What Is Holistic Pet Nutrition?

Holistic pet nutrition focuses on feeding natural, minimally processed foods while also looking at your pet's overall health and individual needs.

When I work with a dog or cat, I look at the whole pet, not just the health problem. Two pets with the same health problem may need very different diets and supplements. This is why I look at each pet individually before deciding what to recommend. 

What Does a Holistic Pet Nutritionist Do?

As a holistic pet nutritionist, I look at your pet's health problems first and then at the whole picture. This includes the diet, supplements, medications, blood work, weight, activity level, and lifestyle. I spend time reviewing your pet's health records and researching their individual needs before developing a detailed nutritional and holistic program. Your program brings everything together, including what I found in your pet's health records, what I think about the current diet, and specific recommendations for foods, supplements, and lifestyle changes.

My goal is to develop recommendations specifically for your pet, rather than following the same plan for every dog or cat. 

Why Every Pet Needs an Individual Approach

There is no single food or supplement that is right for every dog or cat. What works well for one pet may not be the best choice for another.

For example, an overweight dog needs a different nutritional program than a dog that is losing weight. A pet with digestive problems may need something completely different from a pet with allergies, kidney problems, or cancer.

What Can Holistic Pet Nutrition Help With?

Nutrition can play an important role in many health problems. Some of the conditions I work with include: 

• Allergies and skin problems 
• Digestive problems 
• Pancreatitis 
• Kidney and liver problems 
• Diabetes 
• Seizures 
• Cancer 
• Arthritis and joint problems 
• Weight problems 
• Senior pet nutrition 

I also work with healthy dogs and cats. You do not have to wait until your pet develops a health problem to take a closer look at the diet.

Looking at the Quality of Your Pet’s Food

One of the first things I look at during a consultation is what your pet eats every day. This includes dry food, canned food, homemade food, and treats. I also look at any supplements your pet is taking.

I pay close attention to the ingredient list. I look for good-quality animal protein and whole-food ingredients and try to avoid foods with a lot of fillers, artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors.

A food does not have to say “holistic” or “natural” on the bag to be a good food. What matters is what is actually in it and whether it is a good choice for your individual pet.

During a consultation, I can help you sort through the many pet food choices and decide which foods are best for your dog or cat.

Choosing the Right Supplements for Your Pet

Supplements can be helpful, but more is not always better. I often see pets taking several supplements that contain many of the same ingredients or some they may not need.

During a holistic pet nutrition consultation, I can help you decide which supplements may be helpful, which ones may not be necessary, and how they fit into your pet's overall nutritional program.

Homemade Diets and Holistic Pet Nutrition

For some pet owners, a homemade diet is a good option because it gives you more control over the quality and ingredients in your pet's food. I also understand that preparing homemade food is not practical for everyone. In those cases, I can help you choose a high-quality dry, canned, or freeze-dried food that is appropriate for your pet.

For pet owners who choose a homemade diet, I will develop recipes based on your pet's weight, health problems, food preferences, and nutritional needs.

Working With Your Veterinarian

Holistic pet nutrition does not replace veterinary care. If your pet has a health problem, I recommend having your veterinarian determine what is going on before making major changes to the diet.

When blood work or other test results are available, I use that information along with your pet's diet, medications, supplements, and symptoms when developing a nutritional program.

Nutrition and veterinary care can work together. My role is to help you decide what to feed, which supplements may be helpful, and what other natural changes may support your pet.

What Happens During a Holistic Pet Nutrition Consultation?

Before the consultation, I spend time reviewing your pet's health history, blood work, medications, supplements, current diet, and the information you provide on the evaluation form.

During the consultation, we go through my recommendations together. I explain why I made each recommendation, what to feed, when to feed, which supplements to use, and the changes I feel are important for your pet. I also take the time to answer your questions and make sure you feel comfortable with the program and know exactly what to do when we are finished.

After the consultation, you will receive a detailed nutritional and holistic program developed specifically for your pet. This includes an evaluation of the current diet, food recommendations, homemade recipes, supplements, treats, and lifestyle changes.

Is Holistic Pet Nutrition Right for Your Pet?

You do not have to wait until your dog or cat has a serious health problem to schedule a consultation. I work with healthy pets as well as pets with ongoing health problems.

A consultation can help if you are confused about what to feed, want to improve your pet's diet, are considering a homemade diet, or need help choosing the right supplements.

If your pet has a health problem, I can develop a complete nutritional and holistic program designed around that problem and your pet's individual needs. This gives you clear direction on what to feed, which supplements to use, and other changes you can make to support your pet naturally.

A Personalized Approach to Your Pet’s Nutrition

Not knowing what to feed your pet, which supplements to use, or what to do when your dog or cat has a health problem can be overwhelming. You do not have to figure everything out on your own.

If you would like nutritional and natural support for your dog or cat, contact For Pet Health to schedule a holistic pet nutrition consultation.