A guide to pet nutrition
Keeping your pet dog or cat happy and healthy starts with good nutrition, and while it’s a complex science, serving up a balanced bowl might be easier than you think.
Key Takeaways
- A “complete and balanced” pet food gives your cat or dog all the nutrients they need in the right ratios.
- Home-cooked diets often lack calcium, vitamin D, zinc and fatty acids – vet advice is essential if you go this route.
- Watch your pet’s Body Condition Score, stool quality and appetite for early signs of dietary issues.
- Dry food is more calorie-dense than wet food, so portion sizes should differ accordingly.
Eating a balanced diet isn’t just important for humans. Our pets need good nutrition to thrive, too. “Cats and dogs don’t store all the nutrients they consume so if they don’t have a balanced diet, short- and long-term consequences can impact their health,” says Dr Shiva Greenhalgh, registered animal nutritionist at Sydney Animal Nutrition.
The good news though is it’s not hard to give your pets what they need – here’s what to look out for when buying pet food and some common signs that your four-legged friends are healthy and happy.
Why is a balanced diet important for dogs and cats?
A balanced diet means feeding your pet the right proportions of protein, fat and key nutrients to meet their energy needs and avoid deficiencies.
“Giving your pets a complete and balanced diet essentially means feeding them all the right nutrients in the right ratios, and making sure they’re getting enough protein and fat and meeting their energy requirements,” Dr Greenhalgh says.
Other important nutrients include amino acids (found in protein), fatty acids, calcium, zinc and vitamin D, as deficiencies in any of these can then lead to more serious illness. “Without fatty acids, for example, the cells can’t take in fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin D, which may lead to bone issues and impact your pet’s ability to walk without pain,” she says.
Given that pet food is an exact science, Dr Greenhalgh recommends feeding your pets store-bought pet food rather than cooking them meals yourself. “People who do home-cooked diets may not include fatty acids and they might miss vitamins or not include sufficient amounts,” she says. “With home-cooked diets, calcium, vitamin D, zinc and copper are the main nutrients animals can become deficient in.”
What are the signs of poor pet nutrition?
Noticing the signs of dietary deficiencies can be challenging. “Animals hide illnesses and some things aren’t really that obvious unless you’re quite attentive and can see subtle differences,” Dr Greenhalgh says.
That’s where regular check-ups come in. As a starting point, your vet will look at your dog or cat’s Body Condition Score. “It’s almost like the BMI (body mass index) for humans,” she explains. “Weight is one aspect but we also look at height, and for other things such as any protruding areas and if we can feel the ribs when we run our hands over their bodies.”
At home, keep an eye on these warning signs:
- Stool quality: should be well-formed with some moisture, not too loose or too dry. “What’s regular for one dog is not regular for another, so you’re looking for consistency,” Dr Greenhalgh says.
- Sudden weight change: any noticeable weight loss or gain needs to be checked by a vet.
- Vomiting or lip-licking in dogs, especially in the mornings.
- Reduced appetite or quietness in cats, or changes in how they approach food.
If you notice any other changes in your pet, talk to your vet.
How to provide a balanced diet for your pet
There’s one simple way to make sure your pet is getting a balanced diet: look for the words ‘complete and balanced’ on the packaging of pet food. “All foods that are ‘complete and balanced’ must say it on the front of the pack, in line with Australian standards,” Dr Greenhalgh says. “Any foods that aren’t complete and balanced – for example, toppers – must be labelled as supplementary or complementary.”
Should I feed my pet wet or dry food?
As to whether you give your pet wet or dry food, or supplementary additions, that comes down to “palatability” – something Dr Greenhalgh suggests is less important than we think. “We have thousands of tastebuds but dogs only have about 1700 and cats have something like 400-500, so variety is not necessary,” she says.
“Obviously, if your dog or cat has issues getting their intake, you can use toppers but if they’re eating quite happily, there’s generally no need – you’re just adding additional calories that might be detrimental in the long-term as far as obesity goes.” The same goes for treats – they’re a great way to reward and bond with your pet, but treats should stay under 10% of their daily calorie intake to avoid tipping the balance.
If you do switch between wet and dry food, Dr Greenhalgh says be aware of quantity control: “Dry food is much denser in calories, so give less of it.”
How much should I feed my dog or cat?
Quantity depends on breed, size and life stage. Pets generally fall into three feeding categories:
- Growth (puppies and kittens)
- Pregnant and lactating
- Adult
A good rule of thumb is to check with your vet so you can adjust for your pet’s changing needs throughout life.
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