PET PARENT RESOURCE CENTER

Choosing the best nutrition for your pet can be challenging. Walking down the food aisle at a pet supplies store like Treats Unleashed reveals a wide array of brands, formulas, and marketing claims. Here's where pet food consultants enter the picture, offering guidance to decipher the complexities of pet nutrition. 

But are they worth considering, and how can they assist you in selecting the optimal diet for your beloved companion? This blog provides answers to all of your queries.

The Role of a Pet Food Consultant

Pet diet consultants come in various forms, and can address a myraid of concerns from weight loss/gain to dehydration and more. Their core responsibility revolves around providing pet owners with information and advice on pet nutrition. Here's an overview of their prospective services:

• Understanding Pet Nutritional Needs: Consultants can explain the basic principles of pet nutrition, tailored to your pet's species (dog, cat, etc.), age, breed, and activity level.  This knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions when choosing a food.
• Decoding Food Labels: Food labels can be confusing and contain technical jargon and marketing claims. Consultants can help you understand the ingredients list, guaranteed analysis, and nutritional adequacy statements, ensuring the chosen food meets your pet's needs.
• Addressing Specific Concerns: If you have a pet with allergies, weight management challenges, or digestive sensitivities, consultants can help you navigate specialized diets and recommend options that address your pet's unique health concerns.
• Navigating Brand Choices: With countless food brands available, consultants can offer insights into different brands' reputations and the quality of their ingredients.

At Treats Unleashed, our experienced team members offer a Personal Feeding Plan consultation. This free service allows pet parents to complete a quick and easy online form, telling us a little about your dog or cat, and one of our trained pet food experts will provide you with a personal feeding plan for your pet, with recommendations based on your individual pet’s needs. 

Not sure about a full plan? No problem - just walk into any of our 20 Treats Unleashed pet store locations near you and ask a team member for their opinions. Whether you're looking for kibble, air-dried (from brands like A Pup Above), frozen/raw (with raw options from Primal or frozen meals from new store additions like Bonnihill Farms) or hydrator like goat's milk or bone broth (both found in the Treats Unleashed frozen section), our team can help you make an informed decision, and help you feel condifent about what does into your pet's belly.

Important Note: It is crucial to understand that some food consultants might be affiliated with specific brands. While they can still offer valuable information, be mindful of potential bias when considering their recommendations.

The Benefits of Consulting an Expert

Here's how food consultantation can benefit you and your pet:

• Improved Pet Health: Choosing the right food can significantly impact your pet's health and well-being. A consultant's guidance can steer you towards a diet that provides the essential nutrients your pet needs to thrive.
• Reduced Confusion: Navigating the animal feed aisle can be confusing. A consultant can simplify the process by explaining complex concepts and helping you make informed choices based on your pet's needs.
• Peace of Mind: Knowing you've chosen the best diet for your pet can provide significant peace of mind. Consultants can answer your questions and address concerns about your pet's nutrition.

Remember: While consultants can offer valuable advice, they are not replacements for veterinary care. Always consult your veterinarian for personalized recommendations based on your pet's specific health history and any existing medical conditions.

How to Find the Right Help?

If you're considering consulting a pet consultant, here are some tips:

• Qualifications: Look for consultants with certifications in animal nutrition or related fields. Certification programs are offered by credible organizations such as the American College of Veterinary Nutritionists (ACVN).
• Affiliation: Ask about their experience with various brands and approaches to recommending food options. All Treats Unleashed, employees undergo brand training to understand the key differences between the many the pet food formulas we sell. One of our team members might inquire if you
• Services Offered: Choose a consultant who aligns with your needs. Do you need general guidance, or help addressing a more specific health concern?  Ensure the consultant's expertise matches your requirements. Remember to always take the opinion of your vet into consideration, especially when addressing larger medical issues.
• Testimonials and Reviews: Read online reviews or ask your veterinarian for recommendations to find a consultant with a good reputation.

Need a helping paw? Remember, vets and pet food experts can guide you if your pet has allergies, health problems, or needs a balanced diet. They'll help you choose the right food to keep your pet wagging (or purring!) with joy.

We’re not veterinarians. Treats Unleashed staff are well educated, and our writing is well-researched, but neither the advice of a Treats Unleashed staff member nor reading Treats Unleashed's written materials can substitute for visiting a veterinarian. We offer carefully chosen, natural solutions, but we believe that veterinary conditions should be diagnosed and treated by professionals.