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Nutrition & Diet Counseling

Get expert guidance on your pet's nutrition, weight, and feeding to support lifelong wellness.

Nutrition & Diet Counseling: Fueling Your Pet’s Health the Right Way
Just like humans, nutrition plays a vital role in your pet’s health. The right food can boost energy, support healthy weight, improve skin and coat, strengthen the immune system, and even help manage chronic conditions. But with so many options out there—kibble, raw, grain-free, prescription diets—it’s not always easy to know what’s best.

That’s where veterinary-guided nutrition and diet counseling comes in.

Why Nutrition Matters at Every Life Stage

Your pet’s dietary needs evolve over time. A growing puppy or kitten requires different nutrients than a senior pet or one with food sensitivity. Breed, size, activity level, medical history, and even dental health can influence what kind of diet works best.

Through routine wellness exams and tailored counseling, we help pet parents make informed decisions that align with long-term health goals.

Common Reasons to Seek Nutrition Guidance

  • Weight gain or obesity

  • Food allergies or sensitivities

  • Digestive issues (vomiting, diarrhea, or gas)

  • Kidney disease, diabetes, or pancreatitis

  • Poor coat condition or skin problems

  • Age-based dietary transitions

  • Switching food brands or formats

If your pet has special medical needs, we may recommend a prescription diet to support their treatment plan.

What to Expect from a Nutrition Consultation

  • Thorough health review including lifestyle, age, and current diet

  • Body condition scoring (BCS) to assess ideal weight and energy needs

  • Customized feeding plan including brand, portion size, and schedule

  • Supplement recommendations when appropriate (e.g., joint, skin, digestive health)

  • Ongoing support for dietary changes, food transitions, or weight monitoring

We work with you to create a plan that’s realistic, balanced, and easy to maintain at home.

Should You Consider Prescription Pet Food?

Some pets benefit from therapeutic diets that are scientifically formulated to support specific health conditions. These are typically available only through your veterinarian and are often part of a broader treatment plan for conditions like:

  • Kidney disease

  • Urinary tract issues

  • Allergies

  • Diabetes

  • Gastrointestinal disorders

We’ll let you know if this is a good option for your pet—and if not, we’ll recommend the best alternatives from trusted, high-quality sources.


Nutrition is one of the most powerful tools you have to keep your pet thriving. Whether you’re starting fresh with a new puppy or adjusting for age or health concerns, we’re here to guide every bite along the way.

🐾 Looking to keep your pet healthy and happy? Visit us—we’re here to support every step of the way.

University Animal Hospital FAQs

There is no question too big or too small for our veterinary team.

Yes, University Animal Hospital has USDA Accredited veterinarians.

Each country varies so check out University Animal Hospital's International Travel page for more information on traveling with pets.

You or your previous vet can email them to us at info@universityanimalhospital.com or info@UAHNYC.com

University Animal Hospital follows all Federal and State laws and guidelines when prescribing medications. To remain compliant, your pet must be physically examined on a periodic basis. Typically this means your pet will need to be examined a minimum of once per year. However, for some medications, your pet may need to be reexamined more frequently and may require blood tests prior to refilling medications.

At every exam, our doctor performs a thorough physical exam. Bad breath, trouble eating, or discoloration of the teeth or gums may all be indicators that your pet may need a dental procedure. University Animal Hospital will show you and discuss the benefits of a dentistry if it is recommended.

Vomiting and Diarrhea can be caused by many different things. If your pet is experiencing vomiting and/or diarrhea, please give University Animal Hospital a call so we can schedule an appointment with one of our doctors.