For decades, the gold standard of pet nutrition has been found in a bag. The routine was simple: find a food your pet will eat, pour it in a bowl, and call it a day.
But our understanding of pet health is evolving. It’s no longer just about filling bellies - it’s about providing optimal nutrition to help our pets truly thrive. It’s not just about the foods we can feed; it’s about what we should be feeding.
To make that shift, researcher and animal nutrition expert Terri Grow and I are breaking down the fundamental building blocks of canine and feline nutrition. By the end, you’ll know what your pet needs and why it matters.
The Core: Macronutrients, Micronutrients, and Water
Macronutrients include proteins, fats, and carbohydrates that provide essential nutrients your pet needs in large quantities to provide energy, sustain life, and maintain structural functions.
- Proteins: These supply essential amino acids needed to build muscles, repair tissues, and promote natural immune defenses. For our canine and feline carnivores, their requirement for protein is higher than for humans and the quality is just as important as the quantity. Cats and dogs utilize the highly bioavailable animal-based proteins much more efficiently than plant-based.
- Fats: The most concentrated source of energy, fats are necessary for long-term stamina, hormone production, and the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). They also protect internal organs, support cell growth, and promote healthy skin and shiny coats.
- Carbohydrates: While carbohydrates serve as an additional energy source, cats, as obligate carnivores, have no biological requirement for them. Dogs, on the other hand, can utilize carbohydrates for a quick energy fix and benefit from the dietary fiber they provide.
Micronutrients are essential vitamins and minerals that act as chemical catalysts for metabolism, bone health, nerve signaling, and immune function. While only needed in small amounts, deficiencies and excesses can have devastating effects.
- Vitamins: Organic compounds (like Vitamin A, B-complex, D, and E) that regulate metabolism, assist vision, and support healthy development.
- Minerals: Inorganic elements (like calcium, phosphorus, and iron) that are essential for strong teeth, skeletal structure, and fluid balance.
Water: The Ultimate Nutrient
Water is the single most vital nutrient in your pet's diet. Accounting for roughly 60% to 70% of an adult pet’s total body weight, water facilitates digestion, nutrient absorption, temperature regulation, and toxin elimination.
Did You Know?
A pet can lose nearly all its body fat and half its muscle mass and still survive, but a loss of just 10% of its body water can lead to severe, life-threatening illness.¹ Ensuring constant access to clean, fresh water and incorporating moisture-rich foods is non-negotiable.
Transitioning to "What We Should Feed"
Making the switch from standard feeding to intentional feeding doesn't have to happen overnight. By focusing on high-quality macro- and micronutrients, prioritizing hydration, and choosing brands that value ingredient integrity, you are investing in more healthy years with your companion.
Look for commercial options that prioritize whole-food ingredients, minimal processing, and transparent sourcing. Here are a few outstanding options from RAWZ that align directly with these optimal nutrition principles:
- New Zealand Venison Recipes: In our quest to elevate pet nutrition, RAWZ sources premium pasture-raised venison for four wet food recipes - two for cats and two for dogs. NZ venison is exceptionally lean, packed with high-quality protein, and naturally rich in essential vitamins and minerals. Combining this novel protein with goat’s milk for digestion or NZ green-lipped mussels for joint support, these recipes deliver 100% complete and balanced nutrition with targeted functional benefits.
- 96% Meat Pâtés with Goat’s Milk: Formulated with protein-rich goat's milk, RAWZ's 96% meat pates are a source of healthy hydration and naturally support digestion. Offering a variety of high-quality protein sources like turkey, rabbit, chicken and beef, these complete and balanced recipes offer more ways to improve the lives of your pets.
- Targeted Solutions Products: Designed to address everyday health challenges through nutrition, RAWZ formulated three specific functional recipes: Immune, Hip & Joint, and Digestive Support for cats, along with three Digestive Support options for dogs. Free from gums and enriched with fenugreek seeds and nutrient-rich broths, these recipes offer tailored support in every serving.
References:
¹ Hand, M. S., Thatcher, C. D., Remillard, R. L., Roudebush, P., & Novotny, B. J. (Eds.). (2010). Small animal clinical nutrition (5th ed.). Mark Morris Institute.
