The great nutrition debate
Few topics are as controversial among pet owners as what we choose to feed our pets.
The following resources are supported by the most current scientific research on canine nutrition. The research is ongoing and ever evolving.
Advice on Choosing a Pet Food
- Animal Doctor Rhea (YouTube Channel) Small animal veterinary reviews pet foods and addresses how each meets a dog’s nutritional requirements
- Choosing the BEST Food for Your Pets (Vet Med Corner) Veterinarian explains common misconceptions about pet food and tips for picking a good one
- Pet Nutrition Alliance (Pet Nutrition Alliance) Group of vet organizations which offers pet nutrition resources, including a calorie calculator and an annual pet food manufacturer evaluation chart
- WASVA Guidelines on Selecting a Pet Food (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) Short list of questions to ask when picking a pet food
- WASVA Nutrition Toolkit (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) Nutrition resources including body condition scoring information and caloric estimate
Reading a Pet Food Label
We’d argue manipulating pet food labels is the number 1 marketing trick used by manufacturers today.
- How to Read a Dog Food Label (American Kennel Club) A primer on how to read a pet food label
- How to Read Pet Food Labels (AnimalDocRea) YouTube video series by a small animal veterinarian about how to read pet food labels
Pet Food Storage Tips
- Avoiding Pet Food Storage Errors | Vet’s Voice A veterinarian’s take on how to properly store pet food
The Science of Nutrition
Hungry for more pet nutrition resources? Chow down on these! These provide a deeper look at dog nutritional requirements.
- 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines (American Animal Hospitals Association)
- Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats(National Research Council of the National Academies) The most recent report from the National Research Council on the nutritional requirements of dogs; published in 2006.
- Overview of Nutrition: Small Animals (Merck Manual) Information about nutritional requirements for small animals, including dogs
- The Science Dog (Linda Case) [F/$] Courses and webinars, many about dog nutrition and feeding. Paid and free options.
- Small Animal Clinical Nutrition 5th Ed. Online The textbook on small animal nutrition; 5th edition was published in 2010
- Tufts Vet- Petfoodology (Tufts Vet) Blog from Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists who answer common questions about pet food
- Tufts Vet – Nutrition Resources (Tufts Vet) Nutrient calculator, muscle condition scorer, food cost estimator and more
- Your Dog’s Nutritional Needs: A Science Based Guide for Pet Owners (National Research Council of the National Academies) Free e-book about dog nutritional requirements by the scientific organization responsible for calculating them for the FDA
The Modern Dog Library 