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Nutritional Counselling

Nutritional Counselling

Cats, Dogs, Nutritional Services, Services

Nutritional Counselling

Optimize Your Pet’s Health with Nutritional Counseling at Animal Qi: Expert Guidance for a Happier, Healthier Furry Companion!

Discover the benefits of personalized nutritional counseling for your pet, tailored to their unique needs and circumstances by our experienced veterinary professionals.

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Frequently Asked Questions

At Animal Qi, we believe that a well-balanced, nutritious diet is essential for your pet’s overall health and well-being. Our team of dedicated veterinary professionals is committed to providing expert nutritional counseling services, helping you make informed decisions about your pet’s dietary needs and ensuring they receive the right nutrients for a happier, healthier life.

selective focus photography of dog lying on ground
selective focus photography of dog lying on ground
selective focus photography of dog lying on ground

What is Nutritional Counseling?

Nutritional counseling at Animal Qi involves a comprehensive assessment of your pet’s overall health, lifestyle, and dietary requirements. Our experienced veterinary professionals will work with you to develop a personalized nutrition plan tailored to your pet’s unique needs and circumstances, considering factors such as their age, breed, weight, activity level, and any existing health conditions.

Why Pets Might Need Nutritional Counseling?

Pets may require nutritional counseling for various reasons, including:

Life stage requirements: Puppies, kittens, adult pets, and senior animals all have different nutritional needs. Nutritional counseling can help ensure that your pet receives the appropriate diet for their life stage.

Weight management: Overweight and obese pets face numerous health risks, while underweight pets may lack essential nutrients. Nutritional counseling can help you develop a balanced diet and feeding plan to help your pet achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Food allergies and sensitivities: Pets with food allergies or sensitivities may require specialized diets to avoid triggering adverse reactions. Nutritional counseling can help identify potential allergens and recommend suitable alternatives.

Medical conditions: Pets with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, or liver issues, may require specialized diets to help manage their health. Nutritional counseling can provide tailored recommendations based on your pet’s specific needs.

Performance and working animals: Pets with high energy demands or specific performance requirements may need specialized diets to ensure optimal health and performance. Nutritional counseling can help develop an appropriate diet for these pets.

Why Choose Animal Qi’s Nutritional Counseling Services?

At Animal Qi, we’re passionate about providing exceptional care for your pets. Here’s what sets us apart:

Expertise

Our team of veterinary professionals is highly knowledgeable about pet nutrition, ensuring your pet receives accurate and up-to-date dietary advice.

Personalised Care

We understand that every pet is unique, and our team works closely with you to develop a customized nutrition plan tailored to your pet’s individual needs and circumstances.

Comprehensive Services

In addition to nutritional counseling, we offer a full range of veterinary services to provide your pet with the best possible care throughout their life.

Comprehensive Support

Our dedicated team at Animal Qi is here to support you and your pet through the nutritional counseling process, providing guidance and reassurance at every step of the way.

Ready to optimize your pet's health through expert nutritional counseling?

Book an appointment with Animal Qi today and let our compassionate team help you make the best dietary choices for your furry companion.

Your pet’s health and happiness are our top priorities at Animal Qi. Our expert nutritional counseling services are designed to help you make informed decisions about your pet’s dietary needs, ensuring they receive the right nutrients for a happier, healthier life. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and give your pet the care and attention they deserve.

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FAQ’s

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I reassess my pet's nutritional needs?
Your pet’s nutritional needs may change over time due to factors such as age, weight, activity level, and health conditions. We recommend scheduling regular check-ups with our team at Animal Qi to ensure your pet’s nutritional plan remains appropriate and up-to-date.
Can I consult with Animal Qi about my pet's current diet without changing it completely?
Absolutely! Our team at Animal Qi is here to provide guidance and support, whether you’re looking for minor adjustments to your pet’s current diet or considering a complete overhaul. We’ll work with you to develop a plan that best suits your pet’s needs and preferences.
How do I know if my pet's current diet is meeting their nutritional needs?
During your nutritional counseling session at Animal Qi, our veterinary professionals will assess your pet’s overall health, lifestyle, and current diet to determine if it meets their nutritional requirements. We will then provide personalized recommendations to ensure your pet receives the necessary nutrients for optimal health.
What if my pet is a picky eater or has specific dietary preferences?
Our team at Animal Qi understands that some pets can be picky eaters or have unique dietary preferences. We will work with you to develop a nutrition plan that not only meets your pet’s nutritional needs but also takes their taste preferences into account.
Can nutritional counseling help improve my pet's coat condition and overall appearance?
A well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet can significantly impact your pet’s coat condition and overall appearance. Nutritional counseling can help identify any deficiencies or imbalances in your pet’s diet that may be affecting their coat and recommend adjustments to promote a healthy, shiny coat.
Is nutritional counseling only for pets with health issues or special needs?
Nutritional counseling can benefit pets of all ages, breeds, and sizes, regardless of whether they have existing health issues or special needs. A balanced, nutrient-rich diet is essential for maintaining your pet’s overall health and well-being, and nutritional counseling can help ensure they receive the best possible nutrition.
How can I transition my pet to a new diet recommended by Animal Qi?
When transitioning your pet to a new diet, it’s essential to do so gradually to minimize the risk of digestive upset. Our team at Animal Qi will provide guidance on the best way to introduce the new diet and monitor your pet’s progress during the transition.

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Winnie

About Food Therapy

About Food Therapy

Cats, Dogs, Nutritional Services

Information

What is Food Therapy?

Food has been used as medicine in China in both humans and animals for thousands of years. Food as medicine was initially recorded in Zhou-Li written during the Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC to 256 BC). Food therapy is the art and science of using selected food ingredients and/or superior herbs to feed each individual based upon their inborn tendencies, age, species, geographical location, personality, and current disharmony or disease process. The goal is to treat or prevent illness and maintain health by using the foods according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCVM) fundamental principles. The main fundamental principles of TCVM food therapy are Xing/Thermal Energetics, Wei/Tastes, Brain Zheng/Pattern Differentiation and cook pot analogy.

Xing or Thermal Energetics of foods

An Ancient Oriental Healing Art.

Pathogenically, Xing refers to the nature or basis of a disease, which consists of two major categories: Hot and Cold conditions.

Hot conditions include: Heat, Heat toxin, Damp-heat, Summer Heat, Yang excess pattern or False heat due to Yin deficiency. These hot conditions are often called Yang disease.

Cold conditions refer to Cold, Damp, Yin excess pattern or False cold due to Yang deficiency. These cold conditions are also called Yin disease.

Therapeutically, Xing is the thermal nature or energetics of each herb or food. Huang di nei jing defines the most important TCVM treatment principle: hot conditions are treated with cold, while cold conditions are treated with heat. The Xing of foods simply refers to the primary post-indigestion effect of food on an individual’s body.

The various methods of food preparation can alter the energetics of foods. The initial Xing or thermal property of a food changes from most cool to most warm in the following order:

  • Raw, chilled-most cool.
  • Steamed or poached-cooling.
  • Boiled-neutral.
  • Stir-fried-mildly warming.
  • Casserole/baked-most heating.

Foods have both Xing and Wei. Xing is the Qi (energy) of foods. The Qi is the light, aromaic part of the food derived from its property, nature and aroma. The Wei, meaning taste, is the substantial, nourishing aspect. Food that is not fresh rapidly loses its Qi.

Wei / 5 Flavours of foods

An Ancient Oriental Healing Art.

Sour (Wood) – has astringent or holding/gathering quality.
Bitter (Fire) – has draining and counteracting dampness quality.
Sweet (Earth) – has tonifying and moistening quality.
Pungent (Metal) – has dispersing quality that promotes Qi and blood flow.
Salty (Water) – has softening and detoxifying quality.
Bland (Water) – drains dampness from the body.

Xing or Thermal Energetics of foods

Horses and companion animals have relative different TCVM patterns, even when in good health, depending upon their various life stages, including pregnancy, parturition and nursing.

Example: Nursing mothers and growing puppies consume Qi; thus, Qi-building foods should be used daily. Nursing consumes massive amounts of blood to form its modified ultrafiltrate called milk, therfore, blood tonifying foods should be fed every day to nursing mothers.

Foods by Category

Principles and Elements (Phases)