How to choose the best dog and cat food

Both raw dog food and raw cat food can be made up of raw meat, offal, and raw bone, along with other ingredients such as fruit, vegetables, oils, nuts and seeds. 

Raw food, especially meat, contains bacteria, parasites and other pathogens that would normally be killed during the cooking process. So feeding raw food brings extra risks to your pet's health. 

There are two types of raw feeding; home-made raw diets and commercially prepared ones. The main concern with a home-made option is whether all the right nutrients are provided in the right proportions for healthy bodily function. 

Some manufacturers produce frozen and freeze-dried raw cat food and raw dog food with both 'complete' and 'complementary' varieties. These products help owners to feed their pets a raw diet responsibly. 

Professor Daniel Chan, professor of clinical nutrition at the Royal Veterinary College, warns that feeding a raw diet could lead to bacteria spreading around the home, which could have an impact on your health or others in your household. Owners are advised to thoroughly research raw feeding if it’s something they are considering, consult their vet and then review the options. 

There are a couple of quick checks you can do to see if your pet is overweight. You should be able to see and feel the outline of your dog's ribs without excess fat covering and you should be able to see and feel your cat's ribs, spine and hip bone. 

Both cat and dogs' waists should be clearly visible when viewed from above. Your dog's belly should be tucked up when viewed from the side and there should only be a small amount of belly fat on your cat.

‘Always check the packaging to see how much your pet should be eating for the weight they should be, not the weight they currently are,’ says Vicki Larkham-Jones, a vet with veterinary charity PDSA. 

'Weigh out the exact amount of food needed so you aren’t swayed by puppy-dog eyes as you prepare dinner.' If you’re giving your pet a treat, give them a bit less food to balance out their diet for the day. 

If you're worried, book your animal in for a medical checkup at the vet. Diet dog food and diet cat food from the vet are calorie-controlled and can be an effective way  for your pet to lose weight. 

Many vets run weight control clinics providing regular checkups. They are often free of charge and help to ensure that the diet is working and that weight loss isn't happening too quickly.

Experts we spoke to don't advise DIY homemade dog food or cat food. ‘It’s extremely difficult to put together a balanced home-made diet for your pet, and I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re under the direct supervision of a vet,’ says Gudrun Ravetz, junior vice president of the British Veterinary Association. 

‘Yes. It is essential that puppies and kittens are fed on puppy dog food and kitten cat food, as they have specific energy and nutrient requirements,’ says Gudrun Ravetz of the British Veterinary Association.

‘As they get older, different breeds of dog will age at different rates,’ she says. ‘For example, a Great Dane is likely to be “senior” before a Yorkshire terrier.’ 

Your vet will be able to advise on the best diet for your pet’s life stage – whether that's puppy, junior or senior dog food – breed and lifestyle, and tell you if your pet has any special dietary needs. 

Cats are carnivores, and a vegetarian diet is not recommended for them. 

This is the same with dogs, although, in theory, it’s easier to find and feed your dog a vegetarian diet that will still meet its needs,’ Gudrun Ravetz of the British Veterinary Association says. 

However, she warns that it can be difficult to do it well and, unless you work with a veterinary-trained nutritionist, there is a risk of harm to your pet’s health.

Wet pet foods are very popular and are generally very appetising to cats and dogs. However, they are more expensive as the recommended feeding amounts are generally higher. 

You can feed your animals wet food or dry food, or a mixture of both. 

Wet cat food is normally available in tins or pouches either with gravy or jelly. Owners who feed their pets wet food should also monitor their pet's teeth as wet foods tend to predispose them to dental disease. 

Wet dog food is much the same and its high moisture content will help keep your hound hydrated.

Dry foods are usually the most economical and easiest for you to feed and store. Dry cat food can be left out all day for your cat to nibble on and is beneficial for their teeth and gums. 

Dry dog food has a much lower water content, so it takes less to provide your dog with everything they need. The best dry dog food will be high in protein, low in carbohydrates and made with good-quality ingredients. The best dry cat food will include meat and fish, vegetables, cereals, vitamins and minerals.

In general, it’s better not to give your pet any variety, which could cause havoc with its digestion. The most suitable diet should be easily digested and produce dark brown, firm, formed stools.

Some pets appear to be sensitive or intolerant to certain ingredients and additives and this can cause a variety of problems. 

Common symptoms include, lethargy, aggressive or hyperactive behaviour, chronic skin and ear problems, slime and jelly being passed with the stools and flatulence,bloating and weight gain or loss. 

The most common food intolerances appear to be colourings, sugars, wheat, milk and soya. Obviously not all pets are sensitive to these things, but if the effects keep re-occurring, it’s best to consult your vet.

Always follow your dog food and cat food manufacturers' guidelines and, where possible, weigh out food using a set of electronic weighing scales. 

Remember, these are intended as a guide and you may need to adjust the amount you feed depending on a number of factors including age, size and level of activity.