How to Feed Your Pet Right: The Basics Nobody Explains

Nutrition is the first pillar of health. Yet this is where you'll find the most myths, deceptive marketing and bad advice. Here are the solid basics, validated by veterinary nutritionists, for each major group of pets.

The universal rule: species defines everything

Before any choice, remember: an animal eats based on its biological needs, not your wishes. Giving cheese to a rabbit or cereals to a cat is a major biological mistake.

The dog: opportunistic omnivore

The dog tolerates many foods but stays mostly carnivorous. A balanced meal contains: - 50-70 % quality animal protein - 10-20 % fats - 20-30 % carbs (rice, sweet potato) - Green vegetables (spinach, zucchini) as supplement

**Industrial kibble**: convenient, safe, but pick brands whose first ingredient is a named meat ("dehydrated chicken"), not "animal by-products".

**Home-cooked**: more time-consuming, but offers full control. Build with a vet.

**BARF (raw)**: trendy but risky if poorly balanced. Avoid as a beginner.

The cat: strict carnivore

The cat digests neither cereals nor cow's milk. Its survival depends on taurine, an amino acid found only in meat. Deficiency causes blindness and heart failure.

Pick premium grain-free kibble with 35-45 % animal protein, supplemented with wet food for hydration. Ban: milk, onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes.

The rabbit: herbivore with a fragile gut

The rabbit must have unlimited quality hay (80 % of the diet), 10-15 % fresh greens (endive, carrot tops, basil) and 5 % pellets. No sugary fruit in excess, no bread, no yogurt.

A sudden dietary switch causes lethal digestive issues in 24-48 hours.

The guinea pig: vital vitamin C need

The guinea pig doesn't synthesise vitamin C. Without daily intake (red pepper, parsley, citrus), it develops scurvy. Unlimited hay + a large handful of fresh veggies daily + vitamin-C-fortified pellets.

The parrot: varied and colourful

The parrot (and its cousins) need a mix: 40 % extruded pellets (not just seeds!), 40 % fresh veggies and fruit, 20 % grains and seeds. Seeds alone cause obesity and deficiencies.

The 5 foods to ban absolutely

For nearly all domestic animals: - Chocolate (toxic theobromine) - Onion, garlic, shallot (anemia) - Grapes and raisins (kidney failure in dogs) - Xylitol (sweetener - severe hypoglycemia) - Alcohol

Supplements: useful or marketing?

90 % of supplements sold in pet stores are unnecessary if the diet is balanced. Justified exceptions: omega 3 for sensitive skins, glucosamine for senior dogs, probiotics after antibiotics. Always ask the vet.

How to read a kibble label

Three golden rules: 1. The first line must name a specific meat ("chicken", not "by-products"). 2. Ash content should stay under 8 %. 3. Avoid colorants, chemical preservatives (BHA, BHT) and "flavour enhancers".

The diet transition

Changing brand or regimen takes 7-10 days minimum, gradually mixing old and new. A sudden switch causes diarrhea, vomiting and stress.

Conclusion

Food makes up 40 % of your pet budget but 80 % of its future health. Invest in quality, not marketing. And at the slightest doubt, consult a veterinary nutritionist: it's cheaper than long-term treatment.

To check if a specific food fits your pet, use the search engine on our home page: it covers hundreds of animal/food combinations.