Navigate Pet Food Shopping with Daventry Vets
July 7, 2024
You’re not alone when it comes to having trouble choosing the best pet food for your dog or cat. With 10.5 million tonnes of pet food products sold annually across Europe and a 5.1% annual growth rate for this industry*, it’s no wonder you can feel flummoxed!
Our veterinary team at Daventry Vets have crafted a simple guide to help pet owners in Northamptonshire navigate the process of pet food shopping.
As vets, we’re often asked about the vast array of pet food choices on the market. From kitten kibble, home cooked, raw, fresh cooked commercial, senior support, the options can be overwhelming. Yet, there’s a straightforward explanation for this diversity: a pet’s nutritional requirements evolve throughout their lifespan. Let’s delve into why life stage matters in pet food, decipher what “complete pet food” means, and underscore the importance of consulting with a veterinary professional for maintaining your pet’s health.
Life stages of your pet
- Growth: Picture a lively puppy or kitten with endless energy and a hearty appetite, fuelling their adventures and growth. Puppy and kitten food is rich in protein, calcium, and essential nutrients to support their rapid development. There are scientifically calculated nutrient requirements for this lifestage.
- Adult: Once your pet reaches adulthood (around 1 year for cats and varying for dogs depending on breed), their growth rate slows down. Adult pet food provides the balanced nutrition they need to maintain a healthy weight, support their immune system, and keep them active.
- Golden Years: As pets age, their bodies change. Senior pet food often has lower calorie content to help prevent weight gain. Not all senior pets will need senior food especially if they are very active. Vet Sarah feeds her senior dog adult food as he is very active, fit and ideal body condition.
Our experienced team at Daventry Vets can advise you on all of this – book a tailored nutrition appointment now.
What does “complete pet food” mean?
You might see the term “complete pet food” on packaging. Our vets in Daventry advise that it signifies the food meets all your pet’s nutritional requirements for their life stage, as set by organisations like the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF). This means you don’t need to add any supplements unless specifically recommended by your vet.
We recommend choosing a brand that meets the FEDIAF requirements whatever type of food you choose to feed.
Why choose high quality pet food?
Think of pet food as the foundation of your pet’s health. High-quality complete pet food, formulated for their life stage, provides the essential building blocks for a long and healthy life. It can also support digestion, skin and coat health, and even cognitive function.
Want to feed a home prepared diet?
Some pet owners want to feed a home prepared diet. Studies have shown that without proper formulation these are usually deficient in various nutrients. If you want to feed a home prepared diet we recommend using a veterinary nutritionalist to formulate this for you.
Why consult your vet?
While complete pet food offers a balanced base, every pet is an individual. Book a tailored nutrition appointment with one of our vets, who will consider your pet’s age, breed, activity level, and any specific health concerns to recommend the best pet food for their unique needs. They can also help with tricky transitions between life stages and advise on portion control to maintain a healthy weight.
Cats especially need a well-thought-out transition between different foods, as some changes in diet can negatively affect their health.
Our veterinary team at Daventry Vets want pet owners in Northamptonshire to remember: When it comes to pet food, a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t exist. By understanding the importance of life stage nutrition, choosing good quality complete pet food, or properly formulated home prepared diets and consulting your vet, you’re giving your pet the nutritional foundation they need to thrive at every stage of their life. We don’t sell life stage diets so have no allegiance to any particular brand. We like you just want the best for your pet.
*Stats from www.europeanpetfood.org
