Pet nutrition, explained
All guides
How to read a pet food label
Five parts of the bag that tell you what is really inside, and what the marketing leaves out.
4 min read
Why we compare foods per 1000 calories
Wet and dry food cannot be compared by the percentages on the bag. This is the fair way.
3 min read
Puppy and kitten growth, and what a percentile means
A growth chart shows where your pet sits among similar pets. The trend matters more than any single weight.
4 min readPuppy growth chart: how big will my puppy get?
Read your puppy's percentile, estimate adult size, and turn a goal weight into safe daily calories. Kittens too.
8 min readIs my dog a healthy weight? The body condition score
A 1 to 9 scale you can check with your hands in a minute, and what each step means.
4 min readSafe weight loss for dogs: how fast is too fast
Aim for about 1 to 2% of body weight a week. Here is how to set a goal that is safe, and what to look for in the food.
5 min read
Foods that are dangerous for dogs and cats
A short list of everyday foods that can seriously harm a pet, and what to do if one is eaten.
3 min read
Home-cooked pet food: what is easy to miss
Cooking for your pet can work, but a few nutrients are hard to get right without help.
4 min readGeneral information, not veterinary advice. Last reviewed: 21 Oct 2026.