Cats and dogs need a balanced diet with key vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and other essential nutrients. Why? High-quality pet nutrition can improve every aspect of animal wellness, including digestion, metabolism, hormonal balance, organ function, bone and joint health, and more. Good nutrition can also help prevent or lessen the impact of chronic health conditions, including obesity, heart disease, arthritis, and many cancers.
An animal that spends a lifetime eating healthy and nutritious food can be expected to enjoy a longer life!
Pet Nutrition Quality Guide
Keep the following in mind when making decisions about what and what not to feed your four-legged friend:
- You should be giving your pet enough food to support lean body mass and physical activity – no more, no less.
- Your animal may need different types or amounts of food at different points in its life. For instance, puppies and kittens often need more protein compared to adult animals, in order to support adequate growth and development. Likewise, your cat or dog may require certain dietary restrictions or modifications in order to appropriately monitor a chronic health condition, such as feline diabetes, kidney disease, food allergies, or overweight/obesity.
- Look at labels! It’s important to remember that what’s in your pet’s food is as important as what’s not in it. Avoid foods that contain things like artificial ingredients, chemicals, preservatives, and sugar, as these may increase your animal’s risk for things like obesity or dental disease. It may be helpful think about the money you spend on high-quality pet food as an investment in your pet’s health that could save you money in the long run by avoiding costly and stressful illnesses.
- Go easy on the treats (even when your pet’s being really, really cute!). Especially around the holidays, it’s important to remember that too many table scraps and snacks throughout the day may reinforce undesirable behaviors and make your animal a fussy eater. Plus, many human foods are toxic to cats and dogs (including onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate, and chicken bones), and you could end up accidentally harming your pet.
If you have a question about your pet’s nutritional needs, don’t hesitate to contact our veterinarian team! We offer a variety of comprehensive pet nutrition services, including allergen testing, prescription diets, chronic illness, weight management guidance, and more.