Importance of Pet Nutrition

Pet nutrition involved feeding pets what they need to lead healthy lives. Prentice Hall states that animals require various nutrients, such as carbohydrates and proteins, to meet their biological needs.

  1. Growth

    • Young pets, such as puppies and kittens, need an appropriate amount of protein to sustain their rapid growth. Drs. Race Foster and Marty Smith state on their PetEducation.com site that puppies do not get their required amount of protein, vitamins, calories and minerals from eating adult dog food.

    Weight

    • Proper nutrition prevents weight problems as well. A grown dog, for example, will become overweight if fed only puppy food.

    Health

    • Improper nutrition may lead to health problems such as hip dysplasia. PetEducation.com states improper amounts of calcium, either too little or too much, can have a detrimental effect as the dog's hip joint is developing.