The dietary needs of pets vary from species to species, and according to the age, genetics, activity level and medical condition of each individual. Generally, there is no simple response to the question of what diet represents optimal nutrition for an individual pet. We recommend you consult with your veterinary hospital staff. They know your pet, they are knowledgeable about nutrition and will recommend the best diet or diets to allow your pet to reach its optimal health status.
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My veterinarian has recommended a Medi-Cal® diet but how much should I feed?
Consult your veterinarian at your first opportunity to ensure you are providing appropriate nutrition for your pet. However, if you need help immediately, please consult the Feeding Guides (canine | feline) on this website. Please note that dry measurements are given in typical measuring cup units. Amounts should be measured accurately to prevent over or under feeding your pet. Different diets have different caloric densities, so be careful to use the corresponding feeding guide for the appropriate diet. Due to the high quality and digestibility of Medi-Cal® diets, be prepared to weigh your pet and adjust portions accordingly to maintain optimum body condition. Our feeding guides provide a range within which you can choose to feed your pets based on their age, breed, health status and activity level. Pets often do best on the lower end, but weigh and monitor your pet's body condition regularly. Consult veterinary staff if you have any questions or concerns.
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What makes Medi-Cal® diets so special?
Medi-Cal® diets are made from ingredients of unsurpassed quality. Carefully monitored formulations ensure your pet?s individual nutritional needs are satisfied. Our diets and the ingredients from which they are made are exhaustively tested and monitored to ensure they comply with stringent specifications for quality and effectiveness. The scientists who develop our "state-of-the-art" diets constantly monitor international developments in nutrition research, and are testing and researching dietary ingredients on an ongoing basis. Medi-Cal® diets have been at the forefront of innovation in Therapeutic and Lifestage veterinary exclusive pet foods with the introduction of such ingredients as natural preservatives, the use of optimum levels of omega 3&6 fatty acids, and unique antioxidants such as alpha-lipoic acid. Innovative ingredients such as fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), L-carnitine, L-glutamine, digestive enzymes and purified DHA all made their debut in the marketplace in Medi-Cal® diets. Through committed research and extensive product testing, Medi-Cal® diets will continue to provide dogs and cats with unique diets that contribute to their health and well-being.
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How does Medi-Cal® test their diets?
Early in the development of Medi-Cal® diets our scientists decided that the testing of the diets would be done almost exclusively at independent facilities to ensure that we have an independent, unbiased third party evaluation of our products.
Using rigorous protocols for analysis that were developed specifically for Medi-Cal® diets, we were able to test individual ingredients such as soluble and insoluble fibre and vitamin and mineral levels.
We routinely conduct digestibility, palatability and urine pH trials on all our diets to ensure our diets will support optimum pet health. All Medi-Cal® diets are tested and have passed American Association Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) feeding trials.
You can feed Medi-Cal® with confidence!
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How do I introduce a Medi-Cal diet to my pet?
To avoid stomach upset, mix a quarter of Medi-Cal® with three quarters of your pet?s regular meal on the first day. Increase the amount of the new food by a quarter each day until the entire meal is new food on the fourth day. Medi-Cal® diets are extremely tasty, so be sure not to feed too much, too quickly.
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It may be more convenient for me to buy my pet food from the grocery store. Why would I purchase food from my veterinarian?
The role of your veterinarian is changing. Services provided by veterinary clinics have expanded past providing help when your pet has a life-threatening disease. Now, as in human medicine, the emphasis is on preventing disease and improving the quality and length of your pet?s life. Your veterinarian will select diets which are extensively researched and monitored, are of exceptional quality and which contain unique ingredients. This will help ensure our pet will enjoy optimal quality of life for the life stage and/or medical condition he or she is in.
Veterinary clinics know your time is precious. Avoid big store line ups and parking lot hassles by calling your vet in advance so they can have your food ready. Most clinics will offer a carry out service. And don?t forget, food pick up day is a great opportunity for you to bring your pet in to the clinic just to say hi, or just to ask questions of their dedicated staff professionals.
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