Nutrition Is Part of Your Pet’s Medical Care
Food affects far more than your pet’s appetite. The right diet and the right amount can help support a healthy weight, preserve muscle, and play an important role in managing medical conditions. At Jog Lantana Animal Clinic, Dr. Miriam Delbene considers each pet’s age, body condition, health history, and individual needs before recommending a feeding plan.
Excess weight is not simply a cosmetic concern. It can make movement less comfortable, add stress to joints, and complicate the management of conditions such as diabetes. If your pet has gained weight, our goal is to understand why and create a realistic plan together, without judgment or drastic changes.
The Portion Matters as Much as the Food
Even an appropriate food can contribute to weight gain when the daily portion is larger than your pet needs. Measuring mistakes are common and easy to make. A standard measuring cup holds 8 fluid ounces by volume, but that does not mean it holds 8 ounces by weight. A drinking cup, a food scoop, and a rounded or overflowing measuring cup can each deliver a different amount of food.
If you use a measuring cup, use a standard 8-fluid-ounce measuring cup and fill it level, not heaping. For pets on a weight management plan, we especially recommend weighing dry food with a kitchen scale and measuring the daily amount in grams. This makes it easier to serve the same portion consistently, regardless of who feeds your pet.
The number of grams is different for each food and each patient. Please do not convert cups to grams using a general estimate. We can help you determine the appropriate daily amount for the specific formula your pet eats and divide it into meals.
Everything Your Pet Eats Counts
A feeding plan includes more than breakfast and dinner. Treats, table food, dental chews, supplements, and food used to give medications can add calories. If several people feed your pet, it helps to agree on one daily allowance so extra portions do not go unnoticed.
Tell us what your pet actually eats, including the brand and formula, the amount offered, treats, and any food left in the bowl. That information helps us make practical recommendations. We may also suggest periodic weigh-ins so we can adjust the plan based on your pet’s progress and comfort.
When Is a Therapeutic Diet Recommended?
Some pets benefit from a veterinary therapeutic diet as part of their treatment plan. Depending on the diagnosis, a specific formula may help support weight management, digestive health, urinary health, kidney health, food sensitivities, or another medical need. These diets are not interchangeable, and the best choice depends on the individual patient.
Dr. Delbene will explain why a diet is recommended, how much to feed, whether treats or other foods need to be limited, and when the plan should be reassessed. If your pet does not like a recommended food or the plan is difficult to follow, please tell us. We can discuss suitable alternatives.
Therapeutic Food Options
Royal Canin
We carry select Royal Canin veterinary diets at our clinic. Availability varies by formula, so please contact us if you need a specific food or would like to plan a refill.
Hill’s Prescription Diet
We can provide a veterinary diet recommendation or prescription when a Hill’s formula is appropriate for your pet. You may ask us about ordering through Hill’s to Home. Shipping terms and promotions are determined by the manufacturer and may change.
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets
If a Purina veterinary diet is appropriate, we can provide the required veterinary authorization. To create an account through Purina Pro Plan Vet Direct, use Jog Lantana Animal Clinic ID 6LLOA.
We sell select Royal Canin diets in the clinic, but our recommendations are not limited to the food we stock. We can prescribe an appropriate therapeutic diet from other manufacturers so you can obtain it through an available authorized source.
Let’s Build a Plan That Works
Whether your pet needs to lose weight, maintain a healthy weight, or follow a diet for a medical condition, we can help you move from general feeding directions to a clear daily plan. Bring the name of your pet’s current food, a photo of its label, and a list of treats to your next visit. We will review the full picture together.
Call us at (561) 964-3144 if you have questions about your pet’s food or would like to schedule a nutritional consultation.