If ‘you are what you eat’ is true, then wouldn’t you want your pets to be eating the healthiest, most nutritious food to ensure their maximum wellbeing and longevity? And yet sometimes we can’t help but give in to our pets’ desires to share our forbidden snacks, or we don’t see them scavenging in the rubbish bin, or we don’t make the connection between their pet food and their persistent itchy skin.
Each individual pet’s most ideal pet food will be different, since different pets have different nutritional needs based on their breed, size, and health profile. Also, their body’s ability to absorb nutrients and the way they react to certain ingredients are genetically coded or could be attributed to a health disruption in their early life. So how do you ensure your pet is getting the nutrition they need and how do you know what your pet shouldn’t be eating?
Read this useful guide for more information on your pet’s daily nutrition and then consult with the vet to get their recommendation for the best food for your pet.
Foods your pets should eat
If your pet is generally healthy, they need a good balance of protein, fats and carbohydrates in their daily meals. Premium pet foods will clearly state on the label what the source ingredient is of each of these macronutrients, and the ingredients will be listed from the highest to lowest volume contained in the pet food.
- If your pet has kidney disease, they should eat a veterinary diet with lower protein and mineral content.
- If your pet has diabetes, their veterinary diet should contain more protein, low-fat ingredients, as well as far fewer carbohydrates and starches than regular pet food. They will also need to be fed smaller meals throughout the day to keep their blood sugar stable.
- Pets with heart disease will need a veterinary diet with reduced sodium as well as a weight management diet to keep their body condition healthy and not place additional strain on their heart. Their food should be focused on antioxidant-rich ingredients, omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, as well as heart-health ingredients such as taurine, L-carnitine and phosphorus.
- Obese pets will need a weight management diet that focuses on healthy lean proteins, increased dietary fibre to keep them satiated, and a lower fat percentage than regular pet food.
- Pets who experience epileptic seizures will need careful monitoring. They should not eat proteins containing glutamate, which means they should avoid most commercial pet foods. (Glutamate is found in corn, meat meal, soy, rice, dairy, peanuts, meat from grain-fed livestock, fatty meats, grains, and beans and legumes.)
As you can see, the foods your pets should and shouldn’t eat depend exclusively on their health, genetic conditions, and medical concerns.
How to choose the right food for your pet
Choosing the best pet food for a pet that is generally healthy and in good shape will still require some discernment. Pet food manufacturers recognise the value of customising pet foods to best suit the breed, age, and lifestyle activity of pets, to ensure their nutrition meets their daily needs. For example:
- Puppies and kittens need a nutritional solution that will support their rapid growth from the time they are weaned from their mothers, to young adulthood. This phase sets the foundation for their lifelong health, so it must be fortified with the highest quality pet food available to give them the best start to great health.
- Adult dogs and cats require a standard diet that best meets their need for balanced macronutrients as well as the vitamins and minerals required to feed their bones, immune system and vital organs.
- Active dogs (like working breeds, herders, and canine sports stars) will need specialised nutrition that meets their need for additional energy, lean protein to support their muscles, and additional joint support to minimise the wear and tear of joint cartilage.
- Breed-specific pet food is designed to meet the unique needs of individual dog and cat breeds. For instance, the Maine Coon’s giant stature requires heart health support as well as joint protection; while the hairless Sphynx’s active metabolism (required to control their body temperature) needs high energy food. They also need additional omega-3 and -6 fatty acids to protect their delicate skin. Giant breed dogs need additional joint care, while toy and mini breeds prone to dental issues require kibble that is specially designed for their jaw shape, and to encourage chewing and salivating to help keep their teeth clean.
- Breed size also matters. Generally, kibble for larger dogs is larger and denser, while kibble for smaller dogs is smaller in size. There are also ingredient or compositional differences between large and small breed dog food, to meet the energy and mineral requirements for the different sizes.
- Senior pets’ dietary needs will change as they age, so their pet food needs to change along with them. They require less energy as they become less active, while needing additional joint, heart, and cognitive support in the form of glucosamine, omega-3s and antioxidants. Their vitamin and mineral profile will change, which means their intake should also change, to help protect their kidneys.
To ensure your pet is eating the most appropriate pet food, always feed them according to their size, breed and age. Your pet’s health and genetic condition may also mean that they need additional nutritional support. If you have any questions about how your pet’s diet is affecting their health, make an appointment with the vet to discuss your concerns.
Foods your pets should not eat
There are plenty of options of food for your pet to eat to keep them healthy, but there are just as many foods your pets should NOT eat, which will make them very sick. Most of these foods that should not be given to dogs are the same foods that you should never feed your pet cat. They include:
Alcohol
This is an absolute no-brainer. Alcohol is a poison that acts as a depressant on the central nervous system. It is also toxic to the liver. Just a small amount of alcohol can be deadly to pets, so keep them far away from it.
Chocolate and caffeine
There are stimulants (including caffeine) in chocolate, which your pet’s digestive system cannot process. They build up and become toxic to pets, causing vomiting and diarrhoea, and even affect pets’ heartrate and neurology. A lot of chocolate and/or caffeine (relative to the animal’s size) can cause them to have seizures and even bleed internally. Too much chocolate can be fatal for pets.
Avocado
There are two aspects of avocado that can be dangerous to pets: firstly, avos contain persin, which is a fungicidal toxin in the leaves and pip, and it is poisonous to animals. Secondly, avocados are high in fat, which is dangerous for pets who are susceptible to pancreatitis. Even a small amount of avo can trigger a pancreatitis attack.
Xylitol
In our sugar-conscious society, xylitol has become a popular household ingredient, making it more accessible to animals. However, pets’ bodies react adversely to xylitol: even though it doesn’t raise blood sugar levels, their pancreas secretes insulin in response to xylitol, sending their blood sugar plummeting and they become hypoglycaemic. Xylitol can cause animals to go into shock and die, so never feed anything labelled as ‘sugar-free’ to pets.
Onions and garlic
Onions, garlic, leeks and chives are all part of the same Allium family, and contain a compound called N-propyl disulfide. This compound attacks red blood cells and can cause haemolytic anaemia in dogs, if they consume enough of it. The symptoms of N-propyl disulfide poisoning are pale gums, rapid heartrate, weakness and they may even collapse. These symptoms may only appear hours or even days after exposure, so if you suspect that your pet has eaten onions or a plant from the Allium family, call the vet immediately.
Raw meat and eggs
Plainly put, pets eating raw meat and eggs always have the risk of coming into contact with bacteria like salmonella, E. coli and listeria. These bacteria can make them very sick, especially if their immune system is weak or compromised, or they have a health condition like pancreatitis. Pets exposed to bacteria from uncooked food can also create an exposure risk for their humans.
Grapes and raisins
It wasn’t known until recently that tartaric acid is the compound in grapes and raisins that makes pets sick if they consume them. Pets cannot metabolise tartaric acid, so it becomes toxic in their body, damaging the kidneys and even leading to renal failure and death. From grapes and raisins as a snack, to treats like fruit cake, Chelsea buns or hot-X-buns, rusks, trail mix, cereals and biscuits, be sure to never give your pets any foods containing these ingredients.
Dairy
Most dogs and cats are lactose intolerant after they’ve been weaned off their mother’s milk. They should not consume any dairy products like milk, cheese, cream and yoghurt, or they run the risk of gastrointestinal upset (diarrhoea and vomiting).
Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts are poisonous to dogs and cats and must never be fed to them – not even the tiniest bit. Contact the vet immediately if any of your pets have eaten macadamia nuts.
Salty snacks
Too much sodium can be poisonous to pets, causing dehydration. The symptoms of sodium ion poisoning can include excessive thirst and the subsequent urination; vomiting and diarrhoea, hyperthermia, tremors, depression and seizures. Dehydration that is unresolved or left untreated can be fatal. It’s unlikely that pets will die from a crisp or two, but it’s best to avoid letting them eat any overly salted food at all.
Bones
Bones have forever been associated with dogs, but they are actually quite dangerous to our furry family. Yes, dogs love to chew on anything that tastes like meat, but when bones splinter, they can cause multiple injuries – from your dog’s mouth and throat, to their oesophagus, stomach and intestines. Bones are strong enough to break your dog’s teeth, they are a choking hazard, and can perforate any of the soft tissues all the way along the gastrointestinal tract. Instead of a bone, rather give your dog a durable chew toy or natural treats to chew on.
How to switch from one pet food to another
Pets will react differently to different pet foods. If you switch your pet suddenly from one food to another, it can upset their stomach and take a while for their digestion to return to normal. The standard method of switching from one food to another is to gradually increase the ratio of new food to old food during the course of a week, until you’re only feeding your pet the new food.
Each bag of pet food will have a feeding guide and a guide to transition your pet from the old food to the new variety – some will be quicker than others, but the rule of thumb will look something like this:
Day 1: 75% current food, 25% new food
Day 2: 70% current food, 30% new food
Day 3: 60% current food, 40% new food
Day 4: 50% current food, 50% new food
Day 5: 30% current food, 70% new food
Day 6: 20% current food, 80% new food
Day 7: 100% new food
If you have any questions or doubts about switching your pet from their current pet food to a new pet food variety, ask the vet to recommend the best pet food for your pet.
Conclusion
There are so many varieties of pet food on the shelves, which means two things: pet food has become more tailored to suit individual feeding needs; and pet parents need to be more discerning when choosing the right food for their pets. If you need any help with this, speak to the vet and follow their recommendation for the best pet food for your pets.