Tips for Choosing the Best Diet for Your Pet

Last updated 10 months ago

Providing for your pet’s dietary needs is vital for its everyday health and continued wellbeing as they age. Veterinarians know best what nutritional requirements your pet has, so be sure to consult with an expert before moving forward with a specific diet. The following guidelines can also aid in choosing the best foods for your pet’s health.

Select foods that are high in protein. Dogs and cats require meals that provide for their protein needs. As cats subsist on a purely carnivorous diet, veterinary hospitals recommend that their meals have especially high protein content.

Choose foods containing essential vitamins. Animals have different vitamin and mineral requirements. Speak with a qualified pet dietary expert regarding what your cat or dog needs to be healthy.

Go easy on the treats. Veterinarians advise that treats make up no more than 10 percent of your pet’s total diet. Given the rising rate of obesity in animals, it is vital that you give out treats sparingly. Pets don’t need large treats to feel rewarded. A treat the size of a chickpea will satisfy even larger animals.

Incorporate variety into your pet’s diet. Just as with humans, the same meals day after day can bore animals. This may eventually cause them to refuse their food. To ensure that your pet receives its daily nutritional needs, mix up their meals. Not only will it appreciate the gesture, but also you will know that it is meeting its dietary requirements when its bowl is empty after mealtime.

Adjust your pet’s diet according to age. Kittens and puppies have different nutritional needs than older cats and dogs. Veterinary hospitals can advise pet owners on the changing dietary requirements of aging pets. This will allow you to enjoy the company of your healthy and happy pet for many years to come.

With 3 locations in the greater San Diego area, ABC Veterinary Hospitals provides expert animal care for pets and their owners. Our skilled veterinarians have an excellent bedside manner that will put any pet at ease. To learn more about our services, which include spay and neuter and pet surgery treatment options, please call (858) 278-1825.