The field guide Department 03

Nutrition

Labels, ingredients, recalls and feeding science — what regulators and veterinary nutritionists actually say.

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Nutrition

How Pet Food Recalls Work and How to Check Your Bag

From FDA oversight to lot codes on the label, a plain-language guide to pet food recalls and the steps to take if your bag is affected.

A person photographing the lot code and best-by date printed on the bottom of a pet food bag in a tidy home kitchen pantry.
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Nutrition

Cat Hydration: Wet vs. Dry Food and Your Cat's Water Needs

Why cats have a low thirst drive, how wet and dry food differ in water content, and what hydration means for feline urinary and kidney health.

A tabby cat drinking from a shallow ceramic water bowl beside an open can of wet food on a kitchen floor.
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Nutrition

The 10% Treat Rule: Smarter Snacking for Dogs and Cats

Veterinary guidance says treats should stay within ten percent of daily calories. Here is what that means and how to spend the budget wisely.

A trainer holding pea-sized training treats while a border collie puppy watches her attentively during a backyard training session in summer light.
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Nutrition

Toxic Human Foods for Dogs: Chocolate, Xylitol, Grapes, and Onions

Which people foods can poison dogs: chocolate, xylitol, grapes and raisins, onions and garlic, plus what to do immediately if ingestion is suspected.

A chocolate bar, a pack of sugar-free gum, and a small bowl of grapes arranged on a kitchen counter well out of a dog's reach.
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Nutrition

Food Allergies vs. Intolerances in Dogs: What the Science Shows

Why proteins such as beef and dairy, not grains, top the list of canine food allergens, and how a vet-supervised elimination diet finds the culprit.

A beagle with reddened paws being examined by a veterinarian in a clinic, with a notebook of diet records open on the exam table beside it.
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Nutrition

Raw Pet Food Diets: What the FDA and CDC Say About Pathogen Risks

Why the CDC and FDA discourage raw pet food: salmonella and listeria findings, zoonotic risks in the home, and safe handling guidance for raw feeders.

A person washing their hands at a kitchen sink next to a thawing package of raw frozen dog food resting on the counter.
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Nutrition

Senior Pet Nutrition: Adjusting Diets as Dogs and Cats Age

Calorie needs, protein debates, and joint and kidney considerations in older dogs and cats — and why senior diet changes belong under veterinary supervision.

A graying senior labrador and an older tabby cat resting side by side near their food and water bowls in a warm, sunlit living room.
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Nutrition

Grain-Free Dog Food and DCM: Where the FDA Investigation Stands

The FDA's grain-free DCM investigation in plain terms: 2019 updates, reports of dilated cardiomyopathy, and why no definitive cause has been established.

A golden retriever sitting beside a bag of grain-free dog food in a kitchen, with the ingredient list showing peas and lentils in focus.
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Nutrition

Puppy Feeding Schedule by Age and Size: A Vet-Informed Guide

How often puppies should eat from weaning to adulthood, why large breeds need controlled growth, and how to keep body condition lean with your vet.

A golden retriever puppy eating from a stainless steel bowl on a kitchen floor, with a measuring cup and a printed feeding chart resting beside it in soft morning light.
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Nutrition

How to Read a Pet Food Label: AAFCO Rules Every Owner Should Know

Decode AAFCO pet food labels: ingredient order, guaranteed analysis, nutritional adequacy statements, and feeding directions explained for dog and cat owners.

A close-up photograph of the back panel of a dry dog food bag, showing the ingredient list, guaranteed analysis, and the small-print AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement.
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