Ask the Vet - Choosing Pet Food

What is the best kind of food to feed my pet?

With all the different types of food available, deciding what to feed your pet can be confusing. Here are some tips:

• Stick with major brands of food, which are tried and true. Many smaller companies cannot compete with the quality and research that is put into diets made by companies that have been doing so for decades. There certainly is a place for the smaller, lesser-known brands. Just be careful.
• Commercially produced brands of food are complete. You do not need to add any supplements (vitamins, etc.) to these diets unless instructed by your veterinarian.
• The only difference between dry and canned food is the water content. It is okay to feed canned food, but dry food is good for the teeth. If you do not feed dry food, and even if you do, be sure to give your pet things to chew on to promote good dental health.
• In general, puppies and kittens should be fed puppy and kitten food until they are 6 months of age, then slowly weaned onto adult food. This will vary from breed to breed, so check with your breeder or veterinarian on what is best for your specific pet.
• As your pet gets older or develops certain medical conditions, it is important to discuss diet with your veterinarian. There are terrific diets available that help prolong the lives of pets if they develop certain problems (obesity, kidney disease, etc.). Dietary changes can make a significant difference in older pets.