One of the most frequent questions that pet owners ask their veterinarians is about what they should feed them. When it comes to their health, pets reflect what they eat. For optimal health and wellbeing, our pets need a perfect balance of nutrients in their diet consisting of proteins, fats and carbohydrates as well as vitamins and minerals, and water, of course!
Optimal nutrition is the foundation of good health and is vital in every stage of a pet's life, not only when they are first weaned and growing, but also during the transition from puppy or kitten to adulthood. Feeding an appropriate amount of high-quality food that meets the nutritional requirements of our companion animals is the best way to keep them healthy and happy. Royal Canin® has you covered at every age and stage thanks to science-backed formulas that veterinarians trust and recommend. You can be assured that by feeding your pet Royal Canin, it is in good hands for a lifetime.
Developmental Stages and Choosing the Right Food
As pets move through their life stages, it is commonly accepted that their nutritional needs will change. It is also important to understand that dogs and cats do not have the same dietary requirements - nor do all dogs have the same needs, as size, breed and other individual differences will play a role in deciding what is best.
Because our little ones are growing rapidly, it is important that their diet supports their development and includes certain nutritional requirements in greater quantities than would be required for adult dogs and cats. In this stage, pets need growth-focused foods that deliver higher amounts of protein, energy and specific vitamins and minerals in perfect balance, like calcium and phosphorous to build a strong body, ensure good health and cognitive development.
Mixing Royal Canin's wet food with kibble can also be a great option, especially to tempt fussy eaters or for variety, as a lot of cats and small dogs have quite particular preferences when it comes to aroma and texture. Added moisture can assist with hydration and Royal Canin's® wet (and dry) diets are complete and balanced, so can be fed exclusively if preferred.
Kittens
Kittens move into adulthood at about 12 months of age, when they have achieved around 90% of their adult body weight. A diet of quality kitten food up until this time helps strengthen their immune system, aids vital development, and promotes good digestion and utilisation of the food. Kittens need two to three times more energy than adult cats do to fuel proper development as they mature.
Puppies
Puppies, on the other hand, have different growth rates depending on their breed or expected adult size. Large and giant breed dogs should be fed food intended to support their growth up until 18-24 months. Breed-specific diets also offer tailored nutrient profiles for many popular breeds to cater for all their specific needs, considering sensitivities to which they may be predisposed. The Canine Care range also offers support for specific health requirements, e.g., Dental Care, Relax Care, Digestive and Urinary Care.
Royal Canin Puppy foods come in different formulations that are specially developed to support growing dogs by size in Mini (up to 10kg), Medium (up to 25kg), Maxi (up to 44kg) and Giant (over 45kg). There are diets available for specific breeds that might have particular nutritional requirements and our Vet range offers diets to assist with specifically diagnosed health issues. It's easy to choose the right formula for your puppy, either by talking to your vet or specialty retailer or by checking our website, where you will find all you need to know about selecting the right food for your dog, no matter its age.
Did You Know That Nutrition Plays a Role in Your Pets' Behaviour?
During the first few months of their lives, puppies and kittens go through an amazing transition. They are curious and playful as they explore their environment and learn new routines. Their bodies are growing, and behaviour patterns form as the neurological system develops. Regular meals of high energy food are needed to keep up this growth and super-premium nutrition offers many benefits for this critical stage. High quality, fully balanced nutrition that is easily digestible means that your growing pet can metabolise maximum energy out of their food for growth and vitality. Essential fatty acids and all the necessary vitamins and minerals help optimise physical and mental growth, which can assist with socialisation and training.
You can trust the science-backed nutritional formulas created by Royal Canin® that are tailored especially for the health and development of your pet through every stage of its life. For further information, contact your vet, specialty pet retailer or visit the Royal Canin website.
