What pet food is best for your pet?

Like us, our furry friends’ dietary needs change over time. Young pets need pet food that supports their development while senior diets should focus more on digestive comfort and mobility. Getting it right at each stage of life plays a huge role in promoting their long-term health.

At a glance: What pet food is best for your pet?

• Young puppies and kittens: Introduce your chosen brand of pet food slowly, by mixing it with the food they were given at their birth home.
• Adult cats: Switch to adult pet food at 12 months.
• Adult dogs: Move to adult pet food for toy dogs around 10 months. For larger dogs, you can give adult pet food at around two years.
• Older pets: Look for pet food with added nutrients and vitamins to promote joint health and the needs of aging animals.

What should you feed puppies and kittens?

Quick answer: Young pets need nutrient-rich puppy- and kitten-specific food, which is designed to fuel this rapid growth phase with higher kilojoule content, extra protein, and essential nutrients for their developing bones, brains and immune systems.

Step one is introducing your new puppy or kitten to your chosen brand of food. RSPCA Australia’s senior scientific officer (companion animals) Dr Sarah Zito says this should be done as a gradual transition to help avoid issues like gastrointestinal upsets. “For example, you could start with a ratio of 25 per cent new food and 75 per cent ‘old’ [food given at breeder or shelter] for the first couple of days, increase to 50:50 for the next few, then 75:25 and so forth until they’re eating 100 per cent of their new food,” she explains. Follow the same gradual transition guide whenever you change their diet.

Is it OK to feed my pet treats and bones?

Quick answer: Treats are a useful training tool, while Dr Zito says bones should only be offered occasionally. “Bones can provide dogs with nutrients and mental stimulation, and remove tartar from their teeth, but they can break teeth, cause internal blockages and carry bacteria that can make both animals and humans ill,” she warns. Treats and bones should be no more than 10 per cent of your pet’s diet.

When should I start feeding my cat or dog adult pet food?

Once your puppy or kitten has reached maturity, it’s time to switch to an adult food, here are some guidelines on when to make the switch.

• Cats: around 12 months.
• Dogs: will vary with breed, ranging from nine or 10 months for toy dogs, and up to two years for giant breeds. Adult food is lower in kilojoules than the energy-dense puppy food, while providing balanced nutrition that maintains lean muscle, supports energy and keeps them healthy day to day.

How does a dog’s breed affect their pet food needs?

Quick answer: Breed does influence a pet’s nutritional needs.

Helen Warnes of Purina Australia says dog’s pet food needs can vary widely. “Cats are fairly similar in size, but dogs vary widely and often benefit from tailored diets,” she says. “Large and giant breeds, like German shepherds or Great Danes, grow faster and for longer, so they need controlled nutrition that supports steady development and protects growing bones and joints. Smaller breeds, like Jack Russell or Australian terriers, have faster metabolisms and may need more kilojoule-dense food to maintain their energy.”

Breed and size give you a good place to start, but continue to monitor your pet’s health to make sure they’re getting the right food portions. Every pet is different, so Helen suggests focusing on body condition rather than weight alone. “Feel your pet’s ribs with a light sweep of your hands – if they’re hard to feel, reduce food; if very visible, increase it,” she says.

When should I switch to senior pet food?

Quick answer: From around five to seven years (depending on breed).

This is when pets experience metabolic changes. Seniors may gain weight more easily or, in older cats, lose weight. Diets with adjusted kilojoules, high-quality protein and digestive support can help maintain comfort and mobility. Some other things to consider when choosing senior pet food:

• Joint issues These are common in aged pets, so senior pet foods often contain nutrients like glucosamine, omega-3 and 6 to promote joint health, as well as targeted vitamins for brain, eye and immune system health.
• Arthritis For older dogs suffering from arthritis, consider serving food and water in a raised bowl, which is easier to reach.
• Fussy eating Fussiness may be due to their senses being impaired by age. If your pet has solely been having dry food, you might want to introduce some wet food in their later years. “Many owners combine the two – dry for everyday nutrition, and wet for hydration support or variety,” says Helen. “Some older pets can become fussier eaters for a range of reasons, and the stronger aroma of wet food can help encourage appetite.” Another tempting trick is to bring food to room temperature, or even warm it slightly in the microwave – not too hot!

Is it OK to feed my pet a home-cooked diet?

Quick answer: It’s best to speak to your vet about this. “A home-cooked diet would need to be formulated by a veterinary nutritionist to make sure it is complete and balanced,” says Dr Zito.

RSPCA Australia says a cat or dog’s diet should be a high quality, balanced commercial pet food appropriate for their species, life stage and health status. Some dog breeds are more susceptible to digestive conditions like bloat (Gastric Dilation and Volvulus or GDV) which can be fatal. To help lower their risk, adult dogs should be fed at least twice a day and never exercised immediately before or after eating. This applies particularly to large or deep-chested dog breeds such as labradors, boxers and German shepherds, says Dr Zito.

Keep in mind…

Seek professional advice from your vet before feeding human food to pets.

Keen for more advice on keeping your furry friend happy?

Check out our tips for welcoming a new pet into your home.

Photo credit: Adobe Stock.

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