UNDERSTANDING PET FOOD

Dietary antioxidants support pet health and help preserve the nutritional quality of pet food. Learn more about the important ways that antioxidants contribute to better, longer lives for pets.

Dietary carbohydrates in pet food help meet the pet’s physiological need for glucose. However, due to the ancestral origins of dogs and cats, some owners may question whether carbohydrates should be a part of their pets’ diet.

Pets obtain essential fatty acids from their diet. What are these fatty acids, and how do they support pet health?

Fat is an important nutrient for pets. What is its function, and are there differences in the fat requirements of pets and people?

High fiber diets are often recommended for people to support a healthy digestion. What is the role of fiber in pet foods?

Minerals are one of six nutrient groups in pet food that dogs and cats need for optimal health. Learn more about the minerals that contribute to healthy body function.

Cats need to obtain adequate taurine from food, which makes this amino acid an essential one.

Vegetarians may choose a meat free diet for many reasons including concerns for health, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability. For similar reasons, some pet owners may wonder if a vegetarian diet is an acceptable option for their pet.

Homemade diets are perceived as healthier to some pet owners, but despite their draw, they may not be complete and balanced for healthy pets.