Preventative Care
Nutritional Counseling in Lincoln, AR
Welcome to Smithers Animal Hospital-Lincoln, where our nutritional counseling services help you choose the best food option and design an exercise plan specifically suited for your pet.
Understanding Nutritional Counseling
Providing your pet with proper nutrition and adequate exercise is more important to the health and well-being of your pet than you may realize. It’s a fact that many diseases are rooted in poor nutrition. Dr. Smithers realizes that there are countless pet food brands and types that all claim to be the best on the market, and sorting through them on your own can be overwhelming.
Dogs and cats require 30 essential nutrients in their diet, including protein, essential acids, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Poor diet due to deficits in these nutrients can lead to conditions such as obesity, skin and coat issues, reduced resistance to disease, pancreatitis, and diabetes, to name a few.
To help prevent health problems such as these, your pet’s food should meet their caloric needs and should contain complete and balanced nutrition. That’s where our team comes in.
What to Expect During a Nutritional Consultation
Every pet is different, so every nutrition plan we make is built around your pet.
Getting to Know Your Pet
During a nutritional consultation at Smithers Animal Hospital-Lincoln, we will take into account your pet’s breed, weight, age, activity level, and special dietary needs. We’ll also ask what your pet eats now, including treats and table scraps.
Choosing the Right Food
We’ll help you choose the best food option for your pet from the many brands and types available. If your pet needs a prescription diet, we carry Hill’s Science Diet and Royal Canin in our pharmacy.
An Exercise and Weight Plan
Based on what we learn, we will develop a plan to help your pet maintain a healthy exercise level and weight.
Follow-Up Through Regular Checkups
With the help of our nutritional guidance, and through regular checkups such as a comprehensive physical exam, we can help your pet stay strong and in top physical condition.
Benefits of Nutritional Counseling for Your Pet
Good nutrition supports your pet at every stage of life, from growing puppies and kittens to older pets who may benefit from our senior packages.
- Complete and balanced nutrition. A diet that meets your pet’s caloric needs and supplies the essential nutrients they require.
- Healthy weight. A plan for food and exercise that helps your pet reach and keep a healthy weight.
- Prevention. Proper nutrition helps lower the risk of problems such as obesity, skin and coat issues, pancreatitis, and diabetes.
- Guidance you can trust. Clear advice from Dr. Smithers and our team, instead of guessing at marketing claims on the pet food aisle.
- Local care. Nutritional counseling for pets in Lincoln, Prairie Grove, Farmington, Summers, and beyond.
Schedule Your Pet’s Nutritional Consultation Today
Make an appointment with us today to make sure you’re doing the right things for your pet’s health and well-being.
Call us at (479) 824-3299 or visit us at 2157 E Pridemore Dr. in Lincoln. We’re open Monday through Thursday 7:30am–5:30pm and Friday 7:30am–5:00pm.
Nutritional Counseling: Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my pet need nutritional counseling?
Many diseases are rooted in poor nutrition, and with countless pet food brands all claiming to be the best, it can be hard to know what to feed. Nutritional counseling helps you choose a food that meets your pet’s caloric needs with complete and balanced nutrition, along with an exercise plan suited to your pet.
What health problems can poor nutrition cause?
Deficits in the 30 essential nutrients dogs and cats need can lead to conditions such as obesity, skin and coat issues, reduced resistance to disease, pancreatitis, and diabetes. A balanced diet that fits your pet’s needs is one of the best ways to help prevent these problems.
What do you consider when making a nutrition plan?
We take into account your pet’s breed, weight, age, activity level, and special dietary needs. Based on these criteria, we develop a plan to help your pet maintain a healthy exercise level and weight, and we follow up through regular checkups.
Do you carry prescription diets?
Yes. Our pharmacy carries prescription diets including Hill’s Science Diet and Royal Canin. If our veterinarian recommends a prescription diet for your pet, we can help you get started right away.
How do I schedule a nutritional consultation and what are your hours?
Call us at (479) 824-3299 or visit us at 2157 E Pridemore Dr. in Lincoln. We’re open Monday through Thursday 7:30am–5:30pm and Friday 7:30am–5:00pm. Bring the name of your pet’s current food so we can review it together.