We talk a lot about meat quality and digestibility here at The Thoughtful Pet Food store, but what exactly do we mean? Protein is the staple component of all high-quality pet foods. It is one of the primary sources of energy for both dogs and cats (alongside fat) and is vital for growth, development, and […]
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Dogs and cats of all breeds and sizes can benefit from added joint care. Providing a joint care regime from an early age can help delay the onset of arthritis and other inflammatory joint diseases. Many pet foods now include joint care ingredients as standard and our handy guide will help you identify them and […]
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Cardiomyopathies, or heart conditions, are defined as being “any structural (microscopic or macroscopic) abnormality of the heart that may or may not result in heart failure1“. This can include conditions such as dilated cardiomyopathy, commonly seen in dogs and is a result of the heart being enlarged, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, commonly seen in cats and […]
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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is frequently diagnosed in cats, especially senior cats. A study conducted by the Royal Veterinary College in London in 2012 found that CKD affects “up to 49% of cats older than 15 years”.1 Despite the high number of cases, in the majority of these cases the primary cause of the disease cannot […]
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As pet owners, we all know that it is perfectly natural for our dogs and cats to have the occasional scratch from time to time. Reoccurring or persistent itching and scratching can, however, be a sign that all is not well with your pet. Some pet foods contain ingredients that your pet may not be […]
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Diabetes is not uncommon in dogs and cats, however, feline diabetes is more commonly observed than canine diabetes. Feline diabetes mellitus is believed to be present in around 1 in 230 cats in the UK, with obese and older cats being at higher risk of developing the disease1. It is closely linked to pancreatitis and […]
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In this article, we look at the regulation surrounding labelling a pet food “natural” “hypoallergenic” or “Sensitive” and what is required of a pet food manufacturer before it can make these claims. We also offer our thoughts on what to consider before you buy a pet food labelled “natural”, “hypoallergenic” or “sensitive”. There has been much media attention in the last decade on […]
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Taking steps to help maintain our pets’ joint health can help improve mobility and improve their quality of life. Arthritis and osteoarthritis are a common occurrence, especially in dogs. In the UK, it is estimated that over 30% of dogs and 10% of cats undergo veterinary treatment for conditions such as arthritis. WHO NEEDS JOINT […]
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Protein is such an important part of your pet’s diet, however, it is also important to understand why your pet requires dietary protein and how it affects your pet’s health and wellbeing. Pet food packaging may not always provide you with all the information that you need. WHY PROTEIN? Dogs and cats need dietary protein […]
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