Nutrition for dogs and cats can be a complicated subject. We get a lot of food-related questions from owners who want to provide the best for their pets. Here, we answer some of the ones we hear the most.
Are by-products bad for pets?
By-products are generally safe and nutritious. They’re full of essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.
By-products are secondary products that result from production of a primary product. By-products used in pet food aren’t flawed or nutritionally inferior just because they’re leftovers.
Animal-sourced by-products are often parts not used for human consumption due to aesthetic standards or because they’re parts humans don’t typically eat. These include organs, blood, cleaned intestines, etc.
Cats can only obtain taurine, a necessary nutrient, through diet. It’s found in animal organ meats, which are by-products. Pet foods that are free of by-products contain synthetic taurine and are often more expensive than foods with by-products.
What about fillers?
Fillers are additions that make foods complete. They’re important for nutritional balance and appropriate calorie density.
Many fillers are sources of beneficial carbohydrates and fiber that can help pets’ digestion. These include ingredients like dried beet pulp, dried chicory root, fructooligosaccharide, powdered cellulose, inulin rice bran, tomato pomace, soy hulls, and pea fiber. In wet food, filler is water, which is beneficial to the urinary tract.
Are the most expensive pet foods the best foods?
There are several reasons for differences in pet food prices.
More expensive foods may use premium meats, such as duck or bison. They may use premium cuts, such as whole chicken breasts, versus meat by-products. Using synthetic nutrients instead of by-products, producing grain-free foods, producing small batches, and using traceable ingredients can also affect price. Some cheaper foods may use artificial additives such as dyes or flavorings to make foods more appealing. These differences don’t mean less expensive foods aren’t nutritionally balanced foods.
Complete and balanced nutrition is more important than price.
Research brands, choose reputable ones, and feed pets the best food you can afford. Read labels. Look for statements that foods comply with guidelines set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), the national organization that sets pet food safety standards.
If affording pet food is difficult, talk to your veterinarian who can recommend the best food for your pet that fits within your budget.
Can dogs have bones?
Bones (all types) can harm dogs in various ways. We often see broken teeth—which are painful, expensive, and can lead to other oral health issues. Bones can cause choking or become lodged behind teeth or in the intestinal tract. They can splinter and pierce the tongue, cheek, roof of mouth, or intestines when swallowed. Pathogens from raw bones can cause illness in dogs and humans.
Instead of bones, consider giving dogs chew treats approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council.
Are raw diets safe?
Multiple health organizations have released official statements discouraging feeding pets raw food diets. The risk of severe illness to pets and humans is significant. Read our blog post about raw diets for more information.
Do life stage foods make a difference?
Life stage and breed size are important considerations when selecting pet food. Dogs and cats have different nutritional requirements during each stage of their lives.
Kittens and puppies require foods with higher calorie density and essential nutrients that support healthy growth. Large breed puppies require specific nutrient formulas that reduce the risk of developing musculoskeletal conditions.
Adult dogs and cats need foods that maintain healthy bodies and immune systems. Large breed dogs typically have lower metabolisms and require less calorie-dense foods than smaller breeds. Kibble size can also vary according to breed size.
Is wet food or dry food better?
Both wet food and dry food can provide balanced, complete nutrition. Which one you should feed your pet depends on preference and needs.
Wet food can benefit pets who don’t consume enough water, older pets with missing teeth, or picky eaters who prefer it. Dry food is usually less expensive than wet, has a longer shelf life once opened, and is easier to use in slow feeders and enrichment puzzles.
Many people choose to feed pets a combination of wet and dry. Getting cats and dogs accustomed to eating a combination of wet and dry can make transitioning to a specialized diet easier if it becomes necessary.
What’s the best way to switch to a new food?
Feeding pets a variety of foods or switching foods abruptly can cause gastrointestinal discomfort or pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and a refusal to eat. Cats are especially picky eaters and resistant to changes in diet.
Sometimes dietary changes are necessary. If you must switch foods, go slow.
Begin by replacing 25% of your pet’s usual food with new food during each meal for a few days. Watch for signs of discomfort or illness. If any occur, switch back to the usual food for a couple of days. Then use a smaller percentage of new food. Continue this pattern until you’ve fully transitioned to the new food.
Every pet is different, and it may take some much longer than others to switch foods.
How are prescription pet foods different than foods available on shelves?
Prescription foods treat specific illnesses and medical conditions. Commercially available foods are designed for wellness—to meet the needs of healthy pets.
Manufacturers formulate veterinary diets with specific ingredients in specific combinations and amounts. They must adhere to strict quality control standards and test foods extensively for safety and efficacy.
These foods require a prescription because they’re medicine meant to be given to pets under direction of a veterinarian.
If you have a question we haven’t addressed here or would like further information, email us at frontdesk@sandiaanimalclinic.com, or use this contact form. You can also call us at (505) 299-9533.
References
AAFCO. The Association of American Feed Control Officials – AAFCO. AAFCO. Published April 11, 2025. https://www.aafco.org/
Tanager Creative https://tanager.org. Pet Nutrition Alliance. https://petnutritionalliance.org/