Just like you, your pet’s needs vary throughout their life. Your body craves different fuel when you’re a child, teenager, young adult, and beyond, and that is no different from them. The difference is we’re able to control our own food intake, unlike our pets.

In order to keep our furry friends at their healthiest and happiest, there are many things we should factor in when choosing their food, such as age, size, activity level and more. As your pet gets older, you may notice some changes in them and that can also be a helpful indicator that it’s time to make a switch.

It may seem like mind-reading but cats and dogs have a way of showing us when it’s time to change their food. Here are the three top signs.

Your pet is entering a new stage of their life

Depending on what stage of life your pet is in, they have different nutritional needs. When determining what stage of life you dog is in, there are two main factors to consider: the size of your dog and their age. Since smaller and larger breeds grow at different rates, it takes longer for a large dog to grow into a mature adult. For small to mid-sized breeds, a puppy is up to 12 months old while for large breeds, a puppy is up to 18 months. 7-8 years is considered senior for any size of dog.

It can be difficult to admit that your dog has reached an age that is considered senior and pet parents can sometimes be in denial of that. However, older dogs have different needs when it comes to caloric intake and may require different supplements for joint support and boosting the immune system. It’s important that your pup is getting all the nutrients that they need!

Your pet’s activity level has changed

The activity level of your pet can change based on a number of things. The time of the year can be a big factor in how active your dog is in particular. Dogs tend to be more active in the summer months and, just like us, less active in winter. If that’s the case for yours, you may want to consider a higher calorie diet in the summer months when your pup has some energy to burn. As your dog ages, it also causes it to become less active and it may also cause for some adjusting to its diet.

For cats, their lifestyle is one of the most important things to take into consideration. Some cats may be more on the active side, but generally they have a tendency to lay around more. Cats also tend to have a more sensitive palette and can often get bored with one type of food, which is why Nutram offers a variety of shapes to help provide different textures for the more picky eaters that get bored with their food.

Your pet’s overall health

You know your pet best so you will likely be the first to see signs of change in their overall health. For instance, if your pet has become uncharacteristically lethargic and is lacking the kind of energy that they used to have, it could be a red flag that they’re not receiving the nutrients that they need. You may even hear and see the signs - if your pet has a rumbly stomach or dry, itchy skin it could mean that it’s time for a change in diet.

It’s also common to transition a pet’s food to a diet that is rich with antioxidants after they have undergone surgery because it helps to stimulate their immune system. An antioxidant-rich diet is also useful if your cat or dog has been showing signs of an upset stomach.

It’s natural for food sensitivities to develop in pets over time, and when that becomes evident you’ll want to look into transitioning.

To find the best match for your pet, be sure to take the Nutram Number quiz over here!

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