Pet diet and nutrition

Providing your furry friend with the right nutrition is key to a long and healthy life. Support their well-being with a balanced diet and daily access to fresh, clean water.

Just like humans, different pets have different dietary needs based on a number of factors, such as their age, breed, lifestyle, and any existing health conditions. Our vets and nurses are here to help you understand how to provide them with a balanced diet so they can thrive.

Why pet nutrition matters

A well-balanced diet supports your pet’s overall health, helping to:

✔ Maintain a healthy weight
✔ Support strong bones and muscles
✔ Promote a healthy coat and skin
✔ Aid digestion and gut health
✔ Boost immune function

Feeding the right diet at every stage of life—from playful puppyhood or kittenhood to their golden years—supports longevity and vitality.

Our vet team recommends specialised diets for pets with specific health conditions, such as obesity, kidney disease, or allergies.

Managing your pet’s weight

Sadly, pet obesity is on the rise and can greatly reduce your furry friend’s lifespan. Maintaining a healthy weight helps to prevent long-term health issues such as diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease.

You can help your best mate stay in shape through regular exercise and carefully following the feeding guidelines on the packaging of their food. We also recommend avoiding extra-high-fat treats. For pet parents who prefer to prepare their pet’s food with fresh ingredients, we recommend chatting with our team about the appropriate serving size.

If you are concerned about your pet’s weight, our vets can assess their body condition and offer tailored advice during a consultation. Our vet nurses can also assist you with a more general diet and nutrition advice in a nurse consult.

For more information on weight management, visit our Weight Management Guide.

Choosing the right food for your pet

When selecting food for your pet, consider their age, breed, lifestyle, and any existing health conditions. Our nurses can provide general dietary recommendations to help you choose the most suitable nutrition plan for your furry friend and our vets can offer more in-depth advice for pets with specific needs.

• Cats are carnivores, so a meat-based diet is essential. Feeding your cat a vegetarian diet can cause severe health problems.
• Dogs are omnivores, meaning they are able to eat and remain healthy with both animal and plant-based food in their diet.

All animals at Lort Smith are fed Hill’s Pet Nutrition food. We also sell their scientifically formulated food range on-site, ensuring your pet has access to the best dietary options available.

How do you feed a puppy or kitten?

Nutrition during the first few months of your pet’s life is vital to their lifelong health. Puppies and kittens need special food formulas because they have different nutritional needs during their rapid growth phase. We recommend feeding them a puppy or kitten food formula until they are 12 months old.

All puppies and kittens up to 6 months old should also be offered three meals a day, with their daily recommended amount of food divided into three meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner. This is because they have a high metabolism and are growing rapidly. Smaller, more frequent meals help them manage their energy and avoid low blood sugar.

Different nutritional requirements for large-breed dogs

Puppies of breeds that will be larger than 25kg at adult weight have different nutritional needs compared to smaller puppies. They need to have controlled levels of calcium and fat to moderate their rate of growth. This will help them to reach their full-grown size while also maintaining joint development.

If you have any questions about your pet’s nutrition, book in with our friendly team to talk it through. We’re here to help ensure your pet stays happy and healthy through every stage of life!