This is the second in a series of interviews on Q & A on pet nutrition. Questions about dog and cat foods were submitted by viewers. In this interview, Pet Nutritionist Dr. Marcie Campion, PhD answers questions about diet and medical conditions in pets.

Dr. Campion is a member of the American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition and and is currently the Scientific Relations Manager for Pet Care Professional at Iams Company/P&G Pet Care.

We will cover questions about general nutrition, medical conditions and diet, and diet supplementation in this series of interviews.

Medical Conditions and Nutrition

Diet and Weight Loss

From Cathy: Cathy - So many diets are corn-based. What is the best way to help a dog lose weight?

Dr. Campion: At the end of the day, it’s the total amount of calories that a dog eats compared to the amount of calories that he expends. Therefore, it’s important to portion control your dog’s food to control calories and make sure you account for treats as well. Treats shouldn’t make up more than 10% of their daily caloric intake.

In order to help your dog lose weight, I recommend reduced fat and calorie diets that contain wholesome grains like barley and sorghum to help maintain a healthy glycemic response, animal-based proteins for strong, lean muscles, antioxidants from fruits and vegetables for a strong immune system and prebiotics for healthy digestion.

You should also increase your pet’s activity level, take long walks, etc. Working with your veterinarian to develop a good plan is also important, so your dog loses weight at the right pace. In general, we recommend that a dog lose between 1 and 2% of their body weight per week.

Food Allergies

From Tracy: Any suggestions for a feline who has exhausted all hypoallergenic prescription foods? A proper recipe would greatly be appreciated along with thoughts towards raw feeding versus commercial and/or prescription diets.

Dr. Campion: If you suspect your feline has food allergies, please work closely with your veterinarian to determine what your pet is allergic to, so they can help point you in the right direction. If you and your veterinarian haven’t gotten the results you want, ask them to refer you to a board-certified veterinary dermatologist to help you with a plan moving forward.

Raw diets can sound like an attractive alternative, but may cause additional problems. Unless a trained nutritionist has designed the diet, they may not be complete and balanced and over the long-term can lead to nutritional deficiencies. You also want to be careful of salmonella and other bacterial contamination when preparing a raw diet for your pet. These types of diets may also pose a risk for your family if they are prepared and consumed by your pet in the kitchen or other areas that children have access to. Always wash your hands and preparation area with soap and water afterwards.

Constipation

From Heidi: What is better for a constipated cat - low residue or high fiber food?

Dr. Campion: Reoccuring constipation is often indication of an underlying health concern. Your veterinarian can help determine a possible cause, as well as an effective approach to resolving the concern. Low residue or high fiber foods may be helpful depending on the underlying cause; however, high fiber foods can have other undesirable effects such as increased volumes of stool and reduced nutrient absorption.

Dietary inclusion of specialized fibers, such as beet pulp and fructooligosaccaharides (FOS) help resolve constipation, while supporting generalized intestinal health.

From Kathy: How much fiber and how much fat should be in cat food to prevent constipation and to keep weight at a manageable level?

Dr. Campion: There isn’t a set amount of fiber or fat that should be placed in a diet to prevent constipation or control weight. The best preventative action an owner can take is to feed a premium diet that supports intestinal health with fibers, such as beet pulp and fructooligosaccaharides (FOS) and carefully watch their cat’s body condition, making sure to match the caloric intake with the pet’s caloric expenditure.

Thank you, Dr. Campion, for this interview.

More:Nutrition Interviews With Dr. Campion