Pet Nutrition Advice for Dogs & Cats on the North Shore
Your pet’s nutrition plays a vital role in their overall health, longevity, and well-being.
At The Village Vet, we provide personalised nutrition advice for dogs and cats across Pymble, Killara and Sydney’s North Shore, helping you choose the right diet for your pet’s age, breed, and health needs.
With so many conflicting opinions on pet diets, we take the guesswork out of feeding, ensuring your pet receives a balanced, high-quality diet for optimal health.
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What should I feed my dog or cat?
The best diet for your pet depends on their age, breed, lifestyle, and any underlying health conditions.
Some pets thrive on high-quality commercial diets, while others may benefit from tailored feeding plans. The key is ensuring the diet is complete, balanced, and appropriate for your pet’s individual needs.
Our team will help you choose the best option based on your pet and your lifestyle.
Should I feed my pet dry food, wet food, or both?
Both dry and wet food can be suitable for dogs and cats when properly balanced.
Dry food can support dental health and convenience, while wet food provides additional hydration and can be more palatable for some pets. Many pets do well on a combination of both.
We’ll guide you on the right balance for your pet.
How often should I feed my pet?
Feeding frequency depends on your pet’s age and lifestyle.
Puppies and kittens require more frequent meals, while most adult pets are fed once or twice daily. Portion control is just as important as food choice to prevent overfeeding and weight gain.
- Puppies (up to 4-6 months): 3 meals a day however this is breed dependent
- Adult dogs: 1–2 meals per day
- Kittens (up to 12 weeks old): 3 meals a day
- Adult cats: Free feeding with dry biscuits or 2 set meals per day (to prevent overeating)
Why nutrition matters for your pet
Good nutrition supports every aspect of your pet’s health.
- Supports a strong immune system and overall well-being
- Helps maintain a healthy weight
- Reduces the risk of diet-related conditions
- Improves digestion and energy levels
- Promotes a healthy coat and skin
What to Expect from Our Nutritional Consultations
Step 1: Tailored Diet Plan
We assess your pet’s age, breed, activity level, and health status to create a personalised diet plan.
Step 2: Weight & Nutritional Consultations
We offer weight management plans to help pets achieve and maintain a healthy body condition.
📍 We also provide FREE nutritional consultations with our friendly nurses at our Killara practice!
Step 3: Vet-Approved Food Selection
Our Pet Food & Supplies Shop stocks only vet-recommended brands, including Hills Science Diet, Prime100 and Purina to ensure your pet gets the best quality nutrition.
Step 4: Guidance on Feeding Habits & Portions
We provide meal portion recommendations and advice on how often to feed your pet to avoid overfeeding or underfeeding.
A personalised approach to pet nutrition
At The Village Vet, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all diets.
Every pet is different, and their nutrition should reflect their individual needs. Whether your pet needs weight management, support for a medical condition, or guidance on everyday feeding, we’ll create a plan that works for you.
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The Village Vet
At The Village Vet Clinics, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality vet services. Throughout all stages of your pet’s life, our compassionate and experienced team ensures your pet receives the best possible care. With cutting-edge equipment and a full range of facilities under one roof, you can trust us to offer expert recommendations and treatments tailored to your pet’s unique needs, no matter what your financial circumstances are. We strive to help your beloved pets live life to the fullest.
Book your appointmentWhy Choose us as your Vet?
Truly personal, Non-corporate care
Independent, family-owned, and community-driven. No corporate agendas. Just honest, personalised care tailored to each family’s individual needs and budget.
State of the art facilities
Advanced diagnostic imaging, surgical technology, in-house labs, and everything you’d expect from a much larger hospital. All delivered with genuine warmth and personal attention.
Fear Free-Inspired Care & Certified Calm Clinic
Every visit is designed to minimise stress and anxiety. Purpose built clinic designs, gentle handling, calming techniques, and a team trained in low-stress care makes all the difference.
Award winning
Three time Local Business Award winners and recognised as one of Australia’s Top 3 veterinary practices in 2025 & 2026. Our reputation is built on trust, consistency, and authentic client relationships.
What Pet Owners Say
Mara Spessot
Love the feeling of joining an extended family who remembers your name, your pet’s name and cares. Such a friendly local practice and vibe.
Jacqui C
Our Monkey the cat wanted me to make sure you knew what great care, attention, follow-up, and kindness she experienced at West Pymble Vets. She was seen by Elle, who helped her feel so much better, while Elle’s lovely assistant gave Monkey a manicure and pedicure, which absolutely made her day! This is a wonderful local vet clinic with a kind and caring team. Highly recommend!
Joanne Homeopath
Our dog Fernie is the biggest sook on the planet and tends to attract disaster. Needless to say we are extremely familiar with the wonderful team at The Village Vet. Fernie has had all manner of complications from a severed paw, chronic colitis, a large benign tumour removal on his front leg and testicular cancer as well as a number of other minor complaints. Every time we visit I know that he is going to receive the best care. Martine, Elle and every member of the team take the time to assess his needs and work out the best treatment plan for him. We don’t know how we would have coped with Fernie without the love and support of The Village Vet in both Pymble and Killara. We cannot recommend them highly enough. 🙏
James French
Have been using Pymble Veterinary Clinic for many years, all my dogs have been looked after by the team here, and even though I have moved further away, I still take my dog here. The staff are great, have the utmost respect for them.
Would not go anywhere else.
Jae Yun Park
I’m so happy with the team at The Village Vet Pymble!
Everyone there is genuinely lovely — warm, reassuring, and clearly passionate about animals. They always take such great care of my pets and make us both feel welcome every time we visit.
The vets explain things in a really easy, helpful way, and the nurses and reception team are always kind, patient, and ready with a smile. It honestly feels like visiting friends who just happen to be amazing at looking after animals.
Couldn’t ask for a better vet clinic. Highly recommend them! 💛🐾
Lani
Thank you for fitting Louie in so quickly with a same-day appointment. We were so happy with Elle’s service and attention to detail—she was amazing!
Wendela
The staff are so friendly, kind and knowledgeable—it honestly feels like they love my dog as much as I do!
Sue Cook
We own an elderly sausage dog who has weekly visits to see the vets and vet nurses for fluids for his kidney failure and laser treatment for his back .
All the vets and nurses in both practices are outstanding with their care. knowledge and understanding and I have great trust in everyone to provide the right course of treatment for our little boy to make his life more comfortable
liz watson
Ladybird and I began attending the Village Vet at both its Killara and Pymble locations as we were unhappy at our previous Sydney based vet.
I was warmly greeted and extremely happy with the open and friendly service I received as well as the excellent care my anxious little Shih Tzu obtained for her many health needs.
As Ladybird and I had recently moved from the US it was important to me that we found not only excellent medical care for her , but a vet who would understand the nuances of a little dog who had traveled across half the world and had a history of being a stray with an unknown beginning , arriving in a country which felt so different to the one she had come from.
Dr Martine and her staff have always had time to listen and investigate the behavioural patterns that I described Ladybird exhibited , so that after 5 years as a little Aussie , Ladybird has blossomed into the happy little dog I adopted back in the US eight years ago.
John
It’s always a great experience at The Village Vet in Pymble. Every staff member is so warm and friendly. My puppy Angel gets nervous at first, but always leaves with her tail wagging.
Andrew Miller
We’re so grateful to The Village Pymble Vet for their care and compassion during our beloved dog Dyson’s final days. Dr Anabel Thomas was incredibly kind, empathetic, and professional — her clear communication and gentle support meant the world to us. Thank you, Dr Thomas, and the entire team. You are a true credit to your profession.
Amanda
We are extremely happy. Thank you for all your help. Martine Perkins and her team are excellent. I cannot recommend The Village Vet highly enough. Thank you for your wonderful, professional and compassionate service. You are simply the best.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Nutrition Advice for Dogs & Cats
Both can be suitable, but the diet must be complete and balanced. Many home-cooked diets lack essential nutrients unless carefully formulated. We can guide you on the safest and most effective option.
Higher-quality diets are typically more balanced and use better ingredients. While supermarket foods can be suitable in some cases, premium or vet-recommended diets often provide better long-term health outcomes.
- Puppies (up to 4-6 months): 3 meals a day however this is breed dependent
- Adult dogs: 1–2 meals per day
- Kittens (up to 12 weeks old): 3 meals a day
- Adult cats: Free feeding with dry biscuits or 2 set meals per day (to prevent overeating)
Cats are obligate carnivores and need a high-protein diet. A mix of premium dry and wet food is ideal. Cats that free-feed on dry biscuits should have portion control to prevent obesity and diabetes.
Pet-grade minces may contain sulphite preservatives, which can cause thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency. We recommend limiting mince to no more than once every second day.
Yes. Nutrition plays a major role in managing weight, allergies, digestive issues, and chronic conditions. We can tailor a diet to support your pet’s specific health needs.
Book Your Pet’s Pet Nutrition Advice for Dogs & Cats Appointment
📅 Book online here or call us to secure an appointment:
📍 Pymble Clinic: 9499 4010
📍 Killara Hospital: 8350 5678
