Choosing the correct foods to eat helps to determine our energy level, weight, and overall health. Well – it’s the same way for our furry family members!

Ready access to clean water, and a correctly chosen diet, go a long way to keeping our pets happy and healthy. Here’s some recommendations from your team at Berwick Animal Clinic!

First things first – how old is your dog or cat? Puppy or kitten, adult, or senior? Nutritional needs will vary quite a bit depending on their life stage. We strongly recommend discussing dietary requirements with your veterinarian when getting the new pets’ initial exam, at follow up visits, and then (at the minimum) at their annual wellness visit.

Puppies and kittens are champions at turning good foods into energy and growth! We’re looking for diets that are specially formulated for that rapid growth and development. These products will be clearly labeled as being specifically for puppies and kittens – you may find them further broken down into two different age brackets such as “pups 0 to 4 months old” and “pups 5 to 12 months old”.

Dietary needs change as your pet reaches adulthood – typically at about a year old. Again, you’re going to find specially formulated for different adult age groups – adult, mature, and senior. Just like us, they’re going to need a balanced diet adapted to their age group to maintain their energy levels, health, and weight. Senior dogs typically benefit from lower calorie diets, with perhaps more easily digestible ingredients, and supplements for joint health. For all groups, you’ll find a portions guide on the bag of food you buy – use this as a guideline to start but monitor both the weight and energy level of your pet and adjust accordingly. Again – this is a good place to partner with your vet to ensure you are providing the correct diet portions.

Your vet may indicate that, due to either allergies or health concerns, special diets adapted to help control, minimize, or eliminate that issue or concern are available and recommended. Allow them to help guide you to what will be best for your pets’ particular concern.
Three things to remember:

Read the label to ensure the diet is correct for your pet.

Consult your veterinarian – they’re your best source for professional and knowledgeable guidelines.

Observe your pet – shiny coat, healthy weight, good energy level are desired outcomes of a good diet.

That’s a lot to take in, but it’s worth it. We all want our pets to have a long and healthy life, and proper diet plays a big factor in their quality of life!