New Pet Owner’s Guide: Pet Nutrition 101
You’ve brought your first pet home!
Congratulations!
You’re about to have one of the most fulfilling relationships of your life. Studies show that having a pet can help reduce depression, promote better sleep, and encourage more exercise – all of which ultimately translates into a longer lifespan.
Don’t just take my word for it. A study conducted by Uppsala University in Sweden and published in Scientific Reports found that people who had a dog were less likely to die from cardiovascular disease or any other cause during the study’s 12-year duration.
The study subjects were 3.4 million of the country’s residents, aged 40-80 years (mean age of 57).
However, having a pet is a commitment that you shouldn’t take lightly. To keep your little friend happy and healthy, you will have to spend on veterinary care, pet food, and accessories that make your pet’s life comfortable.
Just like humans, pet’s have a Maslow’s hierarchy of needs that you, as their new parent, will have to attend to.
Food is one of the basic needs that you must pay attention to.
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about your new pet’s nutrition and feeding needs.
Buy Sturdy Feeding and Watering Bowls

You might start by feeding your pet off of whatever bowl you have available, but in the long run, having specially designed feeding and watering bowls is ideal.
When shopping for bowls, you can’t go wrong with stainless steel. They are easy to clean and durable.
Ceramic bowls are also a great option, especially for dogs. They’re heavy and stable, which means your dog won’t push the bowl around while eating.
What about plastic?
Well, plastic bowls are probably the cheapest but they’re less durable. Plastic may also absorb flavours, which can cause some picky pets to refuse their food.
Additionally, some cats and dogs are allergic to plastic and may develop an acne-like reaction on their chins/faces.
Dogs and cats might also chew and scratch plastic bowls, leaving places for bacteria to build up. For these reasons, it is best to avoid plastic feeding and watering bowls.
If your new pet is a dog, consider getting bowls that come with an elevated stand. Experts believe that elevated bowls are more comfortable, especially for larger dogs, and might help in preventing gastrointestinal issues.
What about automatic feeders? Are they advisable?
Automatic feeders come in handy when you have to leave your pet alone for extended periods.
However, if the feeder is designed to fill up constantly, it might encourage free-feeding and lead to weight issues.
Fortunately, some automatic feeders are designed to only fill up with food at pre-set times.
Get the Right Food For Your Pet

It might be tempting and economical to feed your pet whatever you make for yourself, but that is probably not nutritionally appropriate in the long run.
Remember, you must ensure that your pet is fed according to their unique nutritional needs. For this reason, it is better to prepare specialized meals for your pet or buy specially formulated pet foods.
A healthy and balanced diet is important for a healthy, happy pet. Not only will it give your pet the energy they need for everyday activities, but it is also important for ensuring their long term mental and physical health.
It is important to keep in mind that most pets require different nutrition at different stages of their life.
For instance, puppies will require around 3 meals a day from age 12 weeks to 6 months. From 6 months onwards, you should probably reduce the number of feedings to avoid weight problems.
But that said, each animal may have its preferences. Some animals might like small frequent meals while others are happy with large and less frequent meals. The key to feeding your pet properly is doing what works best for them.
Extra Tip: It is a good idea to find out the kind of diet your pet was used to before bringing them home. Feeding them the same food for a while might help make the transition a little easier on your new buddy. You can make gradual changes to their diet over a couple of weeks.
Here’s a brief guide on feeding different types of pets:
The Right Food for Dogs

Although many people assume that dogs are carnivores, they’re, in fact, omnivores. This means that they derive their nutrition from both plant and animal sources.
Commercial dog food is designed to meet all of a dog’s nutritional needs. Most dog food products have meat, grains, vegetables, fruit, and vitamins.
That said, when buying dog food, ensure that meat is the first listed ingredient. If the brand lists wheat, corn, or bone meal first, the product isn’t as high-quality.
Dogs teeth primarily consist of canines for shredding meat, not grinding grains.
Try as much as possible to stick to one brand and type of dog food to avoid stomach upsets. Introduce new brands or food types, do so gradually to give the dog’s digestive system time to adjust.
Note that puppy foods are different from adult dog foods. Additionally, different dog breeds have different requirements. Read up on your pooch’s specific needs or consult your vet.
Can I feed my dog regular human food?
There’s nothing inherently wrong with feeding your dog regular human food. As long as your human food is varied and targeting every single healthy food group, it can be nutritious for your pooch.
However, some human foods can be unhealthy and poisonous to dogs. They include chocolate, onions, garlic, coffee & tea, lemons and limes, avocados, processed foods, and artificial sugars.
Extra Tip: Don’t feed the dog from your plate to avoid begging while you enjoy your food.
The Right Food for Cats

Cats are obligate or “true” carnivores. This means that their gastrointestinal tracts are adopted to digesting meat.
They’re unable to properly digest plant material and require essential nutrients that can only be found in meat.
Cooked chicken, turkey, fish or beef and small amounts of lean deli meat are all very good options. Raw or spoiled meat can make your cat sick…you don’t want that.
You can also meet your cat’s nutritional needs by feeding them high-quality age-appropriate commercial cat food. Again, your vet is the right person to consult when in doubt. They will assess your kitty and recommend how to best meet its nutritional needs.
Bear in mind that cats can be picky eaters. The odour of their food is particularly important. This is why it is best to opt for glass or ceramic bowls as they don’t absorb odour.
Additionally, cats like to be able to see their surroundings while eating. So don’t place their food bowl in a corner.
Extra Tip: Feeding your cat cooked bones is a no-no, especially if it’s a kitten. The bones might splinter and cause internal damage or obstruct the intestinal tract.
Just like with dogs, some human foods can be unhealthy or poisonous to cats. Here are some of them: chocolate, onions, raisin/sultanas, avocado, coffee, tea, bread dough, nuts, tomatoes, fruit seeds, mushrooms and milk.
The Right Foods For Other Kinds of Pets: Birds, Snakes, Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

Birds: The nutritional needs of birds are largely dependent on the breed. But common bird breeds thrive on seeds and pellets and some vitamin and mineral supplements. Some birds will also appreciate dark greens and fruits such as apples or bananas every other day.
Snakes: Snakes have very specific needs. Before bringing a pet snake home, carefully read up or consult your vet on what they can and cannot eat.
Rabbits: They need at least one bunny-sized bundle of hay every day. To this, add a handful of washed leafy greens or herbs such as kale, broccoli, lettuce, mint, or sage. Rabbits can also snack on carrots and apples occasionally. The rule of thumb here is variety to give your pet a good mix of nutrients. However, lawnmower shavings aren’t safe as they might contain poisonous weeds and chemical or other harmful objects.
Guinea Pigs: Although guinea pigs are rodents and rabbits are lagomorphs the vegetable and fruit needs of both animals are almost similar. However, guinea pigs require vitamin C in their diet as they can’t produce it in their bodies like rabbits do. If you opt for formulated food, buy what is specially designed for guinea pigs.
Don’t Forget to Water Your Pet
Providing your pet with clean, fresh (and sometimes even running) water is just as important as providing them with food, if not more so. After all, just like humans, animals are made up of 80% water!
Cats are especially finicky when it comes to water. The longer it sits in a bowl or the dirtier it is, the less likely they’re to drink it.
Give your pets the same water quality you would like for yourself. Dirty, unfiltered water may contain parasites and chemicals that can pose health risks for your pet.
Don’t Forget to Water Your Pet
Providing your pet with clean, fresh (and sometimes even running) water is just as important as providing them with food, if not more so. After all, just like humans, animals are made up of 80% water!
Cats are especially finicky when it comes to water. The longer it sits in a bowl or the dirtier it is, the less likely they’re to drink it.
Give your pets the same water quality you would like for yourself. Dirty, unfiltered water may contain parasites and chemicals that can pose health risks for your pet.
Consult the Noble Veterinary Surgeons

To get an even better idea of your pet’s specific nutritional needs and how to meet them, always consult a vet.
They will assess your pet and come up with a nutritional plan and feeding schedule that works for you both.
If you live in Nairobi and its environs, The Noble Vet is at your service! We have a highly experienced team of veterinarians offering the full range of small animal veterinary medicine.
We understand that your pet is an important part of your family and we strive to do the best for them.
Additionally, we offer comprehensive visits for puppies and kittens to not only assess their health but also to train pet parents on their lifelong care.
Contact our team today!