The pet food aisle often feels overwhelming. Packaging promotes grain-free, raw, high-protein, vet-approved and human-grade options.
Your dog might eat almost anything placed in front of them, but they still need balanced nutrition. Pets cannot explain how their food makes them feel, but their bodies often reveal whether their diet suits them.
From stools and body condition to skin, energy and appetite, these five areas help you assess your pet’s nutrition.
1. Check Their Stools
Stools provide one of the clearest indications of digestive health.
Healthy signs in dogs:
- Firm and log-shaped
- Easy to pick up
- Chocolate brown
- Neither extremely hard nor soft
- Passed one to three times per day
Healthy signs in cats:
- Firm without being dry
- Segmented
- Deep brown
- Usually passed once per day
Nutrition-related warning signs include:
- Frequent runny stools
- Mucus in the stool
- An unusually large amount of stool
- Straining or constipation
- Extremely dry or pale stools
- Excessive gas
- A strong, unpleasant smell
A sudden change lasting longer than two or three days deserves veterinary attention, especially when accompanied by vomiting or lethargy.
Ongoing stools which seem acceptable but never healthy might point to unsuitable food, too many rich table scraps or excessive treats.
2. Assess Their Body Condition
A healthy weight affects more than your pet’s appearance.
Even 1 kg of additional weight places considerable strain on the joints and organs of a small dog or cat. Excess weight also shortens a pet’s lifespan.
Complete a quick rib check every week.
For dogs and cats:
- Run your hands lightly over the ribs. You should feel them with gentle pressure without seeing them protrude.
- Look at your pet from above. A visible waist should appear behind the ribs without forming an extreme hourglass.
- Look from the side. The belly should rise from the chest towards the back legs rather than hanging straight down.
If you need to press firmly to feel the ribs, your pet is likely carrying excess weight. Speak to your vet about a suitable eating plan.
Visible ribs, spine or hip bones might indicate underfeeding or poor nutrient absorption. Contact your vet promptly.
The feeding guide printed on the packaging provides a starting point rather than a fixed rule.
Less active pets often need smaller portions, while more active animals need more food. Adjust portions according to body condition and activity level rather than weight alone.
3. Examine Their Coat and Skin
Your pet’s skin and coat often reflect their nutrition.
Healthy signs in dogs:
- Shiny coat
- No excessive grease or flaking
- Minimal dog smell
- Skin free from constant itching and redness
- Ears and paws free from recurring yeast problems
Healthy signs in cats:
- Glossy, smooth coat
- Minimal dandruff
- No bald areas linked to excessive grooming
Possible nutrition-related warning signs include:
- Dull, dry or brittle fur
- Coarse coat texture
- Shedding beyond normal seasonal changes
- Flaky dandruff
- Greasy coat
- Hot spots
- Recurring ear infections
- Paw licking
- Scooting
- Itchy face
- Slow wound healing
Recurring itching, ear problems, paw licking and scooting sometimes point to a possible food intolerance.
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from quality fats such as fish oil support skin health. If added oils do not reduce itching, speak to your vet instead of repeatedly switching proteins.
4. Monitor Their Energy
Food provides your pet with fuel. Suitable nutrition should support steady energy throughout the day rather than repeated spikes and crashes.
Healthy signs in dogs:
- Interest in walks
- Playfulness at appropriate times
- Ability to settle and rest calmly
- Bursts of puppy energy followed by proper rest
Healthy signs in cats:
- Short periods of hunting-style play
- Climbing and exploring
- Deep sleep between periods of activity
Cats are often most active around dawn and dusk. They also sleep for between 12 and 16 hours each day.
Energy-related warning signs include:
- Hyperactivity followed by a sudden crash
- Restlessness at night
- Difficulty settling
- Lethargy
- Loss of interest in walks or games
- Constant begging immediately after meals
Persistent begging might point to insufficient calories, protein or fibre. A medical issue is another possible cause.
Puppies and kittens growing too slowly or too quickly also need attention. Excess calories in large-breed puppies are linked to skeletal problems.
Arrange a veterinary visit if your pet suddenly becomes tired despite eating well.
5. Look at Their Eyes, Teeth, Nails and Appetite
Good nutrition also appears through less obvious physical signs.
Healthy signs include:
- Bright, clear eyes
- Pink, moist gums
- Teeth which are not crumbling prematurely
- Strong nails which do not crack frequently
- Consistent appetite in dogs
- Strong backs and hind legs in cats, even when the belly appears saggy
Warning signs include:
- Excessive tearing or eye discharge
- Persistent bad breath
- Poor appetite
- Loss of muscle across a cat’s back while weight gathers around the belly
- A dog refusing complete and balanced food for longer than 24 hours
Dental disease is mainly linked to dental care, but ongoing bad breath and poor appetite might also signal a dietary problem.
Cats need high levels of animal protein. Muscle loss across the upper body alongside increased belly weight might suggest insufficient protein or poor protein quality.
Arrange Regular Nutritional Assessments
Some signs are difficult to recognise at home. Your pet might be showing signs of poor nutrition without you noticing them.
Ask your vet to complete a nutritional assessment during your pet’s annual check-up.
The assessment should include your pet’s diet, weight and lifestyle. Regular reviews help identify health risks early and support a healthy body condition.
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