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Build a Balanced Bowl for Your Pet

Build a Balanced Bowl for Your Pet

As cat and dog parents, we do everything we can to help ensure our pets’ good health, and that starts with what we put in their food bowls. Your pet may seem satisfied with their current menu, but periodic reassessments are important. As their life stages and lifestyles change, so do their nutritional needs.

Figuring out your pet’s perfect food doesn’t have to be stressful, however. If you’re looking for recommendations about dog food or cat food, Petco is here to help. Here’s how to get started.

Build a balanced bowl for your pet

Your pet might like the food they’re already eating, but building a balanced bowl can be beneficial when it comes to factors like getting the proper level of macronutrients and micronutrients. So, what exactly is a “balanced bowl”? At Petco, we believe that your pet’s overall health and wellness can benefit from having a combination of quality ingredients and food types at mealtime. This helps ensure their meals taste great while also helping them get the proper balance of nutrients they need to stay healthy and happy. If you haven’t taken a look at your pet’s food in a while, now is the perfect time to add a little oomph.

Anatomy of a balanced bowl

Building a balanced bowl for your pet is as simple as following three easy steps:

  1. Build the base: Every good meal starts with a complete and balanced base. This can be either kibble, fresh or frozen, as long as it’s made with quality ingredients that meet your pet’s  needs based on their age, breed, activity level and taste preferences. Your veterinarian can help you choose the best option. The base in your pet's bowl should make up 90% of their meal.
  2. Add toppers: Toppers help layer in additional protein, moisture and variety. Wet toppers and freeze-dried toppers are popular because they make it easy to mix up your pet’s original diet without the longer transition required to switch to a whole new food. This is also a fun way to test out new forms and flavors to find your pet’s favorites. Remember to take the additional calories toppers add into account when balancing the percentages in your pet’s better bowl. Toppers, in addition to any treats your pet may have, should make up 10% or less of your pet's daily diet (in total).
  3. Treats: Treats are an excellent (and tasty!) way to show your pet how much you care, but make sure they make up 10% or less of their overall diet. With that in mind, you can even use treats to enhance other areas of your pet’s health. For example, dental treats help you look after their oral health while giving them something delicious.

Building a balanced bowl for your pet is simple, once you understand the basics. For any specific questions regarding your pet’s nutritional needs, be sure to consult your veterinarian. Petco has all the delectable meals, toppers, supplements and treats you need to start building. Shop in store or online today!

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