An Overview of Dog/Cat Nutrition
Welcome to “From A Dog’s Eye View”. I’m your host Susan Coleman. Today I will be talking about a subject that overwhelms most pet parents - what to feed your dog or cat. As I am talking to you, I am sharing a power point presentation I prepared for my clients, created by Shih Ying-Fa. This presentation will be divided into two separate podcasts. In part one, I will be sharing with you some history on how and when pet food started to be sold in stores, how it is processed, and what ingredients are mandated by the regulatory agency that oversees pet food manufacturers. In part two, which will be released in two weeks, I will help you make the best and most affordable decision on food for your dog or cat, which ingredients are healthy and which ones to avoid. I will also give you some suggestions and personal favorites, including what I feed my cat and dog. I have to preface this presentation by disclosing that I am not a veterinarian or a certified pet nutrition specialist. However, I am a certified herbalist and can suggest herbs/supplements for various health conditions or for just maintaining optimal health. While I was conducting my research (which is an ongoing process) about pet nutrition, it propelled me to research human food. I started looking at ingredients of the everyday food I was consuming and was shocked. I thought I was eating healthy, but I wasn’t. I took a class from a naturopath about how what we expose ourselves to, can directly affect our health. I learned about ways to use food and supplements as medicine and as an alternative to pharmaceuticals. I will share the supplements I currently give my cat and dog in part two of this presentation. I recommend consulting a holistic or integrative veterinarian for professional advice when considering making any changes to your pet’s diet. It is wise to make sure your pet is in good health before making any drastic changes such as introducing new and/or raw food. I will briefly discuss the benefits of raw food and when and how to make that switch over. I will also provide names and contact info of two holistic vets in the Cleveland area. I have contacted both of them expressing my interest in having them as a guest, so hopefully in the near future I will be able to share their expertise. So, let’s get started. How To Select the Best Food For Your Pet and Why It is So Important With so many dog and cat food brands available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. When talking about pet food, I feel it is important to make people aware of the following: * the evolution of the dry food many of us feed our pets * the regulatory commission that overseas the pet food manufacturers * how a dog and cat’s anatomy determines what they should consume * ingredients to avoid * ingredients that are beneficial My Mission My goal is to increase your awareness of the importance of making healthy food choices for your pet so that they can not only live, but also thrive on the food you give them. My Motivation My presentation also addresses some cat nutrition since it was due to my cats and dog at the time that propelled me to research this broad and confusing subject. I had four cats (one is not pictured) and a dog who were all having symptoms. My cats were throwing up frequently and one of them was actually pulling out his fur because he itched so much. My dog, Hank the Corgi, would have intermittent bouts of throwing up bile and sometimes undigested kibble. Hank also would have diarrhea that didn’t even resemble diarrhea. I was getting very tired of picking up puke! When and Why I Changed What I Feed My Pets Every one of my pets were tested by a veterinarian for parasites and several health conditions that could cause some of these symptoms. They were all under 5 years old and every single test came back clear and free of disease. I was beginning to think that these symptoms were normal. I asked if it was food related, but I never got a definitive answer. It was around this time, in 2016, that I started working at Petco as a dog trainer. The first question I asked the manager was “With all of the food in this store, what is the best food for my dog and cats?” The manager directed me to the aisle where the highest quality (supposedly) of food was. I tried one on Hank and within days, he had the absolute worst gas you could imagine. I know some of you listening can relate to this! There was something in that food that did not agree with Hank. This doesn’t mean that every dog who consumes that brand of food will have gas. It just means that it didn’t agree with my dog. My life was about to change as far as what I would ultimately feed my cats and dog. There was a mandatory meeting for all of us Petco employees.with a rep from Bil-Jac dog food. The rep started describing symptoms that dogs can have that may be related to the food they eat. He asked if anyone was experiencing these symptoms with their dog. I immediately raised my hand and told the rep he was describing my dog Hank’s symptoms to the “T”. The rep gave us some samples of food and told us that Bil-Jac is one of the rare baked dog foods on the market that you don’t have to take 10 days to transition your dog to. It is due to the lower temperature the food is baked as compared to the standard kibble most pet parents feed their dogs. You can start feeding your dog Bil-Jac dog food for their next meal and they won’t have any stomach upsets. I was too nervous to transition immediately. Instead, Hank was switched over to Big-Jac within 3 days. All of his symptoms disappeared! I must emphasize that I am referring to Bil-Jac dog food sold in a bag, not the frozen kind. After seeing how Hank improved, it confirmed to me that there was something in the food that did not agree with him. I just couldn’t believe that dog and cat food manufacturers would put ingredients in their food that pets can’t even digest! Why don’t they have the pets well-being in mind when formulating the recipe? Hence, my extensive research and discoveries that I am sharing with you. It got me thinking that maybe there are things in human food that make us not feel well too. I decided to get an appointment with a naturopath right down the street from me named Dr. Jane Semple. I thought I was eating healthy, but Dr. Semple recommended I start keeping track of the food I typically ate and to look up the sugar content of every item. I was shocked! It was about 3 times the daily amount one should have. I was convinced that food really does matter. If I noticed my dog’s symptoms clearing up and even my own symptoms, there is something to say about “We are what we eat”. My mistake was trusting that food manufacturers prioritize our health and well-being over profit. Since then, I believe pet parents can always feed their dog or cat something better than what they are conveniently giving them. It can never hurt. Real food is better than processed food. However, homemade diets need professional supervision. A lack in vitamins and minerals can cause serious health issues if you don’t know exactly what you are doing. In part two, I will provide resources to help guide you if you decide to transition your pet to a healthier diet. I will also share with you what I currently give my dog and cat. They are both in very good health in their senior years. We all want our pets around a lot longer than their life expectancy. If feeding them healthier food makes that possible, then why not make some changes now? The symptoms listed on this next slide and below can be attributed to underlying health conditions that are not necessarily due to dietary reasons. This is why it is highly recommended to be under the care of a veterinarian. Please refer to the podcast with Dr. Randy from Animal Clinic Northview dated May 19, 2026, “Allergies and Arthritis”. Not all allergies are food related. There can be a hereditary and/or environmental factor. Your vet can help identify the root and possible remedies. Regardless of the root of the symptoms your pet is having, it is always a good thing to give them the best food possible. Symptoms of Food Sensitivities/Inflammation * Itchy, flaky skin - you can see dandruff in their fur/indicates dry skin due to difficulty digesting certain ingredients in food and/or lack of healthy fats * Hot spots - areas that have been itched so much they form sores * Loose stools - formed but not firm or just downright mushy * Gurgling stomach sounds - sometimes accompanied by vomiting or loose stools * Vomiting - sometimes blown up kibble, digested food, or bile * Gas - silent but deadly! * Ear infections - can be caused by floppy ears that don’t get aired out/too many carbs in diet * Eye discharge - difficulty digesting certain ingredients in food or quality of water * Sneezing fits - same as eye discharge * Lackluster fur (matted fur, pulling fur out) - does not shine/coarse * “Frito” paws - pads of paws smell like fritos/yeast overgrowth * Halitosis/gingivitis and other dental issues - can indicate dysbiosis of gut bacteria * Stiff, arthritic joints - certain foods can cause inflammation of the joints like unhealthy fats * Lack of energy - lack of healthy nutrition affects energy level History of the Pet Food Industry To fully understand the importance of selecting the appropriate food for your pet, it is helpful to explore the history of how pet food came into being, and how we transitioned from feeding table scraps to relying on commercially produced pet food sold in stores. We have to remember that pet ownership prior to World War II was utilitarian, meaning dogs had jobs to do on the farm and cats were used to keep mice out of the barns. Pets primarily lived outdoors and were given leftover table scraps and some canned foods. During WWII, tin and metal were rationed which severely impacted the canned food industry. This became an impetus for developing dry dog and cat food that I will be referring to as kibble. Manufacturers partnered with cereal makers who had already invented shelf stable food. This was the optimal collaboration for pet food manufacturers to eventually mass produce kibble and meet the demand of the growing population of pet owners. Soon after the war, during the late 40s and early 50s, people and their pets started to migrate to the suburbs and pet ownership started to increase. The demand for more convenient ways to feed their pets was also increasing. It is very easy to open a bag of dog or cat food and pour it into a dish for our pets. As I will be demonstrating in this presentation, convenience isn’t always the answer to a long and healthy life. The Pet Food Industry Today, the pet food industry is a booming business. Since 1994, sales have increased $2 to $3 billion dollars each year. As of 2025, $69.3 billion were spent on pets, of which 1/3 of it was spent on food. Of course, pet food manufacturers want to get on the band wagon to profit from this ever growing business. This means cutting corners on the cost of certain ingredients to increase profit. These shortcuts do not necessarily keep your pet’s health in mind. Certain ingredients, additives, and the process of making kibble drastically reduce the nutritional benefits. I will be detailing ingredients to avoid in part two of this podcast so that you can make the best decisions when choosing pet food. After the war, the rendering process was developed. This is when by-products from the human food industry is recycled and used for other things. Pet food manufacturers take advantage of these products. They are cheap and readily available. Remember: these are not human grade ingredients. They are rejects from the human food supply. If the food is so contaminated, we have to trust that the USDA will regulate the manufacturers to destroy it. Otherwise, it can be used for pet food. This may include meat that doesn’t meet aesthetic standards, or internal organs or other parts that normally are not used for human food. You don’t quite know what your pet is eating. I highly recommend human grade food for this reason. If you don’t recognize an ingredient on the label, there’s a good chance it’s not something your pet should be eating. Understanding the Kibble Manufacturing Process The process of creating a kibble by mixing ingredients together and forcing it through an extruder to form the kibble shape is called extrusion. A picture of an extruder is on this slide in the powerpoint presentation. The kibble is then baked at least at 400 degrees. There are several problems with extruded kibble, such as: * mixing all the ingredients into a dough like substance makes it easier to disguise its quality. * starch must be added so the kibble retains its shape. Starch makes the kibble harder to digest. * fatty acids are added after the baking process in order to preserve the integrity of the fats. Kibble becomes rancid because of the added sprayed on fat within 3 weeks, if not properly stored. * baking the kibble at such a high temperature decreases the nutritional benefits of essential vitamins and minerals. * moisture levels required for healthy pets are very low. This is especially important in regards to cats. Who Regulates the Pet Food Industry? The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is the pet food regulator for the sale and distribution of pet food and drugs. It is separate from the FDA and USDA. It is a non-profit organization that establishes the nutritional standards, ingredient definitions, and labeling guidelines for pet and animal feed in the United States. Its members consist of local, state and federal regulatory officials, and even some veterinarians. It does not test, approve, certify, or regulate the food itself. On every package of dog and cat food, you will find listed: * Ingredients * Guaranteed Analysis - the breakdown in percentages of protein, fat, fiber, moisture, and sometimes taurine (a non-essential amino acid). * Calorie content * A statement that it is AAFCO approved * Recommended serving size according to weight The AAFCO does not require a standard for the types of ingredients that the manufacturers can and cannot put in their food. In fact, if an ingredient’s quantity is less than 2% of the total ingredients, it is not obligated to list that as an ingredient. In other words, your cat or dog may have a reaction to a particular brand of dog food, but not another one with the same ingredients. It is possible that an ingredient which is 2% or less is causing the symptoms. The vet may even recommend changing foods. Veterinarians can conduct an extensive allergy test concentrating on different proteins. This is what commonly causes allergic reactions. Dietary Requirement Differences Between Humans, Dogs, and Cats Humans are omnivores. This means we consume a variety of food from both animals and plants. We get our nutrients from protein, carbohydrates, fiber, fats, minerals, vitamins, and water. Most of us get our food from the grocery store where everything is packaged and sold to us. We have to make decisions on how much and what we consume. Dogs and cats depend on us to make those decisions. There are some very picky cats and dogs, but in my experience, most dogs eat anything! Cats are the ones that are more picky. Dogs are scavenging carnivores. If left to fend for themselves in the outside world, they would hunt and eat mostly fish and animals. However, they also can manage to digest and derive nutrition from plant material. They can consume a vet recommended vegetarian diet in order to resolve some kind of health issue, but this should only be temporary. In addition to deriving their protein primarily from meat for their protein requirement, they also require fats, fiber, minerals, vitamins and water. They will also feed on dead carcasses. Cats are obligate carnivores. This means that their main source of protein must be from meat or fish. They lack the necessary enzymes to digest carbohydrates. I tried giving my cats a teaspoon of a ground up homemade cooked veggie mix and they threw it up. Remember, the last thing I wanted to do was feed them something that would make them vomit! Cats require fats, fiber, minerals, vitamins, and water. They will not eat dead animals unless they are freshly killed. Species Appropriate Diet for Dogs and Cats Now that you know some of the dietary requirements of dogs and cats, I’m going to break down and demonstrate the differences in kibble and fresh food appropriate for their species. Ideally, their diet should be high in moisture and protein, moderate in healthy fats, and low in carbohydrates. The ancestral diet is composed of: * 49% protein * 44% fat * 6% carbohydrates * roughly 2-5% crude fiber (to be determined by a veterinarian/holistic vet) * water - measured in ounces to equal approximately one ounce for every two pounds of your cat/dog’s body weight; for example: a 20lb. dog requires at least 10 ounces of water depending on the activity level. Processed dry kibble consists roughly of: * 25% protein * 32% fat * 43% carbohydrates * barely 10% moisture ( this is very important when referring to cats) As you can see, the vast differences between the ancestral diet and kibble is staggering. By eating processed kibble, dogs and cats are lacking in both protein and fat and consuming excessive amounts of carbohydrates. In my opinion, this substantial gap in what is biologically required for dogs and cats and what is found in the majority of kibble, is the cause for a variety of health issues. The same thing can be said for the disparity in human consumption of protein, fat, fiber, carbs, and water and what is recommended. We will experience health issues if we consume too many carbs. Even lack of water consumption will cause us to have symptoms. Our bodies are designed to consume certain amounts of each essential food source just like cats’ and dogs’ bodies. When we consume too much or not enough of one of these sources, we experience some kind of symptom. Proteins To break down the ancestral diet of cats and dogs, it is beneficial for you to know why protein, fat and carbohydrates contribute to the optimal health of your pet. Starting with proteins, they are the foundation of a carnivore’s diet. They are an integral part of every cell in the body. Proteins are necessary for the formation of cells, enzymes, hormones, ligaments, tendons, organs and protective tissue. They manufacture amino acids which are necessary for proper cell functioning. However, some essential amino acids still need to be added to a carnivore’s diet. For example, cats do not make taurine, but need it to live. Food manufacturers must add it to the food and must be supplemented if it is homemade. Healthy Proteins for Dogs According to your budget, the best proteins are grass-fed beef, meats with no antibiotics applied to the animal, wild caught instead of farm raised seafood, organic and cage free eggs. I go as far as to try giving my pets the highest quality meats that I can afford because whatever the animal feeds on is being consumed indirectly by us. Livestock consuming corn, wheat and soy, which are crops that are heavily doused with pesticides, can be harmful to living beings. For more information on this subject, please refer to The Center for Food Safety and research Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO). Good sources of protein are as follows: * grass-fed beef * Chicken* * Lamb* * Turkey* * Sardines * Wild caught Alaskan salmon * Eggs* * Nuts and seeds - almonds, pecans, walnuts, sunflower and pumpkin seeds. NO macadamia nuts or peanuts. *should be organic, cage free and antibiotic free meats and eggs Proteins to Avoid Just as with humans, certain ingredients can trigger negative immune responses in dogs and cats too. I recommend avoiding them all together. This way, it helps eliminate the root of particular symptoms your dog or cat may be having. These questionable ingredients are as follows: * Dairy - many dogs are lactose intolerant due to not producing enough lactase to break down the lactose. * Soy - a common food causing symptoms listed above due to its phytoestrogens which can disrupt hormone balance. * Beans - legumes such as chickpeas, lentils, navy beans, peas, peanuts. Dogs and cats lack the proper enzyme to break them down * Wheat - a common ingredient causing symptoms listed above due to an allergy or intolerance. Two proteins that are debatable are yogurt and peanut butter. I prefer alternatives such as dairy free yogurt (made by Silk) and almond butter. I also give my pets a daily probiotic supplement which has a variety of bacteria in it instead of just the main one that is found in most yogurt brands - lactobacillus acidophilus. This way it is easier to avoid any possible symptoms from developing. Carbohydrates Carbohydrates are organic compounds found in both foods and tissues. When we speak of carbohydrates or carbs, we think of sugars. Starches are also considered carbs which turn into sugar. This is important when looking for pet food with few carbs. As I mentioned before, only 6% of a dog’s diet should be carbs. Not that many people realize that in the Guaranteed Analysis in your box or bag of dog or cat food, there is no category of carbohydrates. If you add up the protein, fat, fiber and moisture, the total is just over 50%. What is the rest of the percentage? Carbohydrates! Some of these are healthy carbs and some are starches that are processed by the body into sugars. Examples of healthy carbs are: * sweet potatoes * pumpkin * spinach * carrots * celery * broccoli * cooked green beans * sprouted grains * apples * berries * pineapple * bananas Just remember that fresh fruits and veggies can be given as a treat or in addition to your dogs’ daily meals. They are low in calories and high in nutritional value. Even if all you can afford is kibble, adding fresh fruit and veggies will always be beneficial. I try very hard not to waste any meats, fish, fruits or veggies. When I know that fruits or veggies won’t be eaten before they go bad, I will give them to my dog. She eats everything except spinach leaves! Fatty Acids (Fats) Fatty acids are necessary for reproduction, cell membrane synthesis, healing, healthy skin and coat, and the regulation of inflammation. There are different types of fats: * Saturated fats - meats, tropical oils, baked goods, fast foods * Monounsaturated fats - nuts and seeds, avocados, plant oils * Polyunsaturated fats - salmon, walnuts, soybean and sunflower oil * Trans Fats - fried foods, baked goods, hydrogenated oils We all know the fats we should stay clear of, but we also must consume healthy fats for the reasons listed above. Processed dog and cat food use the cheapest products which aren’t always the healthiest products. Healthy sources of fatty acids include: * egg yolks, preferably raw or lightly cooked * sardines with skin and bones * salmon oil or canned salmon with skin * coconut oil There are also essential fatty acids which our body needs but cannot produce on its own. We must get them from food sources or supplements. The AAFCO requires only Linoleic acid for dogs and arachidonic acid for cats. There are dog and cat foods that add Omega-3 fatty acids to the kibble. That all sounds good, but when the kibble is baked at high temperatures, not only do the fatty acids become less beneficial, but so do the vitamins, minerals, and probiotics. They are more biologically available when added to the food before serving. Therefore, I recommend adding high quality supplements before serving them to your cat or dog. We will dig deeper into this subject in part two of this podcast. Concerns about fatty acids in pet food * fatty acids are very fragile and are susceptible to changes in temperature * fatty acids become rancid when exposed to oxygen and high temperatures * rancid fats can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, liver and heart issues, and cancer * According to Steve Brown, an expert on pet nutrition, “No fat is better than rancid fat”. Proper storage of your pet food is highly recommended. This will be covered in more detail in part two of this podcast. Good quality coconut and olive oil can be added to their food. I recommend staying clear of canola oil in pet food since this is inflammatory and can cause health issues. My cat and dog will eat solid coconut oil whenever I give it to them. If you are interested in doing this, please consult either me or a veterinarian. I’m sure many cat owners have caught their cats licking the butter dish. Cats instinctively know they need fat, but they don’t know whether the butter is a high-quality or healthy source of fat. This is where it is up to the humans to provide an affordable source of fat like fish oil or sardines. Remember to always introduce anything new to cats and dogs (especially cats) a little bit at a time so as to prevent stomach upsets. I believe that a clearer understanding of what exactly is in our food supply empowers us to make healthier choices not only for ourselves but also for our pets. A better understanding of the organization that regulates the pet food industry, what a cat’s and dog’s anatomy dictates they consume, which ingredients to avoid and which nutrient-rich ingredients to look for, can help us make the best decisions for our pets. We all want our pets to live long, healthy lives. We also have financial limits that can restrict us from providing the highest quality of food. However, fresh food is always better than processed food. We know if we only eat fast food for every meal, we will eventually have some kind of health issue. There are still many dogs and cats that eat only processed kibble and still live beyond their expected lifespan. From my experience with my clients, they are the exception rather than the rule, especially within the past 10 years. Your veterinarian would have better statistics about this because they see many more pets than I have during this time. I also believe that kibble produced 25-30 years ago was of higher quality than much of what is available today. Modern pet foods often contain more additives, and in many cases, the quality of the ingredients has declined. Too many pets die too soon. Whether you’re adding some fresh, real food to your pet’s kibble, feeding a high-quality diet at every meal, or simply offering healthier food occasionally throughout their life, I’m all for that! Dogs and cats can be picky eaters. Please leave me a comment on what challenges you have experienced trying to find the right food for your cat or dog. Also, let me know what solutions you discovered by changing their food or routine. Thanks for reading From A Dog’s Eye View! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit canineconcierge.substack.com
