{"id":128205,"date":"2025-11-21T19:52:40","date_gmt":"2025-11-21T19:52:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/?p=128205"},"modified":"2025-11-21T19:52:40","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T19:52:40","slug":"discussing-life-stage-nutrition-for-dogs-and-cats-with-clients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/nutrition\/discussing-life-stage-nutrition-for-dogs-and-cats-with-clients\/","title":{"rendered":"Discussing Life-Stage Nutrition for Dogs and Cats With Clients"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:20px\"><\/div><div class=\"su-note\"  style=\"border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f2f2f2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><b>Abstract<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Nutrition plays a vital role in veterinary patients\u2019 longevity and disease prevention\/management. Knowing a patient\u2019s stage of life (growth, young to middle-aged, or senior) and the nutrients of concern for each stage helps veterinary nurses effectively communicate those needs to the client.<\/p>\n<p><b>Take-Home Points <\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\">Nutrition plays a vital role in longevity, regardless of the pet\u2019s age or health status.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">During the growth phase, young pets should be fed diets that provide high energy, high-quality protein, phosphorus\/calcium at appropriate ratios, docosahexaenoic acid, and microbiome\/immune support.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">During the maintenance phase, young to middle-aged pets should be fed diets that provide the appropriate energy density (calories), high-quality protein, microbiome support, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, and other optimizing nutrients.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">During the senior phase, older pets should be fed diets that provide high-quality protein and appropriate calories and mineral ratios and that reduce inflammation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">W<\/span><span class=\"s2\">hen it comes to the longevity of animal patients, nutrition plays such a critical role that the profession now recognizes it as the fifth vital assessment. Thus, at every veterinary visit, patients should undergo not only temperature, pulse, respiration, and pain assessments but also a nutrition assessment.<sup>1<\/sup> Nutrition tailored to life stage ensures that the food going into the bowl is appropriate for each patient\u2019s current physiologic needs and contains nutrients at an optimal level for that patient\u2019s life stage.<sup>2<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s2\">Life-stage nutrition is not a one-size-fits-all science, but age is the main determinant. For example, the nutritional needs of a 6-week-old Maine Coon kitten differ greatly from those of a 6-year-old Maine Coon adult. Veterinary nurses should understand that nutrient needs (nutrients of concern) vary between life stages and what those nutrients do so that they can communicate those needs to clients and recommend appropriate feeding practices.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s2\">Maintaining the patient at a healthy weight, regardless of life stage, is a major piece of the nutrition plan. Excess body weight leads to other serious medical issues and can shorten a pet\u2019s lifespan.<sup>3<\/sup> Patients\u2019 body condition score (BCS) should be assessed at each visit, and clients should be taught how to evaluate BCS themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\">3 Main Life Stages of Dogs and Cats<\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s2\">The 3 main life stages of dogs and cats are growth (from weaning to maturation, which can be 12 to 18\u00a0months, depending on the breed or estimated target weight), young adult to middle-aged (approximately 1\u00a0to 1.5 through 7 years of age), and senior (approximately 7 years of age to the end of life).<sup>4-6<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p3\">Growth<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s2\">Growth is a critical stage of life, when proper nutrition is imperative. Puppies and kittens require twice the energy of adult dogs and cats, in the form of calories or kilocalories.<sup>4<\/sup> Calculating energy requirements is key, even during the growth stage. Feeding too much or too little can lead to detrimental health effects. Different breeds of puppies and kittens mature at different rates; therefore, these differences should be identified early on.<sup>4<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s2\">A well-balanced, high-quality puppy\/kitten food should be complete and should not require additional supplementation. It should contain the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>Energy:<\/b> A diet formulated for growth should provide energy at higher density than that of an adult diet.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>Protein:<\/b> High-quality, highly digestible protein is essential for tissue growth.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>Balanced ratios:<\/b> The protein-to-energy ratio should be tailored to the size and breed of the patient, especially for large\/giant-breed puppies.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>Taurine:<\/b> This amino acid must be provided in feline diets because cats, as obligate carnivores, cannot synthesize enough on their own.<sup>7<\/sup><\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>Vitamins and minerals:<\/b> Vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A (in the form of <\/span><span class=\"s3\">\u03b2<\/span><span class=\"s2\">-carotene), selenium, and zinc can support the developing immune system and help reduce the number of free radicals.<sup>4<\/sup> Phosphorus and calcium are essential minerals for skeletal development; the ratio between them is critical, and excesses or deficiencies of either can be detrimental.<sup>4<\/sup><\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>Essential fatty acids:<\/b> Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is needed for growth, and it plays a vital role in retinal and neurologic development. DHA is derived from <\/span><span class=\"s3\">\u03b1<\/span><span class=\"s2\">-linolenic acid; however, the conversion is not an efficient process for dogs and cats. Therefore, DHA should be added into formulas for growing cats and dogs.<sup>4<\/sup><\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p6\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>Prebiotics<\/b>: Specific fibers should be considered to help support a healthy microbiome, which can lead to lifelong positive health effects.<sup>8<\/sup><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong><span class=\"s4\">TABLE 1<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"s2\"> lists the main nutrients of concern for growing puppies and kittens.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Lechner_TVNWinter26_LifestageNutrition_Table1.png\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-128216\" src=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Lechner_TVNWinter26_LifestageNutrition_Table1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1039\" height=\"490\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Lechner_TVNWinter26_LifestageNutrition_Table1.png 1039w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Lechner_TVNWinter26_LifestageNutrition_Table1-300x141.png 300w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Lechner_TVNWinter26_LifestageNutrition_Table1-1024x483.png 1024w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Lechner_TVNWinter26_LifestageNutrition_Table1-768x362.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1039px) 100vw, 1039px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p3\">Young Adult to Middle Age<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s2\">For healthy dogs and cats in the young adult to middle-age group, the diet should focus on nutrients that will prevent disease and maximize longevity.<sup>2<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s2\">Because obesity can lead to endocrine diseases (e.g., diabetes) and inflammatory conditions (e.g., osteoarthritis), preventing obesity becomes relevant at this stage. Clients should focus on maintaining their pet at an ideal BCS, as obesity is easier to prevent than treat.<sup>9<\/sup> If the pet is above ideal body weight, a weight-loss diet and plan should be implemented. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s2\">For patients already at an ideal BCS, there are other diets that can help optimize the nutrition plan (e.g., dental diets, breed-specific diets, joint diets). Within reason, the diets can be tailored to the patient\u2019s current needs (e.g., breed [size] considerations, possible future health concerns). Taking a proactive nutrition approach by ensuring that the patient is being fed the appropriate nutrients of concern will benefit the patient throughout life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s2\">For cats specifically, urinary health should be considered. Cats can be susceptible to feline lower urinary tract disease and thus need access to fresh water; moist foods can help lower the concentration of the urine. Over-the-counter diets are available that help create a balanced urinary pH and have adjusted mineral content to prevent stone\/crystal formation.<sup>10<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong><span class=\"s4\">TABLE 2<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"s2\"> lists the main nutrients of concern for young and middle-aged adult dogs and cats.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Lechner_TVNWinter26_LifestageNutrition_Table2.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-128217\" src=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Lechner_TVNWinter26_LifestageNutrition_Table2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1040\" height=\"463\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Lechner_TVNWinter26_LifestageNutrition_Table2.png 1040w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Lechner_TVNWinter26_LifestageNutrition_Table2-300x134.png 300w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Lechner_TVNWinter26_LifestageNutrition_Table2-1024x456.png 1024w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Lechner_TVNWinter26_LifestageNutrition_Table2-768x342.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1040px) 100vw, 1040px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p3\">Senior<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s2\">For healthy senior pets, the best nutritional approach is proactive. As pets age, many body systems begin to change as well. Aging affects the skin, gastrointestinal tract, renal system, and immune system, among others. Aging can lead to oxidative stress of the cells; therefore, the nutrients provided in the diet should support cell function and processes. Focuses should be on maintaining ideal body weight; maintaining muscle; providing immune, cognitive, and joint support; and minimizing\/eliminating pain. Comorbidities such as obesity and joint disease are common in senior patients; therefore, a full nutritional assessment should be completed, taking all disease processes into consideration. Most senior diets have adjusted levels of minerals (e.g., phosphorus) to preserve kidney function.<sup>11<\/sup> If the patient is not healthy, therapeutic diets are typically recommended.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong><span class=\"s4\">TABLE 3<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"s2\"> lists the main nutrients of concern for dogs and cats in the senior life stage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Lechner_TVNWinter26_LifestageNutrition_Table3.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-128218\" src=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Lechner_TVNWinter26_LifestageNutrition_Table3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1033\" height=\"440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Lechner_TVNWinter26_LifestageNutrition_Table3.png 1033w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Lechner_TVNWinter26_LifestageNutrition_Table3-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Lechner_TVNWinter26_LifestageNutrition_Table3-1024x436.png 1024w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Lechner_TVNWinter26_LifestageNutrition_Table3-768x327.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1033px) 100vw, 1033px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\">Client Talking Points<\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s2\">There are many possible physiologic states within each age group, but regardless of the pet\u2019s age, the following script can be used as a starting point for a nutrition discussion:<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p8\"><span class=\"s2\">\u201cThank you for bringing ________ in today. ________ is ____ years old and is in the ________ life stage. I\u2019m going to share what nutrients are most important for pets in this stage of life. We will then talk about the diet you\u2019re currently feeding, identify any gaps, and work together to ensure you\u2019re on the right path. How does that sound?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s2\">The following specifics can be provided, with elaboration and\/or pauses between sentences to allow the client to ask questions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p3\">Growth Stage<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s2\">Coco is a 4-month-old, intact female, 6.8-kg (15-lb) French bulldog. Begin the client conversation by explaining that proper nutrition is essential while Coco is growing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p9\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>Start with:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p8\"><span class=\"s2\">\u201cThe needs of growing puppies differ greatly from those of adult dogs. Here are some of the nutrients that should be included in Coco\u2019s diet to help her develop properly. They are already included in high-quality diets designed for growth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p9\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>Main points:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p8\"><span class=\"s2\">\u201cCoco needs adequate calories and high-quality protein for tissue growth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p8\"><span class=\"s2\">\u201cThe calcium and phosphorus ratio must be balanced to support bone development at the right pace.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p8\"><span class=\"s2\">\u201cPuppies require DHA, an essential fatty acid, to help their eyes and other organs develop properly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p8\"><span class=\"s2\">\u201cBecause puppies are born with immature immune systems, vitamins A and C will help support her immune system.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p8\"><span class=\"s2\">\u201cFiber helps support a healthy microbiome from the start and can help prevent problems such as diarrhea.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p9\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>End with:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p8\"><span class=\"s2\">\u201cLet\u2019s talk about the diet you are currently feeding <\/span>and see if there are any gaps. How does that sound?\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p3\">Young Adult to Middle-Aged Stage<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s2\">Miles is a 3-year-old, neutered male domestic shorthair cat and weighs 4.5 kg (10 lb). Begin the conversation by commenting on maintaining Miles\u2019 current weight.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>Start with:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p8\"><span class=\"s2\">\u201cMiles is currently at an ideal body weight\u2014great job! The following nutrition plan will help maintain it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p9\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>Main points:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p8\"><span class=\"s2\">\u201cHigh-quality protein and the right amount of calories will help maintain Miles\u2019 weight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p8\"><span class=\"s2\">\u201cAs Miles ages, specific nutrients will help support his gut, immune system, and joints.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p8\"><span class=\"s2\">\u201cFiber and essential fatty acids will help support his gut. Fiber can be provided in the form of beet pulp, and it can help prevent hair balls.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p8\"><span class=\"s2\">\u201cVitamins, such as vitamin C, will help support his immune system as he ages.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p8\"><span class=\"s2\">\u201cEPA and DHA are essential fatty acids that will help reduce inflammation and support his joints as they age.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p8\"><span class=\"s2\">\u201cI see that his teeth have a little bit of tartar forming. We can slow that process with proper nutrition aimed at supporting dental health.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p9\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>End with:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p8\"><span class=\"s2\">\u201cLet\u2019s talk about the diet you\u2019re currently feeding and see if there are any nutrient gaps. How does that sound?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p3\">Senior Stage<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s2\">Ruben is a healthy, 11-year-old neutered male boxer mix and weighs 17 kg (38 lb). Begin the conversation by commenting on Ruben\u2019s life stage and his changing nutritional needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p9\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>Start with:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p8\"><span class=\"s2\">\u201cRuben is considered a senior, so it\u2019s important we discuss how to support him nutritionally.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p9\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>Main points:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p8\"><span class=\"s2\">\u201cSince Ruben is already at a healthy weight, we need to keep the calories in his food consistent to prevent weight gain.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p8\"><span class=\"s2\">\u201cRuben needs high-quality protein to maintain his muscles and fiber to be sure his gut stays healthy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p8\"><span class=\"s2\"> \u201cOmega-3 fatty acids and joint supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin will help support his joints.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p8\"><span class=\"s2\">\u201cWe also want to support his immune system and brain health with vitamins such as vitamins E and C and l-carnitine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p8\"><span class=\"s2\">\u201cAs he ages, his kidney function might become compromised. We will want to evaluate his kidney function through routine blood work and might <\/span>need to make dietary changes based on those results.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p9\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>End with:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p8\"><span class=\"s2\">\u201cLet\u2019s talk about what you are currently feeding him and see if there are any nutrient gaps. How does that sound?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\">Summary<\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s2\">No matter the age of each patient, nutrition is a major piece of patient care. Different nutrients are required during each life stage. Optimal nutrition ensures that there are no nutrient gaps so that all body systems can function properly. The veterinary nurse plays a vital role in nutrition management and by understanding the nutrients of concern at each stage can help effectively communicate those needs to clients.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-box su-box-style-default\" id=\"\" style=\"border-color:#606060;border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-box-title\" style=\"background-color:#939393;color:#FFFFFF;border-top-left-radius:1px;border-top-right-radius:1px\">Into Practice<\/div><div class=\"su-box-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"border-bottom-left-radius:1px;border-bottom-right-radius:1px\">\n<ul>\n<li>Identify the patient\u2019s life stage and which nutrients are of concern for that life stage.<\/li>\n<li>Communicate to the client how those nutrients help the individual patient, and identify any nutrient gaps.<\/li>\n<li>If nutrient gaps are identified, work with the veterinarian to identify an appropriate diet and create a nutrition plan.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Veterinary nurses should understand that nutrient needs vary between life stages and what those nutrients do so that they can communicate those needs to clients and recommend appropriate feeding practices.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":817,"featured_media":128207,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[816],"tags":[145],"class_list":["post-128205","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-winter-2026","tag-peer-reviewed","column-nutrition_notes","clinical_topics-nutrition"],"acf":{"hide_sidebar":false,"hide_sidebar_ad":false,"hide_all_ads":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.7 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ 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