Choosing the Right Pet Food: A Vet-Approved Guide for Dogs & Cats

Proper nutrition is a key aspect of pet health. A good, well balanced diet in young dogs and cats can set them up for a long healthy life. With all the brands of pet foods on the market, choosing a nutritious pet food that you can trust can be a daunting task. There are a few important things to keep in mind while shopping for pet food that can help guide you in making the right choice for your pet.

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Not all pet foods are created equal so reading an ingredient label is key. A balanced pet diet typically includes proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. A properly balanced pet food should have an AAFCO statement which guarantees that the diet is well balanced and nutritious. The ingredient label should list the protein as one of the first ingredients.

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It is also important to choose a diet that is appropriate for the pet’s current age and lifestyle. Puppies have a higher calorie requirement so they must be fed a puppy formulated food until they reach a certain age whereas a dog over 7 years old may have lower caloric needs and would benefit from a senior formulated dog food. Diet can also be used as a form of treatment. For pets with certain illnesses such as diabetes or kidney disease, a veterinarian may recommend a prescription diet that can treat the condition and prevent it from getting worse.

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There are some red flags that we recommend to keep an eye out for when choosing a pet food for your fur baby. Diets that say “suitable for all life stages” cannot be formulated to be nutritious enough for a puppy and a senior pet at the same time. We also recommend to steer clear of diets that say “grain-free” unless specifically recommended by your veterinarian. Additives in “grain-free” diets have been linked to heart failure in pets. Additionally, we strongly recommend that you feed raw food with extreme caution. Raw diets can contain contaminants that lead to food poisoning in pets and can also be picked up by the owner after handling the food so these diets are not always safe.

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In general, there are three brands of food that the veterinarians at 4 Paws trust. Royal Canin, Hills Science Diet and Purina Pro Plan all have good quality control and a team of vets on their side to be sure the foods are safe, nutritious and well balanced.