VN October 2021

Vetnews | October 2021 35 Choosing the right food can be an overwhelming decision. There are thousands of options and many differing opinions on what makes a food “good”. When making a nutritional recommendation there are a few considerations and questions you should ask yourself: 1. Is it safe? 2. Is it nutritious? 3. Is it right for THIS pet? Is it safe: Safety is the number one priority for all pet owners. The first question anyone should ask when considering pet food should always be, ‘Is it safe?’ Factors that impact food safety: • Supplier validation and audits • Raw material evaluation • Manufacturing site • Production process and methods • Finished product packaging and storage • Quality control (at all levels) Regardless of all other qualities, we must be certain to ‘do no harm.’ Is it nutritious? Is the diet complete and balanced? In other words, does it supply the essential nutrients required for the basic nutritional needs of that species of animal? Good nutrition is about providing what the body needs. Feeding a complete and balanced formula indicates that a pet is receiving all essential nutrients needed to sustain everyday health. Complete and balanced nutrition can be achieved in a variety of ways for cats and dogs, combining any number of ingredients from many potential sources to deliver exactly what they need. Nutritional adequacy can be determined by two methods: 1. By ensuring the product complies with published nutritional guidelines, or 2. By undertaking specific feeding trials. Ingredient inclusions and exclusions give no indication of the quality of the nutrition provided. Each individual has requirements for nutrients, not for specific ingredients. The body digests and takes value from nutrients, regardless of which format it is presented in, as long as it is appropriate. Goals of nutrient-based nutrition: 1. Energy provision: Provide the energy that the animal needs in the right amount and format through precise levels of Protein, Fat and Carbohydrates. 2. Body development and maintenance: Meet the nutritional requirements for healthy physical development and maintenance through precise levels of Amino acids; Vitamins; Mineral and fatty acids. 3. Targeted support: Support long-term health by considering common concerns, including for example the effects of ageing, urinary issues, digestive problems, and skin conditions through precise levels of Antioxidants; Fibre; Prebiotics; Essential fatty acids. 4. Special care: Very specific nutrients can be limited or added in certain formulations to help cats and dogs affected by particular health issues. Is it right for this pet? Is the food adapted to the precise needs of this pet? To get food and feeding exactly right, a nutritional assessment will pave the way to a diet best suited to the individual. This means taking into consideration of food preferences, recent history, dietary sensitivities, specific requirements and even medical conditions. A specific food can be safe and nutritious but still not be the best choice for an animal. The right food will address the specific needs of the individual. It should respect the sensitivities of the pet, keep him in good, ongoing health and condition, fulfil dietary preferences, remain palatable and be inter-changeable as the pet’s needs change. A nutritional assessment should be performed by the veterinary practice team before a nutritional recommendation is made. This includes a complete diet history, full physical exam, and any necessary diagnostics, as per the WSAVA Nutritional Assessment Guidelines. Both the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) have published Nutritional Assessment Guidelines which provide a framework for making recommendations for every cat and dog. WSAVA’s Global Nutrition Committee also provides a Nutrition Toolkit, which contains ‘Recommendations on Selecting Pet Foods’. This resource suggests the key questions we should all ask pet food manufacturers to assess the quality and safety of their products. AAHA Nutritional Assessment Guidelines can be found at: www.aaha.org WSAVA Nutritional Assessment Guidelines can be found at: www.wsava.org Recommending and prescribing the right diet for your patients Dr Debby Bain