Pet Nutrition & Feeding Guide
Why the Right Nutrition Matters
The right nutrition does plenty of work behind the scenes. A complete and balanced diet provides the essential nutrients your pet needs to support healthy growth, skin and coat, muscle condition, energy levels, a healthy weight and overall wellbeing. When their diet is out of balance, these areas – along with their behaviour – can be affected. Getting the foundations right helps your pet thrive at every life stage.
Can food affect your pet’s energy and behaviour?
The short answer is that nutrition can support wellbeing, but behaviour is influenced by the whole picture.
Good nutrition fuels every walk, pounce and nap, and it may also support your pet’s energy levels, brain health and overall wellbeing. And we’re not just talking about the “hangry” moments before dinner or the excitement of spotting a full food bowl.
Your pet needs a complete and balanced food appropriate suitable for their species, life stage and individual needs – and one they enjoy and tolerate well. How and when that food is served can also support predictable routines, enrichment and natural behaviours.
Food isn’t a magic solution to behaviour concerns. Health, environment, routine, previous experiences and individual temperament can all influence how a pet behaves. Nutrition works as part of that bigger picture, alongside suitable activity, enrichment, reward-based training and veterinary care when something doesn’t seem right.
What’s the best food for a shiny coat?
Healthy skin and a shiny coat that looks and feels its best starts with diet. The best food for your pet’s skin and coat health is a complete and balanced food suited to your pet’s species, life stage and individual needs, and is something they enjoy, tolerate well and that works for your routine and budget. Keep treats, toppers and supplements in balance with their overall diet, support them with a suitable grooming routine, and check in with your vet when something isn’t quite right.
How nutrition supports healthy muscle condition in dogs and cats
From chasing balls and climbing cat trees to simply getting up for breakfast, healthy muscles help pets move through life with strength and comfort. Helping them feel and function at their best starts with a complete and balanced diet suited to their species, life stage and individual needs that they tolerate well alongside regular, appropriate activity and veterinary care when something doesn’t seem right.
Choosing the Right Food
With so many options on the shelf, choosing your pet’s food can feel like a lot to chew over. There’s no single “best” food for every pet. Start with a complete and balanced diet suited to their species, life stage and individual health needs – then consider what they enjoy and what works for your routine.
How to read dog food labels
We know when it comes to your dog, only the best will do. But if you’re ever in doubt that the food you’re buying for your pet contains all the goodness they need to stay healthy, happy and full of energy, it’s worth checking the labels. Here’s a guide on how to read dog food labels so you can ensure you’re making the right choice for your dog.
Mixed feeding: the secret to making your pet’s dinner irresistible
Mealtimes are an important part of your pet’s daily routine, and yet they can get kind of boring. The same food day in day out, wouldn’t you get tired of that? Make mealtime more exciting by mixed feeding: mixing and matching different types of pet food to give your pet a memorable eating experience every night of the week.
What’s the best dog food? A guide to dog food formats
Dry, wet, fresh, raw, air-dried and freeze-dried dog food. Which format is the best for dogs?
No format takes the top spot by default. The best choice starts with a food that is complete and balanced for your dog’s life stage, suits their individual nutritional needs and is something they enjoy and tolerate well. Dry, wet, fresh, raw, air-dried and freeze-dried foods
Want to Learn More About Feeding Your Pet?
Dogs and cats don’t eat by the same rulebook. Explore our dedicated nutrition and feeding guides for practical advice tailored to your pet.
Dog Food & Nutrition
Cat Food & Nutrition
Dog Food Types
Kibble, wet, fresh, raw, air-dried or freeze-dried – there’s more than one way to fill a dog’s bowl. No single format is best for every dog. What matters most is that their overall diet is complete and balanced and works for their individual needs. Explore what each option can bring to the bowl, including how mixed feeding can add variety in taste, texture and moisture.
Is wet or dry food better for dogs? Get the benefits of both with mixed feeding
It’s no secret that the way to a dog’s heart is through their stomach. But is wet or dry food better for dogs? Whether your dog prefers both wet or dry dog food, preparing a special meal for your pet using both will engage all five of their senses.
Mixed feeding: the secret to making your pet’s dinner irresistible
Mealtimes are an important part of your pet’s daily routine, and yet they can get kind of boring. The same food day in day out, wouldn’t you get tired of that? Make mealtime more exciting by mixed feeding: mixing and matching different types of pet food to give your pet a memorable eating experience every night of the week.
Cat Food Types
Kibble, wet, fresh, raw, air-dried or freeze-dried – there’s more than one way to fill a cat’s bowl, and your cat may have a firm opinion on the matter. No single format is best for every cat. What matters most is that their overall diet is complete and balanced and suits their individual needs. Explore what each option can bring to mealtime, including how mixed feeding can add moisture and variety in taste and texture.
What’s the best cat food? A guide to cat food formats
Dry, wet, fresh, raw, air-dried and freeze-dried cat food. Which format is best for cats?
No single format takes the top spot by default. The best choice starts with a food that is complete and balanced for your cat’s life stage, suits their individual nutritional needs and is something they enjoy and tolerate well. From there, consider which format – or combination of formats – works for their hydration needs and your budget, storage space and feeding routine.
Is dry or wet food better for cats? Get the benefits of both wet and dry cat food by mixed feeding
It’s no secret our feline friends can be fussy. Add to that the question of whether dry or wet food is better for cats, it can be hard to decide what to feed your feline friend. If dinnertime is a struggle or you just want to make mealtime fun and engaging for your cat, try preparing a special meal for them that utilises both wet and dry cat food.
Mixed feeding: the secret to making your pet’s dinner irresistible
Mealtimes are an important part of your pet’s daily routine, and yet they can get kind of boring. The same food day in day out, wouldn’t you get tired of that? Make mealtime more exciting by mixed feeding: mixing and matching different types of pet food to give your pet a memorable eating experience every night of the week.
Petey & Barnadette
Keep the Feed Good Feeling with a health check
More healthy years together starts with good nutrition. Book a wellness consultation with your Greencross Vet and create a nutrition plan tailored to your pet.
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How nutrition supports healthy muscle condition in dogs and cats
From chasing balls and climbing cat trees to simply getting up for breakfast, healthy muscles help pets move through life with strength and comfort. Helping them feel and function at their best starts with a complete and balanced diet suited to their species, life stage and individual needs that they tolerate well alongside regular, appropriate activity and veterinary care when something doesn’t seem right.
What’s the best food for a shiny coat?
Healthy skin and a shiny coat that looks and feels its best starts with diet. The best food for your pet’s skin and coat health is a complete and balanced food suited to your pet’s species, life stage and individual needs, and is something they enjoy, tolerate well and that works for your routine and budget. Keep treats, toppers and supplements in balance with their overall diet, support them with a suitable grooming routine, and check in with your vet when something isn’t quite right.
Can food affect your pet’s energy and behaviour?
The short answer is that nutrition can support wellbeing, but behaviour is influenced by the whole picture.
Good nutrition fuels every walk, pounce and nap, and it may also support your pet’s energy levels, brain health and overall wellbeing. And we’re not just talking about the “hangry” moments before dinner or the excitement of spotting a full food bowl.
Your pet needs a complete and balanced food appropriate suitable for their species, life stage and individual needs – and one they enjoy and tolerate well. How and when that food is served can also support predictable routines, enrichment and natural behaviours.
Food isn’t a magic solution to behaviour concerns. Health, environment, routine, previous experiences and individual temperament can all influence how a pet behaves. Nutrition works as part of that bigger picture, alongside suitable activity, enrichment, reward-based training and veterinary care when something doesn’t seem right.
Is dry or wet food better for cats? Get the benefits of both wet and dry cat food by mixed feeding
It’s no secret our feline friends can be fussy. Add to that the question of whether dry or wet food is better for cats, it can be hard to decide what to feed your feline friend. If dinnertime is a struggle or you just want to make mealtime fun and engaging for your cat, try preparing a special meal for them that utilises both wet and dry cat food.
What’s the best cat food? A guide to cat food formats
Dry, wet, fresh, raw, air-dried and freeze-dried cat food. Which format is best for cats?
No single format takes the top spot by default. The best choice starts with a food that is complete and balanced for your cat’s life stage, suits their individual nutritional needs and is something they enjoy and tolerate well. From there, consider which format – or combination of formats – works for their hydration needs and your budget, storage space and feeding routine.
What’s the best dog food? A guide to dog food formats
Dry, wet, fresh, raw, air-dried and freeze-dried dog food. Which format is the best for dogs?
No format takes the top spot by default. The best choice starts with a food that is complete and balanced for your dog’s life stage, suits their individual nutritional needs and is something they enjoy and tolerate well. Dry, wet, fresh, raw, air-dried and freeze-dried foods
How to read dog food labels
We know when it comes to your dog, only the best will do. But if you’re ever in doubt that the food you’re buying for your pet contains all the goodness they need to stay healthy, happy and full of energy, it’s worth checking the labels. Here’s a guide on how to read dog food labels so you can ensure you’re making the right choice for your dog.
Mixed feeding: the secret to making your pet’s dinner irresistible
Mealtimes are an important part of your pet’s daily routine, and yet they can get kind of boring. The same food day in day out, wouldn’t you get tired of that? Make mealtime more exciting by mixed feeding: mixing and matching different types of pet food to give your pet a memorable eating experience every night of the week.
Is wet or dry food better for dogs? Get the benefits of both with mixed feeding
It’s no secret that the way to a dog’s heart is through their stomach. But is wet or dry food better for dogs? Whether your dog prefers both wet or dry dog food, preparing a special meal for your pet using both will engage all five of their senses.
