Does your pet manage to become extra cute around dinnertime? If so, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise. Our animal companions tend to be pretty enthusiastic about food, and who can blame them? We love snacks, too! While your furry friend may be more than happy to chow down anything you provide for them, it’s important to provide a healthy menu. Read on as a local Fayetteville, NC veterinarian delves into pet nutrition.

How Many Calories Should My Pet Eat?

This depends on not just your pet’s size, but also their age and activity levels. A Pug that is a couch potato will have quite different needs than an active Labrador puppy, and a senior Chihuahua won’t need the same food as an active Border Collie. 

That said, we can offer a few very loose rules of thumb. If you have an average-sized kitty, of about ten pounds, Fluffy will need to eat around 200 calories a day.  There’s a lot more variation with dogs, but if you have a 50 pound dog, your pet will need between 700 and 900 calories. A larger dog may need to eat quite a bit more than that, though.

What Should I Not Feed My Pet?


Every one of our animal companions has their own list of safe and unsafe foods, and they are all a bit different. There are some things that are unsafe for nearly all pets, though.

That list includes the following:

  • Garlic, Onions, Scallions, and Chives
  • Meat On The Bone
  • Xylitol (Birch Sugar)
  • Raw Dough Or Yeast
  • Chocolate
  • Caffeine
  • Alcohol

Grapes, currants, and raisins are also toxic to many animals. In fact, with dogs, eating just one can lead to kidney failure. Macadamia nuts are also poisonous to many animals. And, as a general rule of thumb, you would want to avoid giving your pet anything that contains a lot of salt, sugar, or fat.

How Do I Choose A Good Pet Food? 

Picking the right food can get complicated. There’s no shortage of products to pick from, and every company tries to make their brand look the best. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Read Labels: This is the most important thing. Pet food labels must list ingredients by order of percentage. That means the first thing on the label has the largest proportion of all listed ingredients. The second has the second largest, and so on. For dogs and cats, meat, fish, or poultry should appear first and most often. 

Make Changes Slowly: Any time you change a pet’s diet, it’s important to do so slowly, over the course of several days. Otherwise, your furry friend could get an upset stomach.

Get The Right Size: If you’re feeding your pet kibble, you might save yourself some money by purchasing in bulk. This can be a double-edged sword, though: if you get too big a bag, it may go bad before you can use it. 

Revisit This Topic Regularly: Your furry friend’s needs will change over time. Be sure to check back with your vet, and get a good timeline for changing from puppy or kitten to adult food and then, when it’s time, from adult to senior food.

Talk To Your Fayetteville, NC Vet: Your vet is always going to be the ultimate authority about your pet’s diet. Ask for specific advice, including information on serving sizes and feeding times. 

What Is The 25% Rule In Pet Food?

The 25% rule dictates that if an ingredient is named on the label, that ingredient needs to make up at least ten percent of the product’s overall composition, going by weight. (Water shouldn’t be included here.

Should I Make My Pet’s Food?

You can, but be very careful. Many of the recipes you may find online do not actually offer the proper nutrition that your pet needs. In order for your furry buddy to be getting good nutrition, their diet will need to be formulated to meet their specific needs. If you do want to try cooking for your pet, talk to your vet and get some very specific information. 

How Do I Choose Good Pet Food?

Look for a brand that has the official Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) seal of approval. The AAFCO and FDA require pet food manufacturers to disclose specific information on the label. 

That includes the following: 

  • The Full Product Name
  • Net Quantity Statement
  • Manufacturer’s Name and Address
  • Ingredient List
  • Guaranteed Analysis (i.e., or nutrient content)
  • Nutritional Adequacy Statement
  • Feeding Directions
  • Type of pet that the food is intended for (e.g., Cat, Dog)

Of course, your Fayetteville, NC veterinarians can also offer you helpful advice about choosing the right brand for your furry friend. 

Should I Give My Pet Vitamins?

Data from a 2020 survey shows that about a third—30 percent, to be exact—of pet owners give their animal companions vitamins or supplements. Most vitamins are safe, but check with your vet to be sure.

What Supplements Could My Pet Benefit From?

Your vet may recommend giving your furry buddy supplements. For instance, if your older dog is developing arthritis, he may benefit from glucosamine or fish oil. Supplements are not one size fits all, so you would want to get a specific recommendation. It’s also important to understand that even the best supplement cannot make up for a poor diet.

That said, here are a few of the most common supplements:

Glucosamine: Often given to pups with arthritis or hip dysplasia, glucosamine is technically an amino sugar. It helps build cartilage, which can keep your pet’s bones from rubbing together. One trial revealed that pets did have better mobility and less pain after 70 days.

Fish Oil: Fish oil is another very popular supplement. As you may know, it contains Omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for skin and fur. Research also indicates that fish oil may be beneficial for pets with certain conditions, such as the following:

  • Arthritis
  • Inflammation
  • Heart Health
  • Joint Health

Antioxidants: As with people, antioxidants go after free radicals, which cause cell damage. Several vitamins and minerals contain antioxidants, so you may see a variety of ingredients on an antioxidant label. 

Some common antioxidants include 

  • Astaxanthin
  • Green Tea
  • Eggshell Membrane
  • Colostrum
  • Green-Lipped Mussels
  • Coenzyme Q10 
  • Vitamin C

Pick something that is right for your pet. Vitamin B is often given to pets with digestive problems, while Vitamin A may be used to help pets with skin problems. Vitamin E can help with inflammation, and Vitamin D: May be given to pets with kidney problems. 

Ask your Fayetteville, NC vet for specific recommendations. 

What Are Tips For Giving My Pet Supplements? 

Giving Fido and Fluffy their supplements isn’t hard, at least from a physical standpoint, but there are things to keep in mind.

  • Never give your canine buddy any supplements without consulting your vet first. This goes triple for those whose pets must take medication, as some supplements could potentially counteract with certain drugs. 
  • Always get your pet’s supplements from a well-respected brand. Ideally, the supplement should have gone through some studies. 
  • Don’t assume that just because something is natural or marked as herbal that it’s safe. Natural ingredients can still interact with medications. 
  • When introducing something new, keep a close eye out for signs of complications or allergic reactions. 

As always, be sure to reach out to your vets for specific advice.

Make An Appointment At Our Fayetteville, NC Pet Hospital

 

Do you have questions about your pet’s nutritional needs? Please feel free to contact us at any time. As your pet hospital, we are dedicated to offering great care.