Bryants Road Vet – Personalised, professional care for your pets

Choosing the best food for your cat or dog

When it comes to choosing the best food for your cat or dog, there are several factors to consider to ensure you meet their nutritional needs.

Age, lifestyle, breed and food quality all need to be considered when deciding the right type and brand of food for your pet.

Cat food and dog food aren’t interchangeable

When choosing the best food for your cat or dog, it is crucial to select a food that is appropriate for their species. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they rely on the nutrients found in animal tissues to survive. Their bodies have higher protein requirements and need higher levels of fat and essential amino acids like taurine. On the other hand, dogs are more omnivorous and have different protein and fat needs compared to cats.

Feeding a cat dog food or vice versa can lead to nutritional imbalances and potentially harm the health of your pet. It’s important to choose a food specifically formulated for either cats or dogs to ensure they receive the appropriate nutrients for their species.

By providing species-specific nutrition, you are meeting the unique nutritional needs of your pet, which can contribute to their overall health and well-being.

Select food that is specially formulated for their age and breed

Puppy dog eating food

Puppies and kittens have different nutritional needs than adult dogs and cats. They require higher levels of dietary protein and energy to support their growth and development. To meet these unique requirements, look for specially formulated puppy or kitten food.

As your pet ages, their nutritional needs change. Senior pets, on the other hand, may benefit from a senior-specific diet that supports healthy ageing and addresses age-related conditions. These diets are typically formulated with ingredients that promote joint health and provide balanced nutrition to meet the specific needs of older animals.

In addition to age, consider the breed of your pet. Different breeds may have specific nutritional needs and preferences. Different breeds may have specific dietary preferences and requirements. For example, large and giant breed puppies have different dietary needs to support their rapid bone growth, while small or toy breed puppies may benefit from slower growth to prevent skeletal issues. By selecting a food that meets your pet’s breed-specific needs, you can ensure they are getting the right nutrients for their optimal health.

Consider your pet’s lifestyle

Your pet’s lifestyle is another crucial aspect to consider. Active dogs may require higher energy diets to support their activity levels, while overweight pets may benefit from weight management foods formulated with fewer calories. By tailoring their diet to their lifestyle, you can ensure your pet receives the energy they need or supports their weight management goals.

Buy the best quality food you can afford

The quality of pet food available varies dramatically. However, with no regulated pet food standards in Australia, it can be quite confusing when it comes to assessing the claims some pet food brands make, and working out just how good the food actually is for your cat or dog.

Cheaper dog food is not typically as “complete” or balanced a diet compared to the more expensive options and lacks some of the extra vitamins and minerals that you’d find in a premium option. Look for food that contains meat as the first ingredient and avoid fillers and artificial additives, as they may not offer the same nutrition as higher-quality options.

What about a raw food, grain-free or home-cooked diet?

While there are many proponents for raw food or grain-free diets, there is little scientific evidence to support these restricted diets.

Grain-free diets can actually be quite harmful, and lead to canine dilated cardiomyopathy.  A strict raw food diet is very difficult to make ‘complete and balanced’ when it comes to nutrition for your pooch and can also put your pet at risk of becoming seriously ill and even compromise the health of people in your household. A home-cooked diet is less restrictive, but to do it well takes a big commitment. It can also be quite difficult to prepare a home a balanced diet that covers all nutritional elements for your cat or dog.

If you do choose to feed your pet a restricted diet, we strongly recommend that you consult a board-certified veterinary nutritionist to ensure that your pet receives all that they need for their particular life stage and individual dietary requirements.

Need some personalised advice?

The vets at Bryants Road Vet Clinic have extensive expertise in pet nutrition and are here to help discuss with you the best food for your cat or dog that suits their age, lifestyle, health and budget.

To schedule an appointment to discuss what you should feed your cat or dog, call us on 07 3801 1744, book online, or drop into our Loganholme vet clinic at 141 Bryants Road.