Do Kittens, Puppies and Senior Pets Need Special Food?

Many people who adopt a kitten or puppy believe that their new four-legged friend needs to have "special" pet food for the first year of its life. Many people also think that when their cat or dog reaches the golden years, they need to change them over to a "senior" pet food formula. It's a common misconception that these "stage of life" formulas - kitten food, puppy food and senior pet food - are essential for the health and well-being of our animal companions.

This is exactly what the manufacturers of these pet foods would like you to believe. Yet if you compare the guaranteed analysis and ingredient list of kitten food, puppy food and senior pet food to one created "for all life stages," you'll see that these stage of life foods are mostly just a marketing tool.

Pet food manufacturers are all jockeying to secure a loyal customer base, and the best way to do that is with more options to choose from. Adding kitten food, puppy food and senior pet food to their line enables them to command more shelf space and have a higher visibility with consumers. They know that many people who buy a certain brand of food for their kitten or puppy, are likely to switch them to the same brand of adult food later on. If they can be that brand, it makes the job of marketing their food a whole lot easier.

Although growing kittens and puppies do need more food than adult pets, they don't necessarily need a special "stage of life" food. Further, many of these kitten and puppy food formulas cost more, yet their nutritional value differs very little from the same brand's adult formula. There's also the issue of quality to consider. A substandard brand will not offer the same nutritional value as a premium and/or holistic brand, regardless of whether the food is labeled as being for adults or kittens/puppies.

A high-quality food that's formulated for all life stages and made with real meat and healthy ingredients instead of icky things like by-products, fillers and chemical preservatives, is a far better choice for your kitten or puppy. CANIDAE® All Natural Pet Foods and other companies produce great dog and cat food that is formulated to meet the AAFCO Nutrient Profiles for all life stages. This means just what it says - that the food is nutritionally complete whether you have growing kittens and puppies, lactating females, adult dogs and cats, or senior pets.

That being said, some premium and holistic pet food brands do offer puppy, kitten or senior formulas that differ somewhat from their adult formulas. Their kitten and puppy food typically contains more calories, along with the addition of vitamins, probiotics and enzymes to promote healthy growth. There is also puppy food for large breeds and giant breeds that is designed to slow growth slightly, which may help to prevent hip dysplasia and other joint problems later in life.

Holistic pet food formulated especially for senior cats and dogs may contain more natural digestible fiber and herbs that can help them stay healthy in their old age. Some senior pet foods are also lower in fat, protein and calories which may help older, less active pets stay at a healthy weight. Regardless of whether you choose an all life stages formula or a senior pet food, it's extremely important to feed your elderly dog or cat a high-quality food. Senior pets need good nutrition to keep their aging bodies, joints and immune system functioning properly. Inferior food can contribute to conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, urinary tract problems and even a shorter life span.

As responsible pet owners, it's up to us to choose the very best food for our dogs and cats. Whether you have a kitten, puppy, adult or senior pet, it falls on you to do your homework, read pet food nutrition labels, visit pet forums, and ask other pet owners for their opinions. It's vital to become as informed as possible, to ensure that the food you choose for your pet is right for them, whether it's kitten food, puppy food, or pet food formulated for all life stages.

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