General Guidelines for Pet Nutrition

Welcome back, humans (and fellow pets that learned how to read)! It’s CJ and Rex here, and we are once again joined by our fine feline friend, Whiskers, to talk about pet nutrition. It’s assumed that pets are naturally bubbly and energetic – but this is only partly true. A lot of your furry friend’s temperament will be a result of a balanced diet rich in nutrition! Can I get a woof woof, Rex?

Rex: Woof woof indeed, CJ! Dogs like us require six basic nutrients in our diet: water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. 

CJ: Well said, Rex! And how should our humans go about providing us with a diet that includes those nutrients? 

Rex: There’s a lot of information out there about picking the best dog food, and a lot of it can be misleading. When it comes to choosing a nutritious option, pick a food that includes recognizable, whole-food ingredients. The price tag and the ingredients don’t necessarily indicate the quality, so just make sure that you find something that contains important ingredients that dogs want and need. 

CJ: Sounds good to me! For the feline side of things, we’ll turn to Whiskers!

Whiskers: Thank you for allowing me to share my purr-spective, CJ! While dogs can enjoy an omnivorous diet – meaning they can get all of their necessary nutrients from plant and meat-based sources – cats require an animal-based diet to meet their nutritional needs. The amino acid known as taurine helps with cats’ heart function and vision, and that can only be found in meat-based proteins. 

CJ: Interesting! So cat owners should I always keep chicken or fish around for kitty?

Whiskers: Right! Or it would be a real fur paw… y’know, like faux paus?

CJ & Rex: Hmm… 

Whiskers: Anyway! A high-quality, animal-based diet – paired with free access to fresh, clean water – will keep cats happy and energized! Meow.

 

CJ: Thanks for the insight, Whiskers! So is there any reliable rule of thumb to follow when picking out a pet food? Even though we don’t have thumbs?

Rex: Yes! When searching for a pet food company, it’s best to select a well-established company with a long history in the business. 

Whiskers: These companies are more likely to have robust test feeding systems that improve their products and achieve the best nutritional content possible. Can I get a meow, boys!?

CJ & Rex: Woof! Woof!

 

Whiskers: That’ll do!

CJ: With that said, I think this is a great place to stop; we’ve covered a lot! Thank you, Rex and Whiskers, for sharing your thoughts with us. If any of our readers have more questions about pet nutrition, reach out to the expert veterinarians at Bulverde Animal Hospital.