Unleashing the Power of Nutrition

What Pet Professionals Can Notice Before Anyone Else

At the recent NAPPS Conference, I attended a session called “Unleashing the Power of Nutrition: Science-Backed Strategies for Healthier Dogs” presented by Jennifer Carter, MS, Cert-CN.

While the session focused primarily on canine nutrition, many of the observational lessons apply to all pets we care for… including cats.

As professional pet sitters, we often see pets more consistently than anyone outside their family. That means we are sometimes the first people to notice subtle changes that may indicate something isn’t quite right.

Nutrition plays a bigger role in those changes than many people realize.

What a Balanced Diet Looks Like

A balanced diet for dogs includes several essential components:

• Protein (amino acids)

• Fat (essential fatty acids)

• Carbohydrates

• Vitamins

• Minerals

• Water

Animal-based proteins such as meat, organs, and eggs provide a more complete amino acid profile and are typically easier for dogs to digest than plant-based proteins.

Fat also plays an important role. It serves as a primary energy source and supports joint health, brain function, and the nervous system.

Hydration was another major takeaway. Dry kibble is typically only 8–10% moisture, while fresh foods are often 65–75% moisture. That difference can significantly affect overall hydration.

While this presentation focused on dogs, hydration and protein quality are also incredibly important for cats, who naturally get much of their water intake from food.

The Unique Position of Pet Professionals

One point that really resonated with me is that pet professionals often see patterns before anyone else does.

Veterinarians see pets periodically during appointments.

Pet parents see their pets every day and may not notice gradual changes.

But pet sitters and dog walkers see pets over time in their normal routine, which can make small differences easier to spot.

Things like:

• Changes in coat condition

• Differences in shedding

• Shifts in energy level

• Changes in stool quality

• Nail strength

• Skin irritation or paw inflammation

These observations don’t diagnose a problem, but they can provide helpful information for pet parents and veterinarians.

The Coat, Paws, and Nails Tell a Story

Sometimes the outside of the pet offers clues about what may be happening inside.

Possible signs nutrition may not be working well can include:

• Dull or greasy coat

• Excessive shedding

• Chronic ear issues

• Inflamed paws

• Brittle or splitting nails

• Tartar buildup

For example:

A dull coat may indicate fatty acid imbalance.A greasy coat may point to inflammation.Heavy shedding may relate to protein quality.

Nail health can also offer clues. Soft, splitting, or peeling nails may be associated with possible deficiencies such as biotin or zinc.

These observations apply to dogs, but cats can show many of the same external indicators when something in their nutrition or health needs attention.

Understanding Pet Food Nutrition Labels

Another part of the presentation discussed common pet food marketing practices.

One example is ingredient splitting, where a company divides one ingredient into multiple components. This can make it appear lower on the ingredient list even though, collectively, it may make up a large portion of the formula.

Another is the “salt divide.” Ingredients listed after salt are usually present in extremely small amounts, often less than one percent of the formula.

This means some ingredients highlighted on the label may be there more for marketing appeal than nutritional impact.

The type of meat listed also matters. A named meat source such as “chicken meal” can be very different from vague terms like “meat meal” or “animal meal.”

How Pet Professionals Should Approach Conversations

One of the most important reminders from this session was about communication with pet parents.

Our role is not to diagnose or prescribe diets. That belongs to veterinarians and qualified nutrition professionals.

Instead, our role is to:

• Observe

• Share what we notice

• Encourage veterinary conversations

Approaching the conversation with curiosity can make a big difference.

Instead of saying:

“You should change their food.”

A better approach might be:

“I’ve noticed something I’d love to share with you.”

That kind of conversation opens the door without judgment.

Small Changes Can Lead to Big Improvements

Nutrition does not always require a dramatic overhaul to make a difference.

Sometimes improvements begin with simple adjustments such as:

• Increasing moisture in meals

• Supporting with Omega-3 fatty acids

• Improving protein sources

  
  

Over time, these changes can lead to noticeable improvements in coat condition, energy, digestion, and overall wellness.

Why This Matters

Sessions like this remind me that pet care is about more than visits, walks, and feeding schedules.

It’s about paying attention.

A flaky coat.

Inflamed paws.

A sudden change in shedding.

Those subtle signs may be worth mentioning to a pet parent who might not have noticed the gradual shift.

Whether it’s dogs or cats, thoughtful observation helps us advocate for the animals in our care and support the families who love them.

And sometimes, the smallest observation can be the beginning of a conversation that helps a pet feel better.