Feeding a new dog or cat: the basics

Most first-week feeding problems come from changing too much at once. Start with what your pet already eats, then move, slowly if at all, to a complete food made for their species and life stage. This page explains what that means on an Indian shelf, how to judge portions, and where treats and home food fit.

Keep the current food for now

Ask the breeder, shelter or previous family exactly what your pet eats, how much and how often, and buy the same food for the first days. A move is already a big change. If you later switch foods, mix the new food in gradually over several days. Cornell’s Feline Health Center gives the same advice for cats: switch from the old food gradually.

Source: Cornell: choosing and caring for your new cat. Checked 26 October 2026.

Choose a complete food for the right life stage

The single most useful words on a pet food pack are the ones that say it is complete: that it supplies every nutrient the animal needs as its whole diet. WSAVA’s Global Nutrition Committee explains that foods labelled for “short-term”, “intermittent” or “complementary” feeding should make up only a small part of the diet, 10% or less, unless a vet is supervising.

The label should also say which life stage it is made for. AAFCO (in the US) and FEDIAF (in Europe) give pet food manufacturers recommended nutrient levels that differ for growth, adult life and reproduction. Foods labelled “for all life stages” are formulated to meet the higher needs of growth and reproduction. For a puppy or kitten, look for a food that covers growth.

Sources: WSAVA: selecting pet foods; Cornell: feeding your cat. Checked 26 October 2026.

Cats need food made for cats

Cats are obligate carnivores: they rely on nutrients found only in animal products, and need a diet high in protein, moderate in fat and low in carbohydrate. Cornell adds that supplements are usually unnecessary on a complete diet and can be harmful without a vet’s approval. Feed your cat a complete food made for cats rather than sharing the dog’s bowl.

Source: Cornell: feeding your cat. Checked 26 October 2026.

Questions worth asking a pet-food brand

Marketing words such as “premium” or “holistic” tell you little about nutrition. WSAVA suggests owners and vets ask a manufacturer questions like these, and be cautious about any brand that cannot or will not answer:

• Do you employ a qualified nutritionist (a PhD in animal nutrition, or board certification in veterinary nutrition)?
• Who formulates the recipes, and what are their qualifications?
• What quality checks do you run on ingredients and finished food?
• How many calories are in a gram or a cup of this food? (WSAVA notes calorie content is only required on labels in the US, so in India you may need to ask.)
• Do you make the food yourselves, or is it “made for” you by another factory?
• Is there a phone number or email where I can ask about specific nutrient levels?

Source: WSAVA: selecting pet foods. Checked 26 October 2026.

Measure meals and watch body shape

The feeding guide on a pack is a starting point for an average animal, not a rule for yours. Measure each meal with a marked scoop or a kitchen scale, and ask your vet what a healthy weight and body shape look like for your pet. WSAVA publishes body condition score charts that vets use to judge whether an animal is too thin, ideal or overweight. Cornell describes obesity as the most common nutrition-related problem in cats, linked to arthritis and diabetes.

Sources: WSAVA nutrition toolkit; Cornell: feeding your cat; WSAVA: selecting pet foods. Checked 26 October 2026.

Treats: under 10% of the day’s calories

WSAVA’s treat guides for dogs and cats say treats should always make up less than 10% of daily calories and should never replace a meal. They also warn against:

• bones, whether cooked or raw;
• for dogs, excessively hard chews such as antlers and hooves;
• unprocessed raw animal treats, which carry a risk of passing on germs;
• table scraps, which can be unhealthy or dangerous.

An easy habit: count out part of the daily food in the morning and use it for training rewards through the day.

Sources: WSAVA: treats for dogs; WSAVA: treats for cats. Checked 26 October 2026.

Fresh water, all day

Keep a clean bowl of fresh water out at all times and wash it daily. Cornell notes that wet (canned) cat food is at least 75% moisture while dry food is only 6 to 10%, so a cat on dry food gets most of its water from the bowl. Some cats drink more readily from a running fountain.

Sources: Cornell: feeding your cat; Cornell: feline heat safety. Checked 26 October 2026.

What about home-cooked food?

Many Indian families feed pets from the home kitchen. WSAVA points out that developing a balanced recipe is complex and needs nutrition knowledge that is not part of the standard veterinary course. If you want to cook for your pet, ask your vet to help you find a recipe designed by a qualified veterinary nutritionist rather than improvising, and never share dishes made with onion, garlic, salt or the other foods on our toxic list.

Source: WSAVA: selecting pet foods. Checked 26 October 2026.

Feeding checklist

• Same food as before for the first days; change gradually.
• Pack says “complete” and names the right life stage (growth for puppies and kittens).
• Meals measured, not guessed.
• Treats under 10% of daily calories; no bones.
• Fresh water always available.
• Dry food stored sealed and off damp floors (see our storage criteria).