Diet and Nutrition For Your Pet

The privilege of pet ownership is often taken for granted. Our freedom to own pets gives us the opportunity to share our lives with some of the most loving and caring of God’s creatures. Our lives are enriched on a daily basis by their presence. But with this privilege, comes responsibility. We (humans) have taken animals such as dogs and cats, and altered their genetic code in such a way that they might serve us and live comfortably with us in our environment. Subsequently, many of these animals no longer have the ability to exist on their own, as they once did in nature. It is therefore our responsibility, as “Patrons” of these species, to assure that they are provided the best care we can possibly give. And in light of the amount of unselfish love, service and devotion they provide us, how could we consider anything less?

So how can we be sure that we are doing the best for our animal friends who share our lives? As a veterinarian, I have chosen the daunting task, not only of providing healthcare to pets, but of keeping pet owners educated and aware of the needs of their pets. In pursuit of that task, I would like to share some basic information on general pet care.
Let’s start with the essentials of daily life, food, water and shelter. Obviously pets need something to eat, water to drink, and a place to stay. But what food? How much? How often? Diet is a very important cornerstone for good health. Lets start with dogs and cats first. We'll deal with the exotic species in another article. The best recommendation is to feed a high-quality, commercially produced food, specifically designed for your pet’s species, age, and size. Dry foods provide a more economical form of nutrition. Canned food is okay, but it is often far more expensive, and not always the best solution for the average pet on a daily basis. Puppies and kittens need to have a diet formulated with adequate amounts of fat, protein and carbohydrate to support growth of tissues. The diet should also contain the essential micro-nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, so that bones and muscle can grow at the proper rate and extent. Puppies and kittens should be fed 3 times a day until 3 months of age, and then fed twice a day until about one year of age. Once the growth phase is finished, a maintenance diet should be fed. Again, quality is important. Many of the less expensive foods may have the correct amounts of ingredients, and have what appears to be an impressive list of nutritional sources, but if the process by which the food is manufactured is not of utmost quality, the ingredients may not be available for digestion. It is always best to consult your veterinarian when selecting a diet for your pet. This is especially true if your pet needs a specific type of diet or specific kind of ingredient. The integrity of the immune system, as well as the function of the other organs such as the kidneys, liver and heart is directly linked to the dietary nutrition status of the pet, especially as the pet ages. A poor diet, or even one considered to be “adequate” can lead to development of diseases that can threaten the quality and length of a pet’s life.

Many times you may hear of 'natural diets' or 'raw meat' diets. Many of these diets are appropriate for specific animals with specific health conditions or certain environmental needs. The problems with these diets are a lack of consistent quality control, a short 'shelf life' and in many cases, dubious nutritional basis for their formulations. Often they are also difficult to prepare on a regular basis. Most people do not have the time or resources to dedicate to preparing such diets on a regular basis, and therefore, can obtain a more consistent and reliable nutritional profile for their pet with a quality commercial diet.

Here are some basic things to look for in a quality diet:



A single, specified protein source, preferably of human food grade quality. Cats especially, are obligate carnivores, and meat protein is essential to their well being.

Avoid Soy Protein as a primary ingredient. In recent years, soy has become less favored as a primary protein source.

Look for natural preservatives such as Vitamin E. Stay away from anything that has Ethoxyquin or BHT as a preservative.

A lack of artificial colorings or dyes. These aren't necessary and only serve to make you aesthetically pleased with the food. Your pet could care less.


Avoid foods with 'by-products' in the list of ingredients. This generally indicates the incorporation of less than quality parts of the animal carcass, and may or may not have nutritional value.

In general, the premium quality diets are the best, and offer better quality ingredients, and a more refined processing protocol that leads to better digestibility. Even if the ingredients list is the same on a 'cheap' brand of dog or cat food, the source of the ingredients is likely different and the way that the product was cooked and mixed is different. This is where the cost difference is. The adage, " You get what you pay for" is, in general, true when it comes to pet food.

These are just basics. Always maintain a close relationship with a veterinarian that you trust. Consult with your vet, and start with a good food, and you will have fewer visits to the veterinary clinic for illnesses.

FFor more information about this and other pet related topics or questions, visit our website at www.bellroadamc.com or email us at info@bellroadamc.com or even call us at 334-279-9100