Sarah Hormozi
Head of Science and Education, UK Pet Food
Show your love through responsible feeding. Learn how balanced, science-based nutrition can support your pet’s health and wellness.
Pets are family, and one of the best ways to show love is by giving them the right care and nutrition. Getting their diet right from the start helps set them up for long, healthy lives.
Nutrition is the foundation of wellness
Dogs and cats need a wide range of essential nutrients to stay in good shape: 37 for dogs and more than 43 for cats. ‘Complete’ pet foods are designed to provide this balance, with the right mix of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
By contrast, following human food trends, like home-cooking for pets or cutting out certain ingredients without veterinary advice, can pose risks.Our pets have different nutritional needs from our own. Feeding them wisely is one of the most important ways to support their long-term vitality.
following human food trends, like home-cooking for pets or cutting
out certain ingredients without veterinary advice, can pose risks
Maintaining a healthy weight
Keeping pets at a healthy weight is a leading challenge owners face today. Around half of dogs and cats in the UK are overweight or obese (UK Pet Food, Pet Obesity Report 2024), which can lead to health problems and reduce quality of life. Fortunately, pet obesity is both preventable and treatable. Simple steps, like measuring portions, limiting treats, monitoring body condition and keeping them active, can make a difference to pets’ overall wellbeing.
Smart, sustainable choices
Wellness also means thinking about the bigger picture. Feeding pets responsibly can support not only their health but also the planet’s. Safe, nutritious animal byproducts, such as organ meats, are widely used in pet food, helping to reduce food waste and lower the environmental footprint of livestock production. Looking ahead, alternative proteins, including plant-based, insect-based and cell-cultivated ingredients, may also play an important role in sustainable pet nutrition.
Informed choices based on fact and science
Social media can be a great place for engaging with pet content, but it’s also full of opinions and ever-changing fads. Owners need clear guidance from reliable sources. The UK Pet Food website is a one-stop resource for independent, trusted advice, offering more than 100 factsheets and guides for pet owners, vets and pet care professionals.
Visit UK Pet Food on ukpetfood.org to learn more.
Reference – UK Pet Food’s Pet Obesity Report 2024
