Everything you need to know about feeding your pets right — from daily portions to life-stage nutrition to toxic foods to avoid.
Can dogs or cats eat that food? Get safety ratings and portion guidance for common foods.
20+ articles covering fruits, vegetables, meats, and common household foods.
Dog food safety →15+ guides on cat-specific food safety — tuna, milk, chocolate, and more.
Cat food safety →Evidence-based answers to the questions pet owners ask most about feeding.
Daily protein requirements by life stage, breed size, and activity level — with real numbers.
Read article →A balanced look at pros, cons, safety concerns, and costs of each feeding approach.
Read article →The complete list of foods that can harm or kill dogs and cats — keep this handy.
Read article →Daily water targets for dogs and cats, signs of dehydration, and how to get picky drinkers to hydrate.
Read article →What the research (including the FDA/DCM investigation) actually says about grain-free diets.
Read article →Proper nutrition is the foundation of your pet's health. Dogs and cats have very different nutritional needs — while dogs are flexible omnivores that can tolerate a wide range of foods, cats are obligate carnivores that require animal protein to survive. Getting nutrition right affects every aspect of your pet's life: energy, coat quality, immune function, joint health, and longevity.
Puppies and kittens need calorie-dense, protein-rich food that supports rapid growth. Adults need maintenance-level nutrition that prevents weight gain. Senior pets benefit from reduced calories, joint support, and sometimes kidney-friendly formulations. Choose foods labeled appropriately for your pet's life stage — "all life stages" foods work but are typically calibrated for growing animals and can cause obesity in adults.
The first ingredient should be a named meat (chicken, beef, salmon) rather than a generic "meat meal" or "by-products." AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) statements indicate whether a food is nutritionally complete for a specific life stage. Look for formulas tested through feeding trials rather than just formulated to meet minimum standards on paper.
More than half of pets in the United States are overweight or obese. Weight gain shortens lifespan by an average of 2 years and dramatically increases risks of diabetes, joint disease, heart problems, and cancer. Measure food portions — don't eyeball them — and adjust based on your pet's body condition score, not the bag's generic recommendations.
Treats should represent no more than 10 percent of daily calories. Many human foods are safe in moderation, but some are toxic: chocolate, grapes, onions, garlic, xylitol (artificial sweetener), and macadamia nuts are all serious risks. Our Can Dogs Eat and Can Cats Eat guides cover hundreds of foods in detail.
Never overlook hydration. Cats especially are prone to dehydration and kidney disease when they don't drink enough. Consider fountain water bowls, wet food additions, and multiple water stations throughout the home. Dogs need 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight daily, more during exercise or hot weather.
Sudden changes in appetite, unexplained weight loss or gain, food allergies, chronic digestive issues, or diagnosed conditions like diabetes or kidney disease all warrant veterinary guidance. A board-certified veterinary nutritionist can formulate custom diets for pets with complex needs.