What this guide can help with
The right feeding plan depends on life stage, health, body condition, muscle condition, activity, environment and the diet’s nutritional adequacy.
Every pet is different. A veterinary examination remains the best way to understand symptoms and decide whether waiting is appropriate.
Key points
- The ingredient list alone does not establish whether a diet is nutritionally appropriate.
- Body condition assesses fat stores; muscle condition provides different information and can decline with disease or ageing.
- Treats, chews and table food count towards total intake.
- Weight change should be gradual and monitored; unexplained loss needs veterinary assessment.
Helpful things to do at home
- Measure food consistently and include treats in the daily total.
- Use body-condition charts with guidance from the veterinary team.
- Avoid abrupt diet changes unless instructed.
- Tell the clinic about supplements, raw foods and home-prepared diets.
When to book an appointment
- Unplanned weight loss or gain
- Difficulty choosing a life-stage or therapeutic diet
- Chronic gastrointestinal, kidney, urinary or endocrine disease
Seek urgent veterinary advice for
- Weakness, collapse or refusal to eat in a medically fragile pet
- Repeated vomiting or inability to retain water
References
This guide is general information only. Your veterinarian will tailor advice to your pet after an examination.