A key component of providing the best care for your dog or cat is ensuring they receive the best food and resources for them to live as happy and healthy as possible. For pet parents, the most important thing you can do is regularly take an active role in your pet’s health care regimen and work with your Parker & Ace vet team to decide the best plan for your pet.

Similar to people, pet nutrition includes the best diet to choose, what not to eat, how to identify any food allergies, how to properly manage weight, and more. Be sure to contact your Parker & Ace vet team for more individualized recommendations.

At Parker & Ace, we don’t treat veterinary care as one-plan-fits all. We make sure to take the time to get to know our patients, and create a personalized wellness plan based on their age, breed, lifestyle, behavior and specific nutritional needs. 
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The best strategy for feeding your pet well is to partner with your Parker & Ace vet team to perform a nutritional assessment. This means that your veterinarian will conduct a thorough physical examination to assess your pet’s body condition, body composition (lean versus fat), and to determine if there are any apparent medical conditions that require attention or could benefit from a change in diet, such as obesity, osteoarthritis, or kidney disease. 
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With all of the options out there, our Parker & Ace vet team can make an appropriate recommendation based on the needs of your pet. 
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The best method to choose a food for your pet is to ask your veterinarian.
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However, here are some general tips to help you decide what should go into your pet’s food bowl:

For dogs:

It is best not to feed cats anything other than food that is made just for them. Many common food items can be harmful to cats, including:

• Dairy containing lactose
• Onion (all varieties)
• Garlic
• Chocolate
• Raw egg, meat, bone, and yeast dough
• Grapes and raisins
• Alcoholic and caffeinated beverages

It is best not to feed your dog anything other than food that is made just for them. Many common food items that are harmful to dogs include:

• Chocolate
• Avocados
• Onions
• Garlic
• Grapes and raisins 
• Milk and other dairy products
• Sugary foods and drinks
• Caffeine
• Macadamia Nuts
• Alcoholic and caffeinated beverages

Often what we view as problematic behavior can actually be considered normal for a particular breed and species.
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By examining some common canine behaviors and the instincts that underlie these behaviors, we can better understand how to defuse situations without punishing them for doing what comes naturally.
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Nonetheless, if your dog or cat’s innate behavior becomes problematic, that’s where behavioral support and guidance can be very beneficial.
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Common dog behavioral issues include:

• Barking
• Chewing or biting (beyond what is normal during puppyhood)
• Digging
• Chasing
• Showing aggression

• Periodic wellness exams
• Vaccinations
• Puppy and kitten nutrition
• Behavior training
• Planning for spaying and neutering

Make an appointment to meet your Parker & Ace vet team and get new pet recommendations, tailored just for you and your new best friend.

Separation anxiety occurs when dogs become so distressed when separated from their owners that they cannot relax while being home alone. Generally speaking, dogs with separation anxiety often become anxious and show distress as the owners prepare to leave, will continue when left alone, and show exaggerated welcoming behaviors when you return. 
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What causes separation anxiety?
‍In some cases, separation anxiety develops as the dog becomes increasingly more attached to their owners; in other cases, there have been changes in the household that are distressing to the pup, or they have experienced something that caused anxiety when it was home alone.

Signs of separation anxiety
‍If you or your neighbors heard your furry friend being hyper-vocal after you’ve left the home or you come home to damaged property or inappropriate urination or defecation around the home, they likely suffer from some degree of separation anxiety.

If this sounds familiar, speak to your Parker & Ace vet team for recommendations or visit our resource library for tips.