All about pet diet and nutrition

 
bowl of kibble for a dog

How to feed your dog

Everything from nutrition to food allergies.

How to feed

Two kittens being fed a bowl of dry food

How to feed your cat

A quality meal for your kitten or adult pal.

How to feed

Puppy holding a bowl waiting for food

All about quality pet food

Follow these mealtime guidelines for your furball. Dog and cat food tips

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How to read pet food labels

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

Dog food being poured into a bowl

Pet food nutrient guide

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

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Food and diet for obese pets

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

Kitten being weighed 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

dog and kitten eating

A guide to pet food allergies

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

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Can dogs eat oranges?

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

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Poisonous things for pets

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

Common questions

 

A:No single ingredient should be labeled good or bad for your pet. It’s important that any exclusions of grains, meats, or specific nutritional contents be discussed with your veterinarian.
A:

The term organic refers to methods used to grow crops and raise livestock, and there are several guidelines set and supported by the USDA. However, there currently aren’t organic pet food standards or official oversight like there is for human consumption products.

Organic food also doesn’t necessarily have more nutrition than conventional foods, so when evaluating organic pet foods, the label should be checked to see if all or only some of the ingredients are labeled as organic.

A:Many pets eat a combination of wet and dry food.  It is important to maintain hygiene practices when feeding your pet wet food, as it does require washing dishes after every meal.  There are benefits to canned food like added water content and increased palatability.  However, wet food can cause some pets to have Gastrointestinal upset.

So, just like all food, speak to your vet before changing or adding new foods.
A:Quality healthy pet food has a scientifically balanced ratio of ingredients that deliver key nutrients like protein, vitamins and minerals, carbohydrates, and more. Nutrition is important in every pet’s diet because it literally sustains life.
A:These days, the options for pet food diets are nearly endless. The most common types are dry kibble or wet food. However, there are also raw diets, dehydrated diets, semi-moist diets, homecooked fresh diets, and more. Talk to your vet to find out what’s best for your furry pal.
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Say hello to the Banfield Shop

Our mission is to provide high-quality prescription meds for the pet you love. We believe in safe, effective petcare, so we thoroughly assess every item we carry. We offer discounts on eligible products with your pet’s Optimum Wellness Plan. And you can easily schedule deliveries with our super convenient AutoShip program.

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More about pet health

owner brushing dog

How to brush dog (and cat!) teeth

Yes, you can do it! See our step-by-step tips.

How to brush

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Why is my dog scratching their ear?

Sometimes a scratch is more than a little tickle.

Decode ear scratching

cat on floor

Symptoms of skin and coat problems

Does your pet have unusual skin issues?

Spot the symptoms

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