Aleksandra Kingston, Certified Pet Nutritionist
I have a long history of helping dog and cat owners improve their pets’ diets. My interest in pet nutrition started when my beloved dog Teddy, a Wheaten Terrier, became ill with severe skin allergies. He was already suffering from digestive issues. The vet put him on steroids to combat inflammation and antibiotics to treat a secondary bacterial infection.
It was unclear what he had become allergic to. After doing some research, I started suspecting that yeast, as opposed to food sensitivity, was a culprit. I started on a mission to eliminate grains from his diet. This led me to evaluating a variety of diets. Finally, I transitioned Teddy to a commercial raw diet (Oma’s Pride) supplemented with raw chicken necks. Needless to say, Teddy was very enthusiastic about his food. His digestive issues were resolved in a few weeks, but the allergies did not completely go away.
At first, Teddy’s food came from an independent pet store, but after a few months I stumbled upon a local raw feeding co-op. Joining the co-op brought the cost of the food down, but required additional work to prep the food and it seemed I always needed more freezer space. The co-op was a great community to learn from. A few months after joining the co-op and continuing with the raw diet, Teddy’s skin conditions started to improve. His health returned to him with the exception of manageable seasonal allergies mostly in the fall, which continue till this day.
Fueled with my gratitude to the co-op community, I felt compelled to pay it forward. I spent about a year moderating a Facebook group dedicated to raw feeding. After moving to Georgia, I started my own raw feeding co-op. I also began working with local meat farmers in Georgia to educate them about new market opportunities of working directly with raw diet feeding pet owners.
My network grew and my learning accelerated. I felt very confident in sourcing and creating raw food diets for dogs and introduced new friends and neighbors to the raw feeding community. I decided to take formal Pet Nutrition education. The Clinical Pet Nutrition Program was not only an important step in understanding the science behind healthy nutrition, but also the limitations of different diets.
With the help of another small business in Georgia, I created a go-to formulation of pet food called North Georgia Grinds. The new complete diet earned a local network of loyal customers. What I also came to realize is that there is not one ideal diet that fits every pet or every owner’s budget and lifestyle. From my experience sourcing food, I learned that there are many different ways to provide optimal nutrition for a pet. Feeding a wholesome less-processed diet doesn’t have to be laborious or stressful, and can be adjusted to fit a budget or a time limit.
It became my mission to teach pet owners how to make healthy choices when deciding on the diet for their pets. More than just recommending a certain diet and choosing supplements for pets, I would like my clients to feel empowered to make a choice that is right for them. Each pet-owner’s bond is unique and feeding is a big part of it. Feeding choices can greatly enhance this bond and enrich the lives of both the owner and pet. Whether a pet is healthy or sick, supporting their nutritional needs provides many benefits.
Proper nutrition and good feeding practices help to resolve and prevent health issues as well as behavioral challenges. A proper diet is just as important as proper training to ensure the well-being of your companion. Enabling your beloved pet to thrive by providing good nutrition and plenty of exercise will promote long life and a strong bond between you and your pet.
My Teddy is turning 10 this November and he is healthy and full of energy. His body is strong and lean. His coat is shiny. His teeth are white without the need for dental cleanings or even brushing! He has a cheerful attitude and is loving his feeding times. His breath and skin smell great.
Our approach:
1. With each service, we deliver a plan for your pet based on your pet’s needs, taking into account your lifestyle and budget.
2. Highly processed diets typically offer inadequate nutrition for your pets. We prefer whole food bases for pet meals, or in some cases a mix of whole food and processed feed when the pet can demonstrate a healthy response. There are many options to improve your pet’s diet. We are eager to work within your available time and budget to help improve your pet’s nutrition!
3. If your pet is currently undergoing a treatment or taking medications, we would tailor our nutrition recommendations to ensure your pet is taking additional nutrients that they might be needing because of it.
4. Our focus is on education and empowerment. We make sure the nutrition plan and the rationale behind it is very clear. We also discuss various alternatives and will help you make educated choices.
5. Every pet is unique. The bond you have with your pet and your daily interactions provide invaluable information for constructing our treatment plan. Please be open about all concerns, including any behavioral, eating, allergy, urinary, or voiding incidents that may occur before, during, or following any recommendations provided by us or the other professionals supporting you and your pet.
Call 770-696-6769 or email to info@local2pets.com to book your appointment!
Services and Rates
| Cost | Duration | Service | What you get |
| $60 Additional $15 for an in-home visit within a radius of 30 mile | 1 hour | New Patient Intake | Report outlining the areas of potential improvement and a treatment plan estimate. |
| $50 each
Additional $15 for an in-home visit within a radius of 30 miles |
custom quoted after intake, but at least:
3 x 1 hour |
Full consultation sessions via Zoom or Facetime or home visit (3 session minimum prepaid in advance).
This service requires the New Patient Intake completed. |
Detailed nutrition plan. These sessions will also cover follow up and re-assessment. |
| $40 | 1 hour | New raw-feeder support (offered only via Zoom or Facetime) | Introduction to raw diet choices, customized meal plan, and suggestions for further research. |
| $15 | N/A | An in-home visit within a radius of 30 miles | Only can be purchased together with |