Ultimate Guide to Pet Nutrition 2025: What Vets Feed Their Own Pets 🐶🐱

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Pet food shelves are packed with labels—grain-free, raw, freeze-dried, natural, organic. But what matters when it comes to your pet’s nutrition? And what do veterinarians feed their pets?

I’m Dr. Duncan Houston, veterinarian and founder of Ask A Vet. I’ve worked in emergency clinics, rescue shelters, and with pet food brands. I’ve also fed dozens of my foster animals, so here’s what counts when choosing your pet’s food.

🧬 What Makes a Good Pet Food?

• 🔍 Complete and balanced according to AAFCO or FEDIAF guidelines
• 📄 Transparent ingredient sourcing
• 🧪 Formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists
• 🏭 Backed by feeding trials and manufacturing quality control

🥩 What Ingredients Matter Most?

• ✅ High-quality animal protein (chicken, fish, lamb, beef)
• ✅ Digestible carbs (rice, oats, barley, sweet potato)
• ✅ Healthy fats for skin, coat, and energy
• ✅ Omega-3s (from fish oil or flaxseed)
• ✅ Vitamins and minerals tailored to life stage

🚫 What Ingredients to Avoid

• ❌ Artificial colors, flavors, preservatives
• ❌ Unnamed “meat by-products”
• ❌ Excess fillers like corn gluten or soy meal as top ingredients
• ❌ Boutique exotic ingredients without safety research

🐶 What Vets Feed Their Own Pets

Surveys from AVMA and other veterinary networks show most vets choose:

• Commercial dry or wet foods from trusted brands like Hill’s, Royal Canin, Purina Pro Plan
• Some fresh or air-dried diets like Ziwi Peak or Fidelis
• Supplements only when indicated by health conditions

📅 Life Stage Nutrition – What Your Pet Needs

🐾 Puppies & Kittens

• Higher protein and energy needs
• Calcium and phosphorus balance is critical for growth
• Choose a “puppy” or “kitten” labeled food

🐕 Adults

• Maintain a healthy weight, muscle, and skin condition
• Needs vary based on breed, activity, and body condition

🧓 Seniors

• Reduced calories, increased joint support
• Easier-to-digest formulas are often needed

🥗 Raw & Home-Cooked Diets – Are They Safe?

Only if balanced by a veterinary nutritionist. Otherwise, they can cause:

• Calcium-phosphorus imbalance
• Vitamin D toxicity
• Undercooked bones and bacterial contamination

If going raw or homemade, use tools like Balance It or consult a vet nutritionist directly.

🛠️ Tools for Feeding Success

• Dual Pocket Dispenser – Carry training treats and poo bags with ease
• Snuffle Ball – Turn mealtime into enrichment

🔁 Transitioning Between Foods

• Start with 25% new food + 75% old food for 2–3 days
• Then 50/50 mix for 2–3 days
• Finally, 75% new + 25% old before full switch
• Monitor for loose stools or GI upset

🔗 Bonus Tip: Ask A Vet for a Nutrition Plan

Use Ask A Vet to get a custom nutrition recommendation for your pet based on weight, breed, life stage, allergies, and health goals.

📋 Summary Excerpt

Not sure what to feed your dog or cat? A vet shares the facts about real pet nutrition, how to read labels, what to avoid—and what vets use themselves.

❓ FAQs

• Q: What should I feed my puppy?
  A: A balanced puppy food with proper calcium, phosphorus, and DHA. Avoid adult food or raw without vet input.
• Q: Is grain-free food better?
  A: Not always. Some grain-free foods have been linked to heart issues. Grain isn’t harmful unless your pet has a true allergy.
• Q: Can I cook my dog’s meals myself?
  A: Only with a complete recipe from a veterinary nutritionist. Most home-cooked diets are unbalanced without supplementation.