Choosing the Right Diet for Your Pet: Types of Food and Feeding Schedules

1. Introduction 

It should go without saying that what you feed your pet greatly influences its overall health. If you’re feeling great, you’ll overall have a better quality of life, right? Your pet isn’t too different. Dealing with a pet with food allergies, sensitivities, or poor digestive health is no fun. So, to ensure you’re keeping your pet feeling and looking their best, you need to choose the right diet for them.

When choosing what to feed your pet, you need to look at the right type of food (kibble, canned, raw, freeze dried, etc.), the right ingredients, the right amount, and the right timing. In this two-part blog series, we’ll discuss the several types of food available and their pros and cons. For example, kibble is the most convenient and cost-effective, but you pay for that cost by feeding your pets a lot of "junk" like grain and low quality meat by-products. We’ll also share some frequently asked questions about pet nutrition and provide some feeding guidelines. In this article, we’ll look at the different types of food available and their pros and cons, so you can determine which one will best fit your pet’s health needs. Later we will also discuss cat feeding requirements and frequency.

1.1. Importance of a Balanced Diet

Diet is an important life aspect for pets. Pet food should be balanced while containing a certain proportion of nutrients necessary for the health of the pet. The pet's body requires essential nutrients for thyroid hormonal integrity, reproductive, epithelial, immune system, temperature regulation, calcium, and phosphorous needs. Without these essential nutrients, the pet's health will be compromised and have an adverse effect on the pet's ability to maintain overall health. If the pet is in an unbalanced nutritional state, it will suffer from malnutrition or other diseases. Nutritional status affects not only the pet's physical condition but also the pet's life. High levels of energy intake and excess animal protein will reduce the pet's life. Thus, for the long life of the pet, appropriate feeding programs and balanced nutrition should be provided. To this end, the need to provide a balanced diet based on the nutritional value of the diet is important.

Feeding pets implies that ethical and welfare considerations must be taken into account when developing the feeding program. Also, cognitive dysfunctions in cats were reported in old age, and the diet quality improved cognition. Some of the dietary limitations known in aging animals were avoidance of animal-origin protein. The importance of cognitive functions in the health of animals is gaining importance and difficult cognitive functions require an adequate diet to maintain the functional abilities of the animal in normal values. Cognitive function (dementia) is often associated with aging in older pets and humans. Whether or not dementia will develop is influenced by certain characteristics. These include taste and smell disturbances, chronic diseases such as diabetes and kidney disease, obesity, and high blood pressure. Also, as a result of insulin resistance due to overweight, it may develop.

2. Types of Pet Food

There are four basic categories of pet food: commercial pet food (wet, dry, fresh), raw diet, homemade diet, or a combination of these. The type of diet that is best for a pet is dependent on the pet’s age, breed, health problems, lifestyle, and the ability of the pet owner to provide a given diet. Many pets do well on a commercial pet food if it is nutritionally balanced.

Commercial pet food: Most dogs and cats thrive on kibble (dry food) whether or not they are given any wet food. However, if a pet refuses to eat dry kibble, it may be better to feed a pet canned, soft, or moist fresh food than no food. Disadvantages of a highly processed commercial diet include a 4-5 hour digestion time, increased risk for gingivitis, mealtime boredom, and a dry food diet makes an animal more prone to generate internal heat. The number one clinical health problem for cats is obesity and this can usually be prevented if a feline is fed on alternate "free-choice" canned and dry food diets. The average wild cat has evolved to eat about 12 to 20 small meals a day! It is also important to wean puppies and kittens onto a diet that is at least 70% highly absorbable dried foods.

Raw food diet: Raw diet is most suitable for dogs and usually consists of 50-80% raw muscle meat on the bone or fish mounted on bones.

Homemade food diet: Homemade diets often provide a body weight that is well within the ideal range. Some pet owners enjoy preparing special meals for their pets, especially when a baked "homemade" diet is fed.

2.1. Commercial Pet Food

The majority of pet food that is available in stores is what is termed complete and balanced. This means if your pet eats this food and this food only, he should have all the nutrients that he needs in the right ratio. Complete and balanced pet food comes in a lot of different forms: dry (kibble), semi-moist or canned (moist). Some pet owners will feed their pets raw food such as meat, bones, or other suitable foods. However, if you are going to feed raw foods, you must take precautions to prevent contamination of food with disease-causing bacteria such as salmonella.

The following is detailed information on different types of commercial pet food: Most inexpensive commercial food is complete and balanced. Generally, the protein in the soupy dog food has been treated in such a way so that it is not as digestible as other forms of protein. Canned food can be more palatable for a picky eater, as it contains more moisture, but usually is more expensive unless you have a Chihuahua. Always give your pet access to fresh, clean water. It is a good idea not to feed canned foods that contain chemical preservatives such as BHA, BHT, TVP, Ethoxyquin, and Propyl Gallate. A good quality dog or cat food should depend less on high quality meat, my cat and dog eat only meat, and fresh meat than other foods even if there are other ingredients that would help to balance the diet.

2.2. Raw Diet

The idea of feeding our pets raw food is appealing to many pet owners. Advocates of the raw diet for pets often recount anecdotal evidence of amazing benefits, such as glowing dry skin, freedom from fleas, and even decreased dental calculus. However, it is difficult to say that raw diets are better or worse than kibbled diets, mostly because the topic is so poorly studied. Proponents point to the naturalness of a raw diet, but in reality, raw diets tend to be more similar to the diets of wild scavenging dogs like the feral dog populations in developing countries. Ferals and street dogs must stay away from people in order to survive, so they eat things we would consider gross – refuse and dead things in various states of decay. They are unable to be choosy when it comes to food. They can't refuse fatty cuts of meat or crunchy bone because of some misguided belief that fat or bone is not ideal. The only thing that attachment to raw diets has going for it on the scientific front is that wild and feral canines are often healthier than their free-fed indoor, exclusively kibble-fed cousins.

Feeding raw bones is also associated with several conditions that necessitate emergency care – tooth fractures, broken and swallowed bones, and constipation due to the hardness or size of the bone. Furthermore, pets can also serve as vectors for pathogens that cause life-threatening illness in people, especially seniors and those with compromised immune function. It is absolutely essential to wash all surfaces, containers, and utensils that come into contact with raw meat and your pet's mouth. Many adults and young children are admitted to hospitals with bloody diarrhea resulting from shared licking of the face with a dog who is eating raw meat. Ultimately, pet owners should make a decision about feeding a raw diet based upon their individual lifestyle (for example, the ages and health of the human members of the family), budget, and risk tolerance. A raw diet is not for everyone. The purported health benefits of a raw diet are often grossly overstated, and the evidence supports neither the popular stance nor a nay-sayer's position. A good-quality balanced raw diet is certainly an option for an appropriate cat or dog (not being fed raw bones) and may be an ideal diet for some pets, birds, and exotic pets.

2.3. Homemade Diet

Making food from scratch for your pet, whether it’s cooked or raw, is another option for meeting your pet’s nutritional needs. Homemade diets offer flexibility because it allows owners to tailor meals to their pets' individual needs. This can be a good way to avoid food allergies and intolerances. Many pet owners have the best luck with a combination of canned food and homemade food for nutrition. However, meeting your pet’s nutritional needs is harder, and you can create a dangerous nutritional deficiency pretty easily if you aren’t careful.

When considering a homemade diet, whether cooked or raw, ask yourself if you have the time and the resources to make meals that are nutritionally complete and balanced. It’s crucial to have a balanced diet for our pets, not just throw something together with some of all the things. Also, remember that many nutrients and minerals do not survive in the long-term, whether raw or cooked, so you may need to offer supplementation. It’s a good idea to work with a nutritionist if you’re considering a homemade diet for your pet to be absolutely sure you’re meeting his or her needs.

Prep work is probably the most challenging part of feeding real food. Get ready to get friendly with the boiling pot or to put a lot of veggies through your food processor. To save time, you can also grind up or puree things like greens, beets, or peas to make them easier to digest and so that your pet gets more nutrients from them. Additionally, you have to focus on getting the right mix of foods in order to achieve balance. It’s worth noting that a homemade diet can cost you 3-10 times as much as a commercial diet.

3. Nutritional Needs of Different Pets

The nutritional needs for many pets differ between species, age, and reproductive status. Cats require high levels of protein in their diets as they are obligate carnivores, while the nutritional requirements for pet birds, which have evolved to eat an omnivorous diet, are the same as small mammals. Your pet’s diet is an important aspect of longevity and a healthy life. I am including here some advice on the dietary needs of common pets separated into categories: Dogs, Cats, Birds, and Small mammals.

Any food presented to a dog should be easy to eat. For example, foods need to be tender or canned, but should include some dry biscuits to maintain dental health and to give proper chewing exercise. Feeding your dog large amounts of table scraps, particularly fatty meats, and feeding irregular times or ad-lib feeding could lead to obesity.

Cats are true carnivores and require high levels of protein in their diet. Feeding your cat large amounts of table scraps, particularly fatty meats, and feeding ad-lib can lead to obesity. Wild cats in their natural habitat do eat the whole animal. The stomach contents of small prey animals that a wild cat would eat would contain small amounts, by weight, of sugars, fats, and minerals. Feeding a high proportion of chunky dog roll-style food can lead to dental problems in the long term. Hence, it is recommended to feed the bulk of the diet as a high-quality, commercially prepared dry food to provide the correct nutritional balance required, and to feed the dog roll or canned food as an added supplement but not as the main diet.

Birds specialize in seeds, vegetables, high-quality bird mixes (full of dried seed such as sunflower and other seeds), fruit, and water. Feeding a diet that consists of nothing more than seed and/or millet can be dangerous to birds.

3.1. Dogs

Whether a puppy or an adult dog, they should be fed the correct diet to maintain optimal growth and development. The correct ratio of protein, fat, carbohydrate, and bone is wise to keep in mind when feeding dogs. Feeding a diet that is deficient or toxic in some way will impact the youth of the animal; the end result is a less than healthy dog. What is optimal for one dog may not serve another. Factors that could interfere with finding the best possible diet are the breed, health or nutritional requirements.

Several of the essential nutrients required in a dog's diet include proteins, which are used in the body to perform very important functions. One typical function is to help build the basic framework for bones, organs, and muscle. Proteins are important for someone with a low activity rate because the energy provided by fat and carbohydrates isn't being used as fast as someone who is always active. Energy from proteins should only be utilized if the fat and carbohydrates have been expended.

Carbohydrates are essentially sugar and give energy to the animal. They are useful in many dog food products to provide the necessary vitamins and minerals that the dog needs. Physically fit dogs depend on the correct amount of carbohydrates to improve performance. Some dogs that have too much carbohydrates in their diet can become fat.

Fats are a tremendous source of energy. They're stored in the body's adipose tissue, which is in several parts of the animal's body. Very active dogs need fats to function daily. Certain vitamins (A, E, D, and K) are essential to keep the body functioning correctly. Vitamins serve as antioxidants that work against illness. Minerals help digest and absorb calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and carbonate. These serve to increase the quality of the immune system and the growth within the animals.

3.2. Cats

Cats' dietary classification is obligate carnivore, which means that it is obligatory to eat components of animal origin, and its amino acid and other needs are met only by them. Taking into account the nutritional habits of a cat living in nature, it can be stated that it is eating small mammals and birds. Cats that exterminate what they hunt mostly eat their sheaths, feathers, fur, and bones. The house cat has no need for such tissues. According to its dietary classification, another group of pets (facultative carnivores) are also a good source of amino acids, and cats also contain vegetable sources rich in taurine (cysteine and methionine) and arachidonic acid, which are included in the preferred fat content.

Folic acid and dietary manganese levels must also be present in pet foods. There are no folic acid stores in cats. Overdose of vitamin A, free calcium, and carbohydrates in foods cause side effects. Cats also do not have amylase and lactase enzymes. This situation shows that cats are not very suitable for carbohydrates. Cats, which cannot meet their fluid needs by drinking water, take the water they need from the prey. They are also able to concentrate urine well. Nowadays, towards the end of the life of village cats in our country, they feed on surplus or waste food after human beings due to urban transformation; in such cases, the transition from wet food to dry food must be done very slowly.

3.3. Birds

The daily nutritional requirement of essential nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, can be met if birds are fed diets appropriate to their species, life stage, and state of health. Birds are not involved in digestive tasks, nor do they feed on several meals per day like human beings. In the wild, birds spend many short intervals collecting food, so having continuous access to fresh and edible food represents the satisfaction of one of their natural needs. This is why feeding birds once a day may seem to meet their basic physiological needs, and also because their caloric requirements are not as high as those of hyperactive animals.

In general, it is believed that bird-keeping is not so widespread because of the intense social life of these animals. But in fact, diet is one of the main and fundamental problems that impede the diffusion of bird-keeping. Two things have to be borne in mind before providing birds with certain foods: most birds require calcium and vitamins that they cannot store. Hence, many conditions related to insufficient dietary complementation or protecting compounds occur. Many times, birds, particularly parrots, monotonously feed on sunflower seeds that are very rich in oils, which are thought to be good for their beauty and plumage, but can also cause fatty deposits.

3.4. Small Mammals

Small mammals – There are entire volumes dedicated to small mammals like rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas which can be read if desired. Some rules, however, apply to all small herbivorous mammals. Roughage such as hay should be unlimited. Long-strand fiber is vital for a properly functioning gut. Some commercial pellets can also be fed, but the owner should spend time doing research on the nutritional component of those pellets and how to feed them. Fresh leafy greens and vegetables should also be fed, but sugar content should be monitored.

Seed mixes are not recommended for small mammals as they are often too high in fats and carbohydrates, resulting in obesity. In general, small mammal diets should be generally lower in good quality protein than the ideal 20% crude protein seen in cats. They should be higher in fiber than standard commercial pet foods. Feeding small mammals a diet that is too low in fiber and too high in sugar and carbs can result in dental caries and being overweight. It is important to note, some small mammals, especially rabbits, can lose beneficial bacteria in the gut that ferment fiber if they are transitioned too quickly from a low fiber to high fiber diet. For animals with this issue, a slow transition of increasing dietary fiber over 10–14 days is recommended. Each individual small mammal could have species-specific considerations as well. Hamsters are omnivores and should have diets that also include high-quality proteins.

4. Feeding Schedules

Schedules & Portion Control Factory food diets have feeding guidelines. Your veterinarian may have recommended a feeding amount or a "daily calorie" amount to feed your pet. Always feed to the ideal weight of your pet. A cat should weigh between 8 to 10 pounds and a dog should be lean. If your pet needs to lose weight and once on its proper diet, always measure the amount of food that is fed during the day. An animal cannot precisely tell us that it is hungry like a person can, so many times an animal will always eat when more food is offered.

Feeding your pet one large meal a day is not the best way to feed, as many animals will "wolf" that meal down and it can contribute to vomiting and gastric dilatation in dogs (bloat). A general rule of thumb is to feed puppies 3 meals a day, adult dogs once or twice, and cats twice a day. Commercial diets are usually fed according to the age of the pet. There are adult diets, senior diets, and many wonderful puppy and kitten diets. Then there are the "all life stages". Sometimes feeding once a day in a dog, especially the larger breeds, may be okay. We can discuss this with your veterinarian about feeding a high-quality diet once a day that is split up over the course of 12 to 24 hours. You may be asked to try this and possibly changing the food to see if this may help your pet. Cats have to eat 2 times a day.

4.1. Frequency of Meals

A healthy choice of diet is crucially important for a pet’s wellbeing. A variety of factors can help you decide on the amount of food and meal plan that will keep your pet in good shape. Feeding schedules based on a pet’s age, size, and dietary requirements can greatly improve the cat’s or dog’s quality of life.

Frequency of meals: The choice of meal frequency depends on various factors such as the animal’s needs, the owner’s day-to-day routine, and the pet’s environment, such as whether the animal is active outdoors or only moves around inside the house. Feeding mainly depends on the animal’s needs, so the first and foremost thing is to decide neatly and correctly. A comprehensive guideline suitable for most pet owners is feeding an adult dog in two portions per day: breakfast in the morning and dinner in the evening, with a twelve-hour interval in between. Adult cats, on the other hand, prefer short, frequent meals such as five to seven small meals per day, mainly because they are natural grazers, eating little amounts regularly throughout the day, often including active mornings. This reflects the common practice of free-feeding adult cats that are offered a measuring cup of dry kibble each morning, which is designed to be an all-day supply of food with no set feeding times. Free-feeding cats have less risk of developing feline lower urinary tract disease as long as the dry food is a high-quality diet since there are many subpar products on the market.

Offering three to four meals spaced throughout the waking hours from breakfast to dinner can be an effective feeding method for kittens and growing puppies. They are animals with a small stomach but a very high metabolism, similar to a group of small dog breeds called toy breeds, smaller than 6 kg (Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, etc.). These small dogs tend to spend a smaller amount of energy compared to larger ones and prefer to eat in small amounts throughout the day, thus distributing the small portions is a better feeding schedule for them. For puppies or kittens, it is acceptable to adjust the recommended two meals daily to three or even four, just as baby human beings start with frequent feeding such as every three hours, then weaning them to two to three meals by easing them into a steady meal structure as they grow up, and also because young puppies and kittens packed with energy tend to digest food much more swiftly than adults. The high metabolism for growing puppies and kittens can’t sustain their energy level long enough throughout the day if only fed two meals.

Optimal feeding times: Switching to three, two, or as little as only two meals a day is a feeding routine based on preference and can be adjusted based on the individual dog’s or cat’s requirements. Regardless of the preferred number of meals, consistency is the key when it comes to feeding schedules. Understanding how important a consistent feeding schedule is, regardless of the number of meals, as regulating when your companion pet eats meals can increase familiarity and emotional security, making the living adjustment smooth and simple. Additionally, if there is more than one family member or caregiver in the house, there is less chance of someone forgetting whether the pet was already fed and over-feeding the pet. In addition to maintaining a caloric intake suitable for various stages, body condition evaluations should always be performed for animals at least every three months to monitor any weight gain or loss.

4.2. Portion Control

Unless an animal has a specific health need, the general goal is to maintain a weight that is normal for the breed or mix, age, and activity level of that animal. If an animal needs to lose weight, many veterinarians recommend not "rewarding" exercise with extra food (thought to offset much of the "burn" from exercising). Feeding one or more larger meals instead of many smaller meals throughout the day will encourage the dog to keep up a good rate of metabolism. If an animal is reluctant to eat the portion you feel he needs, offer a smaller portion every 12 hours instead of larger meals. As for portions, all too often various pet food companies give "suggestions" (usually limited to their own brand or type of diet) in percentages, e.g., kittens will need 50-100% daily portion of dinner nutritionally balanced meat-based food, 30% carbohydrates, 10% treats or "companions" (I recommend avoiding plant-based treats; if using treats, keep the treats balanced, and do not forget to adjust portion size accordingly), and 10% veggies and fruits. Note proper nutrition is best sought out one-on-one with someone specializing in integrated nutrition or someone using a similar approach when combined with Western veterinary medicine. When deciding portion sizes and working to help control weight you should:

1. Weigh food rather than yielding to the temptation to make a guess.

2. If both have the same ingredients, rely more on the information for adult portions versus percentages. Percentages are helpful for comparing brands and types, not for deciding amounts.

3. Take into account energy during training and game-play as part of daily intake.

5. Conclusion and Recommendations

In conclusion, the process of selecting the most suitable diet for an individual pet may seem complex, but doing so will ensure maximal health and wellness. By requiring the owners and veterinarians to approach this as a series of questions to be answered, this process can be more concrete. As such, knowing a pet’s signalment, activity level, and specific nutritional or medical concerns will guide the best choice of diet. Schedules and amounts will still rely on the owner’s monitoring of the pet’s body condition score. By focusing on the strategy of selecting the best diet to avoid preventable diseases and the best feeding schedule to reach an ideal body condition score, pets and their owners can enjoy many happy and healthy years together. With the different types of specialty diets and the specific nutrient, allergen, medical, and lifestyle concerns each pet may have, it can seem almost impossible for a pet owner to determine which is best for their pet. Yet, veterinarians can simplify this process into a series of questions and tools.

First and foremost, ensuring the pet’s daily caloric needs are met should lead the conversation with pet owners. Balance, freshness, and specific needs of each osteotheriatic pet can be a part of this larger conversation. There are some general guidelines, however, with some patients requiring specialized diets based on diseases, allergies, or lifestyle. Regardless of how this conversation is conducted in a veterinary clinic, it is an important message to convey at every preventive care visit. In most cases, 80 mg of nutrients per kilogram of body weight per day is the appropriate launch point for discussions with pet owners regarding the type and amount of cat or dog food that is appropriate for them. In general, 25 to 51 calories can be provided per kilogram of body weight.