2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines

Kibble Know-How: Improving Pet Health with the AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines

Nutritional management is a central component of a complete healthcare plan for canine and feline patients and is integral to a pet’s longevity and quality of life. The positive impact of proper nutrition on health and morbidities such as chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, and osteoarthritis is well accepted. A nutritional assessment of canine and feline patients should be performed regularly throughout all pet life stages, ideally at each exam visit.

The guidelines cover these key points:

• Describe how to perform an individualized, breed-specific, evidence-guided nutritional assessment for canine and feline patients.
• Provide recommendations for diagnosis, treatment, and management of under- or overweight pets.
• Provide a comprehensive list of nutrients of concern for specific health conditions.
• Offer suggestions on how to effectively communicate and educate owners about nutritional recommendations, including for weight control.
• Provide strategies to increase adherence to pet nutrition recommendations.
• Address several nutrition-related topics of current interest, including raw and home-prepared diets, breed-specific nutrition, and diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs.

The 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines serve as a comprehensive resource for veterinary professionals seeking to optimize pet health through personalized nutrition and weight management strategies. By adhering to these guidelines and fostering effective communication with pet owners, veterinarians can play a crucial role in promoting the wellbeing and longevity of their patients.

These guidelines are supported by generous educational grants from
Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., Purina® Pro Plan® Veterinary Diets, and Royal Canin®.