Pets With Health Problems

Although food allergies are uncommon in dogs and cats, the only way to diagnose them is with an elimination diet trial. Learn tips to avoid common mistakes and to plan a successful elimination diet trial.

Often when pets, especially dogs, have an episode of vomiting or diarrhea, families ask me about feeding their pets some form of “bland” diet until they’re feeling better. However, the nutritional needs of pets with an upset stomach can get complicated and the word “bland” can mean many things.

Recently published research studies are shedding light on diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs.

Bilious vomiting syndrome is a term sometimes used to describe a condition where dogs vomit yellow fluid or froth but not food after not eating for a long period of time (which for most dogs is typically early in the morning after not eating overnight).

COVID-19 has caused turmoil in people’s lives this past year, but it has also had an impact on our pets’ lives, most recently because of some pet foods being temporarily out of stock. Here are some thoughts on ways to prevent running out and what to do if you do end up in that situation.

Pancreatitis is a common condition in both dogs and cats. Diet can be associated with the development of pancreatitis in dogs and an important part of treatment. Cats with pancreatitis are less responsive to diet, but tend to have additional health issues that may respond to dietary adjustments.

Cats, especially overweight ones, can develop a severe liver disease called hepatic lipidosis if they don’t eat enough calories for days to weeks. As a lack of nutrients is the cause of this condition, aggressive nutritional support is required to treat it. Hepatic lipidosis can be prevented by monitoring cat’s intake and seeking medical attention promptly if appetite decreases.

A low sodium diet can be an important modification for a pet with heart disease. However, many pet owners do not realize how much sodium is in commercial pet foods and common human foods fed to pets. Test your sodium savvy with our quiz!

Many health conditions can result in pets who cannot or will not eat enough calories to maintain weight or will not eat foods that are best for their health conditions. Placement of a feeding tube can help the pet recover faster from short-term illness or injury as well as helping to preserve quality of life and often increasing length of life for pets with chronic health conditions.

Older pets can suffer from Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome, which is similar to dementia in people. While the disease is irreversible, some nutritional alterations have been shown to help affected pets