diet and nutrition for dogs

What you feed your dog is important for their health.

Got questions about feeding puppies or grown up dogs? Our tips can help you make smart choices in the pet food aisle.

Food and diet tips for obese pets

Pet food nutrient guide

Find out what’s really in your dog or cat’s bowl. Nutrient guide

A woman holding a kitten stands next to a vet looking at bags of cat food

How to read pet food labels

Understanding ingredients, names, logos, and more. Find quality food

A fluffy cat being fed a treat from its owner

Food and diet tips for obese pets

Chunky cat? Pudgy pup? Check out these tips. Food and diet tips

A tabby and white cat standing on a scale

Manage your pet’s weight

Info on calories, exercise, treats, and more. Why weight is important

Managing diet for diabetes

We’ve got info on medication, food, and more. Manage your furball’s diet

A small dog and a cat eating food next to each other

A guide to pet food allergies

Ingredients and symptoms to look out for. Dog and cat allergies

A person squeezing a sliced orange with a small, scruffy dog watching in the background

Can dogs eat oranges?

Hint: They can! But here are some foods to avoid. Toxic food list

A small brown and white dog lying on the floor next to an opened chocolate bar

Poisonous things for pets

Avoid these! Plus, signs to call your vet. Keep these away

Common questions

Q:

Should I feed my dog wet food?

A:There are a lot of benefits of wet diets. If introducing a wet diet, it is important to gradually add it to the dog’s meals to avoid stomach upset. It would be best to speak to your vet about what they recommend in terms of wet or dry or a combination of both.

Q:

Do dogs get tired of the same food every day? Should I switch it up?

Consistency of diet is important in dog nutrition. Changing foods often can cause stomach upset. If your dog stops eating their regular food, bring them to your vet as there are serious medical conditions that could change their appetite.

Q:

Should I add egg to my dog’s diet?

A:Because commercially prepared dog foods are designed to be nutritionally balanced, there should be no need to add more food items to your dog’s diet. Supplementing with egg can disrupt the balance of their food, and undercooked or raw egg can be dangerous with potential bacterial concerns.

Q:

Should my dog be on a grain free diet?

In the last few years, there has been growing popularity of grain free diets. With the science available now, there is no benefit for feeding a healthy dog a grain-free diet. In fact, they can be harmful. There have been some reports of cardiac conditions related to exclusive grain free nutrition.

Discuss with your vet the best diet for your dog and if there are any specific ingredients they would recommend avoiding based on your dog’s health.

Q:

What makes a healthy dog diet?

Quality dog foods have a scientifically balanced ratio of ingredients that deliver key nutrients like protein, vitamins and minerals, critical carbohydrates, and more. The healthy choice for your dog is a food formulated to meet their nutritional needs, that they will happily eat, and that doesn’t cause digestive upset. Ask your vet for recommendations.

Q:

How many nutrients do dogs need?

Dogs of different sizes and life stages have unique needs, but the seven basic nutrients they should get are critical carbohydrates, dietary fiber, fats, protein, vitamins, minerals, and water. Talk to your vet to see what kind of diet they suggest for your special pup.

Illustration of a smartphone with chat bubbles

Worried about your pet? Ping Pet Chat^™!

Whether it's 3 a.m. or 3 p.m., connect with a real veterinary professional for immediate petcare advice. It's included in all Optimum Wellness Plans^®!

More about dog health