As veterinarians, we care about what goes into your pet’s body, and so should you! Choosing the right pet food is crucial for them to live comfortably and be as healthy as possible. Deciding the best food for pets may seem overwhelming, but there are a few tricks that can help you make the right choice for them.
We all know what we have to eat to stay healthy and strong, and it’s no different for your pets. Here are some pet nutrition tips to help you along the way:
How to Choose the Right Dog Food
Dogs need to eat specific foods at different stages of life, and adhering to certain diets is essential for maintaining quality health. These are the top three ways to ensure you buy the right one for your dogs.
Understanding Ages/Breeds
Puppies and adult dogs need different ingredients in higher quantities from each other, so what you feed your puppy should be different from what you feed your adult dog. Likewise, some breeds need different nutrients, so we suggest vet-recommended pet food tailored to your animal’s needs.
Monitoring Allergies
Many dogs develop allergies to certain dog food ingredients, at which point you should not buy foods containing that ingredient. You may want to discuss possible causes with your dog’s vet of the allergic reaction and how to prevent putting them through that in the future.
Reading Labels
Companies will scatter different types of ingredients (such as corn products) to space them out and make it appear as though less of that product is being used. They are also misleading about the amount of each ingredient that is actually in the food. For example, “beef” indicates there is at least 70% of beef in that food, whereas “with beef” means they only have to have 3% of beef in the product.
How to Choose the Right Cat Food
Our furry felines deserve to eat foods that enrich their lives, not make them uncomfortable or unhealthy. Choosing the right pet food can be tricky, but here are some key factors to look out for.
Understanding Ages/Breeds
As with dogs, you should be prepared to invest in different foods throughout different life stages. Additionally, many cat breeds vary in what they need in their diet, which should be a key factor in determining which cat food to buy.
Checking the Ingredients
Your kitties need lean meats, probiotics, fiber, and antioxidants; try to opt for foods that list ingredients that are high in these areas for their benefit. Certain ingredients are much better for your cats than others, particularly foods that have a large amount of filler in them.
Current Health
Food isn’t one-size-fits-all, including for those cats who are sick; some cats may slowly worsen if they don’t have the right diet. Some special diets are designed to help cats with obesity, skin conditions, stomach problems, and heart disease.
Confidently Choosing the Right Pet Food
It’s important to stay educated about vet-recommended pet foods to keep your furry companions happy and healthy. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for the best dog food vs cat food; you should be prepared for whatever their needs may be. If you’re unsure about the food you’re currently feeding them or still have questions, give Old Dominion Veterinary Clinic a call, and we’d be happy to help!
