Choosing the right diet for your best friend is a big responsibility. Whether your favorite furry companion is a dog or a cat, a puppy, kitten, bunny or other, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by all the options out there, from dry food to wet food to raw. Even a quick visit to an online retailer or walk down the pet food aisle of your local store can leave you more confused than when you started. When every pet's needs and preferences are unique, how can you be sure you are giving your pal the right nutrition to keep it healthy and prevent obesity?

Ask the Experts

When choosing the best food for your pet, start by talking to your vet. Here at Pet Hospitals of Hawaii, we are happy to discuss your pet's individual needs and how the variety of foods out there can affect things like energy level, skin, dental health, and digestion. At your animal's regular wellness visits, we can check things like weight, blood tests, coat, and activity level. We will take all that into consideration as we make recommendations about types and amounts of food, as well as specific ingredients to look for or avoid.

Wet Food vs. Dry Food

One of the first questions you will have to answer when selecting pet food is whether to get dry food or wet food. Lots of dogs and cats get excited when they hear the pop-top on a can of moist, meaty, wet food, but that does not necessarily make it the better option. Wet food can be a great choice for pets with specific health needs, like those who need extra moisture in their diets. For example, many cats do not naturally drink enough water, and wet food can help keep them well-hydrated.

For other pets, though, dry food might be the way to go. Crunching on those crispy morsels can help keep pets' teeth clean, and dry food is generally more energy-dense and affordable than wet food. Some pet owners find that the best compromise between their household budget and their pets' taste buds is serving mostly dry food with a little bit of wet food mixed in for flavor.

Making Sense of Raw Food

If you have done much research into pet food over the last few years, you have probably seen raw food options. Similar to the paleo diet for humans, a raw food pet diet is based on the idea that animals are healthiest with a less processed diet that is more similar to the foods their ancestors ate in the wild. Supporters of a raw food diet assert that their pets have shinier coats, more energy, and cleaner teeth, but raw food can be more expensive than feeding processed pet food. If you choose raw food, lots of research and good communication with your vet is necessary to make sure you are feeding your pet a safe diet with balanced nutrition.

Making Sense of It All

Congratulations on making your pet's health a priority. We share your commitment to finding the right diet and nutrition to help your pet live a long and happy life. No matter the price point or your pet's preferences, you have options when it comes to picking a pet food. Do some reading from trusted online sources, keep up with your pet's regular check-ups, and ask us at Pet Hospitals of Hawaii when you have questions. We are here to help!