Q&A With Chief Veterinary Officer At Purina
This post was sponsored by Just Right by Purina. All Opinions are my own.
My partnership with Just Right with Purina has brought me some pretty amazing opportunities over the last year. From having a personal chef customize a recipe for Dustin & I, to being able to donate $1,000.00 to the Idaho Falls Animal Shelter for the holiday season, it’s been nothing short of a dream to work with a company that I truly stand behind and use. This month, JRBP pulled back the veil and let me have a Q&A with Dr. Kurt Venator, Chief Veterinary Officer at Purina. It was awesome to send in questions specific to Teddy & Rosie and get feedback and direction on how I can continue to be the best furmom to my doggos as possible.
Rosie and Teddy have been on Just Right by Purina kibble for over a year now and we’ve seen nothing but improvements in their overall health, coats, and energy. Feeding them JRBP kibble has taught me how important personalized dog food is to a dog, especially since each dog has different needs. Rosie is getting older and Teddy has been dealing with elbow dysplasia for almost a year, so I wanted to ask Dr. Venator what I needed to be aware of in terms of their nutrition as I helped them navigate through those life events.
Even though I got to ask Dr. Venator questions specific to Rosie and Teddy, I wanted to share his answers because I found them very informative and think that it could be helpful to anyone who has a dog and is looking to improve their nutrition!
Q&A With Chief Veterinary Officer at Purina:
Chelsie: Rosie, my golden retriever mix, tends to suffer from seasonal allergies (goopy eyes and itchy, flakey skin). Are there any nutritional changes I can make to her food to help her fight those allergy side effects?
Dr. Kurt Venator: Seasonal allergies, or atopy, are the second most common causes of allergies in dogs. The role of dietary management in canine atopy, dermatitis, and other inflammatory skin conditions is to provide a proper balance of total nutrients while meeting the special dietary needs of the patient. Nutritional management of dermatitis involves providing nutrients that can support healthy skin and help to reduce the production of inflammatory mediators. Essential fatty acids, key vitamins, and amino acids, and trace minerals such as zinc, are critical to healthy skin.
Chelsie: My doodle, Teddy, suffered from elbow dysplasia and had to have surgery to correct it. Are there any adjustments I could make to his food to help promote healing and better joint health?
Dr. Kurt Venator: Healthy bones & joints are important. A diet with nutrients like calcium, glucosamine & Omega-3 fatty acids can help your dog stay on the go. I would also suggest that you speak with your veterinarian around what nutritional solution would be best for Teddy.
Chelsie: Rosie, my golden retriever mix, is turning six at the end of the year, do I need to make any adjustments to her nutrition as she gets older?
Dr. Kurt Venator: From puppy to adult to senior, your dog’s needs will change throughout life. As she grows, so will the nutritional requirements. Here are some tips for finding the best nutrition for your older dog. When your dog is around seven years old, her nutritional needs may begin to change. Consider choosing a high-quality food containing natural sources of glucosamine and EPA to help maintain healthy joints and mobility. Older dogs are often less active and can be prone to gaining weight, so your senior dog may benefit from a diet that’s lower in calories to help him obtain his ideal weight and maintain it. Mature dogs may also require high amounts of protein, helping them maintain lean body mass, and stay stronger, longer.
Chelsie: What is the most important thing to be aware of when choosing a kibble for a dog?
Dr. Kurt Venator: Feeding your dog a complete and balanced dog food is one of the most important things you can do for his health. So how do you choose a healthy dog food? The truth is that there is no “most healthy dog food” because different dogs have different nutritional needs. Instead, there are a few key factors you should take into account when you’re choosing healthy food for your dog.
Here are four things Dr. Kurt Venator said to consider when picking a food for your dog:
Look for a food formulated for your dog’s age: Dogs have different nutritional needs at different points in their lives, so feeding your dog a healthy food formulated for his life stage is an important way to make sure he’s getting all the nutrients he needs.
Consider healthy food formulated for your dog’s size: Some dogs do better on a diet formulated specifically for their size. Large or giant breed dogs may benefit from dog food made with glucosamine, which supports healthy joints, and small or toy breed dogs may find it easier to dig into food with small, bite-sized kibble.
Think about your dog’s activity level: A dog who works or competes is going to burn more calories than a dog whose only exercise is an occasional walk. If your dog is an athlete, he may benefit from a nutrient-dense dog food designed for athletic dogs. On the other hand, if your dog doesn’t get much exercise, you may want to consider a dog food for weight management to maintain his ideal body condition.
Pay attention to your dog’s specific nutritional needs: Does your dog have a food preference or a condition like sensitive skin? You may want to consider a food formulated for his specific nutritional needs. Targeted nutrition can help support your dog’s condition.
I really enjoyed my Q&A with Dr. Kurt Venator and learning even more about nutrition in dog food. And I lovelovelove that I have the ability to personalize my dogs’ food as they grow and get older. Cannot recommend Just Right by Purina enough!
To learn more about why I chose Just Right by Purina, read this blog post! And, with summer coming along, here’s a post with 15 things you can do with your dog this summer!
