the scientific study of pet nutrition by veterinary nutrition specialists and experts.
Pet food costs are particularly relevant right now, when the costs of many consumer goods have increased rapidly in the last year, leaving many of us paying more for our food as well as that for our pets. The form of the food fed – dry, wet, fresh, or raw – can have dramatic effects on the cost of feeding. We compare the costs of feeding some popular diets of each type for a day and a year for a medium-large dog.
Read more
Growing puppies have very specific nutritional requirements that are different from those of adult dogs. Too much food can result in too fast growth, which can have lifelong consequences, especially for larger breed dogs. Using a growth chart can get (and keep) your pup’s growth on track.
Read more
Pet owners do not always have an accurate perception of the human risk of foodborne illness from raw meat diets. A recent study highlights the gap between pet owner’s perceptions of their risk and their food safety practices
Read more
While good nutrition is important for all dogs, it’s especially critical for growing puppies due to their special nutritional needs. Therefore, you’ll want to be sure you’re selecting best food for your new family member.
Follow this step-by-step guide to make sure you’re feeding the best possible food to your puppy.
Minerals in pet food can come from the main ingredients or be added as concentrated inorganic or chelated supplements. We review the differences in these sources so that pet owners can better understand the ingredients in their pet’s food.
Read more
There is no such thing as “AAFCO-approved” or “AAFCO-certified” pet foods!
Read more
A recent study compared nutrient levels in cat foods marketed for senior cats versus those marketed for adult cats – we discuss their findings and the implications for feeding older cats.
Read more
I often hear from pet owners, breeders, and even veterinarians about how they’ve selected a particular pet food based on the food’s guaranteed analysis. The “guaranteed analysis” is required information on all dog and cat food labels and sounds very official and scientific. While the guaranteed analysis does provide a tiny bit of information, in reality, it’s not very useful.
Read more
A low sodium diet can be an important modification for a pet with heart disease. However, many pet owners do not realize how much sodium is in commercial pet foods and common human foods fed to pets. Test your sodium savvy with our quiz!
Read more
Good quality pet foods can be found at many retailers, including grocery and mass market stores. Here are some tips for selecting a good food no matter what your price range or favorite store.
Read more