Category: Veterinary health

While the terms are often used interchangeably, leading to confusion among pet owners and livestock managers, the core concept remains the same: unrestricted access to food. A recent survey revealed that nearly 60% of pet owners who practice free feeding believe they are monitoring their pet's food intake effectively, yet free feeding is a major contributor to pet obesity. Understanding the nuances is crucial for appropriate animal management.

According to veterinary experts, refeeding a starved animal too quickly can be fatal, a condition known as refeeding syndrome. The body of a malnourished dog undergoes complex metabolic shifts to survive, and a sudden influx of food overwhelms this system, causing severe and potentially deadly complications. This guide provides a safe, vet-recommended protocol for reintroducing food and helping a starved dog recover.

While the internet is rife with claims about the acidifying effects of various foods, it is well-documented that corn can indeed cause a severe and even fatal form of acidosis in ruminant animals such as cattle and deer. This differs significantly from the effect, or lack thereof, on human metabolism and pH balance.

Carnivores like felines and canines have proportionally larger livers than herbivores due to their high-protein, high-fat diet. The liver is a vital organ that acts as the primary metabolic and filtering hub, specializing in processing the unique nutritional demands of a carnivorous lifestyle, including protein metabolism, detoxification, and bile production.

According to studies, white muscle disease (WMD) is a well-documented nutritional disorder in livestock and other animals, most often caused by a dietary deficiency of selenium and/or vitamin E. This condition leads to the degeneration of skeletal and cardiac muscles, which is especially detrimental to young, fast-growing animals.

Royal Canin Gastrointestinal diets are specialized formulas, and in most regions, they are sold exclusively through veterinarians to address specific digestive health issues. Understanding the precise ingredients in these prescription diets is crucial for pet owners.

Animals can survive for weeks without food, but only days without water. While many nutrients are important for survival, water is the most essential nutrient for animals, critical for nearly every bodily function.

While estimates show a significant portion of the global human population is undernourished, parallels in animal care highlight a critical need for understanding nutritional science. Grasping what are the factors affecting nutritional need per animal is fundamental for ensuring their health, welfare, and productivity.

Ad libitum, a Latin term meaning 'at will,' describes a feeding method where animals have unrestricted access to food, eating whenever they choose. While this approach can mimic natural foraging behaviors, over 50% of domestic pets in some regions are considered overweight or obese, a condition potentially impacted by free-choice feeding. This method is a key topic in animal husbandry and pet care, sparking debate over its suitability for different species.

While a beloved cooking ingredient for humans, garlic is highly toxic to dogs and cats, even in small amounts. Garlic poisoning, or allium toxicity, is not a typical foodborne illness in humans but rather a significant risk for pets, while in people, it is usually linked to specific handling mistakes or sensitivities.