PET Nutrition 101: Is Your Pet Getting the Right Stuff?

Feeding your pet is among the most unconscious things you can do. You scoop out the kibble or crack open a can of wet food, put it in the bowl, and watch as your furry friend digs in with excitement. But have you ever stopped to wonder if what you're feeding your pet is the best? Nutrition is one of the most important areas, but which pet owner gives them much care, in fact, a neglected part of pet care. There, your dog or cat loves their food, but are you offering them actual nutrients for a long and healthy life?

Just as is the case in human nutrition, it holds the key to better or worse pet health. With all of that being said, let us really explain what pet nutrition is all about and how you can ensure that you are providing for your pet the best you can.

What Constitutes a Balanced Diet?

There is always mention of a "balanced diet," but what does it look like for our pets? Well, simply speaking, giving the right amount of proteins, fats, carbs, vitamins, and minerals to a pet would be considered a balanced diet. It goes differently to different species as every species has its respective nutritional requirements. While there are dogs known to be omnivores and can consume meat as well as plant-based food, on the other hand, there is a cat which is an obligate carnivore, which puts considerable reliance upon the animal-based proteins.

Protein serves as the structure for your pet's muscles, skin, and organs. It is the most important part of their building and diet. Fats provide packed energy and healthy skin with an excellent glossy coat. Carbohydrates, while not often needed to an extensive degree, can be used to fuel energy along with providing fiber to support digestion.

Again, it's not so much a question of choosing an appropriate food that provides these ingredients, but rather getting the right balance and quality.

Decoding Pet Food Labels

I'm sure you can relate to this: standing in the pet food aisle, staring blankly at the seemingly endless rows of brands and flavors and formulations promising to be the best for your pet. Know how to read pet food labels.

For pet owners outside the United States, look for a statement by either the AAFCO or the FEDIAF. These organizations set benchmarks to ensure that commercial pet foods carry a minimum nutritional level. For products made in the United States, the presence of an AAFCO statement means the food was designed to meet the minimum nutritional requirements for your pet based on its life stage: puppy/kitten, adult, or senior.

Scanning over the list of ingredients. Ingredients are declared in descending order of weight. Ideally, a good animal protein source - such as chicken, beef, or fish - should be the first item on the list. Be wary if you see fillers such as corn, soy, or wheat listed high on the list-they often bulk up the food with no nutritional content to show for it.

Finally, pay attention to the guaranteed analysis that shows the breakdown of the food into its macronutrient content in terms of percentages of protein, fat, and fiber. This could help you understand what your pet is actually receiving.

Wet vs. Dry Food: Does It Matter?

One of the most common questions asked of pet owners is to feed wet, dry, or both. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages, so it all depends on your pet's liking or requirement.

The advantages of kibble, which is dry food, are practicality and price, as well as being good for one's teeth because it helps prevent the formation of tartar. However, many processed dry foods tend to be lower quality.

Wet food is usually moist, thereby ideal for animals that are not self-water drinkers, especially cats. Wet food is also more palatable than dry food. It might be more capable of resembling a pet's natural diet, therefore perfect for picky eaters or pets with dental problems. The two disadvantages of wet food are higher cost and shelf life, as it spoils faster.

Eventually, most owners feed an overlap of both just to ensure their pet benefits from the best of each type.

Homemade Diets: Healthy Gamble or Risky Game?

Some pet owners turn to homemade diets as an alternative to commercial foods. The concept is pretty alluring - control over the ingredients in the homemade diet promises fresh, whole foods for your pet. In theory, that sounds great, and indeed, it's very appealing - but if not done properly, it poses significant risks.

The greatest challenge associated with homemade diets is that the diets are very hard to make balanced. It's easy over-feed or under-feed an essential nutrient, causing deficiencies or excesses. For example, it has been pointed out that an overdose of liver can lead to vitamin A poisoning in cats. Additionally, a badly balanced ratio of calcium-to-phosphorus in dogs leads to bone problems.

If you are thinking about feeding your pet at home, you should consult with a veterinary nutritionist. They can assist in developing a balanced meal that meets all of your pet's needs.

Common Pet Nutrition Myths

There are also many myths associated with pet nutrition. Some of these myths originate from questionable marketing techniques or ancient information. It is time to bust a few common ones:

• "Grain-free is always better." Not necessarily. While some pets do have grain allergies, they are rare. Grain-free diets have been associated with heart disease in dogs and most grain-free products simply replace grains with other fillers such as potatoes or peas.
• "Scraps from the table are okay." Giving your pet table scraps seems so harmless, but believe it or not, many human foods are poisonous to pets. Chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, and some artificial sweeteners like xylitol are real killers for dogs and cats.
• "Older pets need low-protein diets." Some believe that, as pets grow older, they require less protein; that is a fallacy. Old pets often have an increased need for high-quality protein in order to build up muscles.

Feeding Your Pet According to Their Life Stage

An animal's nutritional needs change as they grow. Puppies and kittens require higher calorie intake and more nutrients to fuel their rapid growth, while adult pets need a more balanced diet to help them stay healthy. Usually, older dogs do much better on the lower-calorie foods which often contain higher fiber content and ingredients supporting joint health.
Don't be afraid to change foods as your pet goes through life changes. What that one-year-old and spry dog loves to eat is probably not going to serve his fifty-year-old body in the best interest when he develops a bad case of arthritis or kidney problems. Consult with your vet to make sure you are changing up his diet appropriately.

Your Pet's Health Starts in the Bowl

Feeding the right stuff to your pet is more than picking a food that catches your eye on the shelf. It is about understanding what makes your pet special and putting them on the right mix of nutrients to help thrive at every stage of life. Once you learn how to read labels, know your pet's life-stage diet requirements, and understand what and when to discuss with your veterinarian, you can be confident that your furry friend is eating a diet which shall support his health and happiness many years down the road.

Ultimately, there is no better assurance of health and happiness than an adequately nourished animal-and really that's all we all want.