Emergency 02890 426587
Out of hours 02890 426587
Holywood Branch 02890 426587
Garden Lodge Veterinary Clinic, Stormont 02896207377
Garden Lodge Veterinary Clinic's home page
Emergency 02890 426587
Out of hours 02890 426587
Holywood Branch 02890 426587
Garden Lodge Veterinary Clinic, Stormont 02896207377

Nutrition

What makes a complete diet?

Nutrition

What makes a complete diet?

What is a complete diet?

A complete diet is a food made from carefully selected ingredients which, when fed on its own, will provide all the nutrients that your pet needs in a palatable, nutritionally balanced format. A biscuit diet is also helpful in combatting dental disease. Cats require 41 essential nutrients and dogs 37. Years of extensive and continuing research into nutrition enable pet food manufacturers to ensure that prepared pet food provides all the nutrients that pets need. Vets confirm nutritional disorders have decreased and it is accepted that pets live longer healthier lives. Prepared pet foods have played a key role in this.

Life Stages

0-12 months - Growth diet: Growing dogs and cats require a diet high in energy, which is easily digestible and, most importantly, balanced. Small dogs require a different diet to larger breeds.

Calcium levels in the diet are particularly important for growing animals, too much results in over calcification of bones which could lead to conditions such as joint abnormalities and arthritis in later life. Too little calcium and bones could become weak and painful and liable to fracture.

1-8 years - Maintenance diet: An adult dog requires an energy content in its diet suitable for its lifestyle. It should also be completely balanced to ensure healthy bones, teeth and coat.

8 years and beyond: Dogs and cats at 8 years are classed as geriatric (being 56 in human years). At this time the body is in decline and the diet requires modification to help deal with this. Older animals require a diet lower in protein as the kidneys, which deal with the toxic breakdown products, are finding it more and more difficult to filter out these toxins. Reducing the amount of toxins the kidneys have to deal with extends the life of your pet.Senior pets also require a diet lower in salt and phosphorus to reduce the stress on their hearts. High digestibility is essential for an older animal to absorb all the goodness it can from its food.

The easiest way to ensure your pet gets the correct diet for its lifestyle is to speak to your vet or vet nurse who will advise you.