Meet the National Zoo's dietary Dr. DoolittleAugust 2, 2022As senior nutritionist and head of the department of nutrition science at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C., Mike Maslanka has a lot of hungry mouths to feed each day: nearly 1,800 across 360 species ranging from Asian elephants to black pacus, a fruit-eating relative of the piranha.
SPONSORED CONTENTIs your parasite protocol missing something?Adding Hill’s GI nutrition to your parasite protocol supports GI healing for more complete diarrhea management than medication alone. + Learn More
Safe pet food handling misunderstood by many ownersJune 7, 2022A recent NC State study reveals most owners are unaware of U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s pet food safety guidelines.
Learn the truth about carbs and catsMay 26, 2022Some owners feed their cats canned food instead of kibble to keep carbohydrates down, but is that really true?
Why going beyond Body Condition Scoring can help overweight caninesMay 3, 2022Veterinarians can flag dogs that are overweight at routine exams by performing Body Condition Scoring (BCS). Identifying these dogs is of vital importance as they are at an increased risk for heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, inflammatory diseases, and osteoarthritis. Counseling pet owners on the nutritional management of obesity can go a long way in terms of increasing the lifespan and quality of life of our four-legged friends.
Revisiting the world of canine raw dietsMarch 1, 2022Proponents of raw diets offer varied theoretical arguments for why they should be healthier than commercial cooked foods.
Tips for discussing weight management with clientsDecember 29, 2021Pet obesity has been rising at an alarmingly rate, so much so some professionals are calling it a national epidemic.
What is your role in probiotic education?November 15, 2021In the past decade, probiotics have become increasingly accepted as an adjunct therapy for acute and chronic gastrointestinal conditions in both humans and animals.
How do fresh food diets compare to their commercial cousins?November 4, 2021Nutrition is one of the most frequent subjects clients want to discuss, and often one of the most controversial.
Cats love a free meal, study showsAugust 31, 2021When given the choice between a readily available meal and one that requires a bit of effort, cats tend to take the easy route.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveNutrition: Why treading lightly is often the best approachAugust 12, 2021By Patty Khuly, VMD, MBANutrition has evolved into the one area I’ve learned to tread lightly. It’s the third rail of all exam room topics of conversation, second only to politics and religion for the fervor it inspires — especially should you accidentally trip on a stray word in the minefield of unmentionable ingredients or excesses.
