Pet Nutrition

Cat and dog owners soon realise the great variety of pet food available as soon as they first take ownership of their kitten or puppy. Kittens need greater help with their diet than puppis because cats are carniverous and so need to eat meat to get amino acids, proteins and viatmin A that cannot be found in vegetables. Dogs, on the other hand, are omniverous and so can survive with guidance on a vegetarian diet.

Puppy and kitten food, though different in its balance, is largely similar. Both give a developing animal calcium, phosphorus and other essential minerals needed in the first year. Owners of larger dogs need expert nutritional advice from a vet because they can grow very quickly - dogs such as Great Danes or Schnauzer puppies, in case they consume too many minerals at an early age. The same issue does not occur with kittens.

When a cat or dog is roughly a year old it can be moved onto adult pet food. Then, at around 6 or 7 years' old, it is a good idea to switch your pet onto 'senior' food. This is lower in calories to counteract the fact that your cat or dog will be exercising less, and so may put on weight. Senior food also has increased fibre content to aid your pet's digestive system and fibre is also reduced. The major difference between cat and dog senior food is the level of protein, which is always kept higher for cats.

Pet nutritionist have also developed food that is designed to aid some illnesses and conditions that can develop in older age - these are often best obtained from your vet and are not generally available in the supermarkets. These foods can help prevent the onset of conditions such as arthritis and hip problems - especially prevalent in some older dogs.

Treats can play a crucial role in a cat or dog's diet. Treats should only comprise healthy biscuits and similar products and should not be leftovers from your meals or chocolate biscuits. These will over enhance the calorie intake and should be avoided if possible as they will only cause obesity in the long run.

Pet insurance can also play a crucial role in your pet's life as it is a vital way to keep your dog healthy as they get older by ensuring they receive good quality veterinary care whilst shielding you from high vets' bills. To get an instant pet insurance quote click here.


Pet Health Insurance aims to give you as much information as possible about pet insurance and why you should have it for your pet. We have gathered together links to many of the top online pet insurers but we do not provide or endorse any particular product or make recommendations in any way. Please ensure that the pet insurance product that you purchase from any online provider meets your needs and that the provider is correctly regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).