What foods should I feed my dog or cat?
There are multiple brands with very effective marketing. In general, large companies such as Science Diet, Royal Canin, and Waltham, have the ability to perform pretty good quality control. In addition, these companies manufacture prescription foods that are of very high quality.
Food labels are not as helpful to determine the quality of ingredients. The calories vary by type of food, activity level, and metabolism of the pet, so we recommend using the suggested amounts provided by the bag and then adjusting depending on how the pet is growing.
For large breed puppies, we recommend puppy food for large breeds to prevent bone deformities due to rapid growth.
Dental disease is a very common problem, so diets such as Science Diet Oral Care are excellent for adult dogs.
In cats, especially male cats, it is very important to feed canned food to ensure the urine does not concentrate and precipitate crystals that can result in an emergency due to urethral obstruction.
To avoid diarrhea, transition to new foods by gradually increasing the proportion over approx 5 days.
Food labels are not as helpful to determine the quality of ingredients. The calories vary by type of food, activity level, and metabolism of the pet, so we recommend using the suggested amounts provided by the bag and then adjusting depending on how the pet is growing.
For large breed puppies, we recommend puppy food for large breeds to prevent bone deformities due to rapid growth.
Dental disease is a very common problem, so diets such as Science Diet Oral Care are excellent for adult dogs.
In cats, especially male cats, it is very important to feed canned food to ensure the urine does not concentrate and precipitate crystals that can result in an emergency due to urethral obstruction.
To avoid diarrhea, transition to new foods by gradually increasing the proportion over approx 5 days.
Resources
People Foods to avoid feeing your pets.
Food Finicky Dogs.
AAFCO Pet Food Labeling.
Is Grain free pet food causing heart problems?
Is Homemade Food Good or Bad for your Pet?
How to make Balanced Pet Food with the guidance of a UC Davis Clinical Nutritionist.
It is too risky to make homemade cat food?
People Foods to avoid feeing your pets.
Food Finicky Dogs.
AAFCO Pet Food Labeling.
Is Grain free pet food causing heart problems?
Is Homemade Food Good or Bad for your Pet?
How to make Balanced Pet Food with the guidance of a UC Davis Clinical Nutritionist.
It is too risky to make homemade cat food?
What foods should I feed my small mammal/pocket pet?
Oxbow and Zupreem have excellent products. Read this article for more information on Small Mammal Nutrition: Nutrition for Small Mammals
What foods should I feed my bird?
Lafeber and Zupreem have excellent products. Birds do well when offered a variety of appropriate table foods. Seeds should be a minimal part of the diet. For more information on Parrot Nutrion, click this link: Parrot Nutrition