach it with accurate information. Veterinary organizations generally highlight concerns around bacterial contamination, nutritional imbalance, and risks to both pets and household members. If you are interested in raw feeding, our team can discuss the considerations with you and help you make an informed decision based on your pet’s health status and your household situation.

What should I feed my guinea pig to keep them healthy?

A healthy guinea pig diet is built on unlimited grass hay (Timothy or orchard grass), fresh leafy greens such as romaine lettuce and cilantro, and a small amount of plain pellets formulated for guinea pigs. Vitamin C is essential and must come from fresh vegetables, as guinea pigs cannot produce it on their own. Bell peppers and leafy greens are good sources. Avoid foods high in sugar, starchy vegetables, and treats marketed for guinea pigs that contain added sugar. Our team can provide more detailed feeding guidance during a wellness visit.

Good nutrition is the foundation of good health. Gladys Pet Hospital's team provides personalized nutrition counselling for dogs, cats, and small animals in Abbotsford, open seven days a week. Book your consultation online at https://gladysvet.ca/appointment-booking/ or call (604) 850-2000 to get started.