Nutrition
Providing wholesome food is one of the most important ways to help your pet stay well and live a long time. Bloomfield Animal Hospital offers high-quality dry and canned foods, vitamins, and supplements to keep your pet healthy and active for many years. Our veterinarians also provide nutritional counseling such as the following tips.
The vital role of fresh
water in pet diets is often overlooked. An animal should have about two and a half times as much water as food each day. It is best to be sure your pet has access to clean, cool water at all times.
Both dogs and cats are naturally carnivorous, so
protein is essential to their wellbeing. Lean animal products supply the highest quality protein. However, an older pet may benefit from a lower protein diet, such as a food that combines animal and vegetable proteins. The protein called taurine cannot be synthesized by cats, so it is always a good idea to provide a food made for your pet’s own species.
Fats are high energy source, and vital for the health of skin and coat. However, some fats cannot be easily digested and utilized by pets, leading to health problems. Superior quality foods have the right types and balance of fats, derived from plants and animals, to keep pets in the glow of good health.
Carbohydrates are another great source of energy for pets. However, poor-quality foods are loaded with carbs because they are cheaper to produce than foods with balanced nutrition. Your pet stores energy from excess carbs as fat. It is much easier to prevent obesity with good nutrition and exercise, than it is to help a pet lose extra pounds.
Vitamins and
minerals comprise the smallest portion of your pet’s food in mass. They are vital, though to a healthy nervous system. They allow your pet’s body to process bio-chemicals that fight disease, keep bones and teeth strong, aid in cell regeneration, and support heart health.
A word about
table scraps . . . "People food" does not provide the balanced nutrition your pet needs to live well, and some can be harmful or fatal to animals. The more you feed table scraps, the less your pet will want to eat his or her own food. A good rule of thumb is to limit treats from the table to no more than five percent of your pet's daily food intake, and NONE is better. Why not substitute nutritious pet treats instead, while you enjoy your own dinner.
Good nutrition now can help to prevent diseases later, avoid kidney stones, and keep bones, joints, and lower back healthy. We recommend the proper type of food for young, adult, or senior pets; diet formulations to get your pet back to a healthy weight; and hypoallergenic foods for pets with skin issues. Bloomfield Animal Hospital is your partner in preventing illness and promoting vigorous health through pet nutrition. Call us today at (562) 383-7788 to learn more.
Bloomfield Animal Hospital is a trusted name in pets’ preventive, medical,
surgical, and
emergency care in Lakewood, CA. With a 30-year history as a family-owned pet clinic, it provides modern services in a warm, friendly environment. It’s one of the few veterinary hospitals to be
AAHA-accredited.
Dr. Jose Arambulo, owner and chief veterinarian, is experienced in treating eye, ear, and skin disorders and is especially interested in internal medicine, dentistry, and soft tissue surgery. He earned his BS in Medical Technology from the
University of Santo Tomas and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the
University of the Philippines. He completed clinical evaluation for veterinary medicine at
Purdue University in Indiana and was a veterinarian at Banfield and California before acquiring Bloomfield Animal Hospital.
Dr. Arambulo is an active member of the
American Veterinary Medical Association,
Veterinary Information Network,
Southern California Veterinary Medical Association,
Southern California Filipino Veterinary Medical Association, and the
Lakewood Chamber of Commerce.
Our Traveling Surgeon,
Dr. Zachery Smith, is a Diplomate of the
American College of Veterinary Surgeons. He specializes in complex orthopedic and soft tissue surgery. While training, he worked with some of the best orthopedic surgeons in the country. He has lectured both locally and internationally. Dr. Smith plays a leading role at Veterinary Orthopedics of California, which is dedicated to providing high-level surgical services to pets.
Our visiting physician,
Dr. Fred Brewer, is a veterinary cardiologist board-certified by the
American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology at
UCLA and earned his veterinary degree from
Cornell University in 2009. Later, he completed a one-year general rotating internship at the California Animal Hospital Veterinary Specialty Group in West Los Angeles and a three-year cardiology residency at Cornell University.
