At Animal Hospital of Cambridge, we are delighted to offer specialized nutrition consultations for cats and dogs with Dr. Caitlin Grant, our Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionist. See below for steps to booking a consultation.

Proper nutrition plays a vital role in the overall health and well-being of your beloved cats and dogs. Our nutritionist is dedicated to providing expert guidance and personalized dietary plans tailored to your pet’s specific needs. Whether your furry friend requires weight management, has a medical condition, or simply needs a nutrition assessment, our nutrition consultations are designed to optimize their health and enhance their quality of life.

1. Why consult with a nutritionist?

When it comes to your pet’s nutrition, there’s no substitute for professional expertise. Here’s why consulting with a veterinary nutritionist can make a significant difference in your pet’s health: 

• Personalized Nutrition Assessment: Our nutritionist will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your pet’s dietary history, lifestyle, and specific health concerns. This personalized approach allows us to identify any nutrition deficiencies, allergies, or potential risks associated with your pet’s current diet. By understanding your pet’s unique nutrition needs, we can develop a customized feeding plan to promote optimal health and prevent future problems. 
• Specialized Knowledge and Training: Board-certified veterinary nutritionists undergo extensive education and training to gain expertise in animal nutrition. They possess in-depth knowledge of the latest scientific research, dietary trends, and nutrition requirements for different species, breeds, and life stages. By consulting with a nutritionist, you can tap into their specialized knowledge and benefit from evidence-based recommendations for your pet’s diet. 
• Medical Condition Management: Many medical conditions can be influenced by diet. Whether your pet is dealing with gastrointestinal disorders, allergies, kidney disease, diabetes, or obesity, our nutritionist can play a crucial role in managing these conditions through dietary interventions. They can recommend therapeutic diets tailored to your pet’s unique needs, helping to alleviate symptoms, promote healing, and improve overall well-being.

2. What common medical conditions can a nutritionist help with?

Our veterinary nutritionist can provide valuable guidance and support for a wide range of medical conditions that pets may have, including: 

• Weight Management: Obesity is a prevalent issue among pets, and it can lead to various health problems, such as joint issues, heart disease, and diabetes. Our nutritionist can create a customized weight management plan, incorporating balanced nutrition and portion control, to help your pet achieve and maintain a healthy weight. 
• Food Allergies and Sensitivities: Pets can develop allergies or sensitivities to certain ingredients in their food, resulting in skin irritations, digestive issues, and discomfort. Our nutritionist can identify potential allergens and formulate a diet that avoids these triggers, ensuring your pet receives proper nutrition while managing their allergies effectively. 
• Gastrointestinal Disorders: Digestive problems, such as chronic diarrhea, vomiting, or inflammatory bowel disease, can greatly impact your pet’s quality of life. Our nutritionist can develop specialized diet plans that are gentle on the gastrointestinal tract, promoting digestive health and reducing symptoms. 
• Renal (Kidney) Disease: Kidney disease is a common condition in aging pets, and appropriate dietary management is crucial in slowing its progression and maintaining kidney function. Our nutritionist can recommend a specialized renal diet that helps manage your pet’s condition, ensuring a balanced nutrition profile while reducing the workload on the kidneys.

3. Can a nutritionist aid with homemade diets?

Some pet owners are choosing to feed human foods instead of, or in combination with, commercial pet foods. Feeding a homemade diet can create problems such as nutrient deficiencies or toxicities, and over or underfeeding calories. Our nutritionist uses a computer formulation software that considers the nutrient profile of the human foods that are to be fed and can create individualized recipes tailored to your pet’s unique needs, ensuring that all nutrient requirements are met.

4. What benefits are there for cats and dogs to be followed by a nutritionist?

By having your cat or dog regularly followed by a nutritionist, you can experience numerous advantages that contribute to their overall health and well-being: 

• Optimal Nutrition Balance: A nutritionist can assess pet food, beyond information reported on the pet food label to ensure that your pet receives the precise balance of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals necessary for their specific life stage, breed, and health condition. They will develop a customized diet plan that meets all your pet’s nutrition requirements, helping to support their immune system, promote healthy growth, and maintain an ideal body condition. 
• Weight Management and Obesity Prevention: Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for your pet’s overall health and longevity. A nutritionist can design a tailored weight management program that includes portion control, appropriate calorie intake, and a balanced diet. By addressing weight-related issues, such as obesity, a nutritionist can help prevent or manage associated health problems and improve your pet’s quality of life. 
• Enhanced Digestive Health: Digestive disorders can lead to discomfort, nutrient malabsorption, and a diminished quality of life for your pet. A nutritionist can identify specific dietary factors that may contribute to digestive issues and create a customized feeding plan to promote optimal digestive health. This may involve selecting easily digestible ingredients, incorporating prebiotics or probiotics, or managing food sensitivities. 
• Support for Medical Conditions: Many medical conditions can benefit from targeted nutrition interventions. Whether your pet is dealing with diabetes, kidney disease, allergies, or other health issues, a nutritionist can develop a specialized diet that supports the management and treatment of these conditions. The precise balance of nutrients can help control symptoms, minimize complications, and improve your pet’s overall health and vitality. 
• Long-Term Health Maintenance: Regular consultations with a nutritionist can establish a long-term relationship focused on proactive health maintenance. The nutritionist will monitor your pet’s progress, adjust the diet as needed, and provide ongoing support and guidance. A pet’s nutrition needs will also change throughout their life as they age and develop new medical conditions. Having a nutritionist involved can allow for adjustments to the diet plan to account for changing needs and help prevent potential health problems.
   

How to Book a Consultation

Please ask your veterinarian to contact strategicnutrition@ahocvet.com to initiate the referral process. 
Pet owners will be contacted to book a consultation. Consultations are available either in-person, over-the-phone, or via video.