Nutrition & Diet

The Nutrition section covers what to feed your dog and why: buyer's guides, ingredient explainers, label-reading basics, and feeding strategies for life stages from puppy through senior.

36 articles

Featured in Nutrition & Diet

A Great Dane drinks from a wide stainless steel dog water fountain on a nonslip mat.

Nutrition & Diet

Best Dog Water Fountain: 4 Dog-First Picks for 2026

Compare four dog-first water fountains by capacity, material, power, cleaning work, noise evidence, and dog-size fit, with clear limits for large and multiple dogs.

Webvet Editorial Team

August 18, 2026

All Nutrition & Diet articles

Whole-food dog nutrition ingredients arranged on a wooden cutting board around a stainless steel dog bowl: chicken, salmon, carrots, peas, brown rice, sweet potato, and blueberries.

Nutrition & Diet

What Makes a Dog Food Complete and Balanced? A Vet's Guide

Complete and balanced means a dog food supplies every essential nutrient in the right proportions for a specific life stage. Here is how to find the AAFCO statement on the bag, read the label in order, and spot the foods that fall short.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

May 20, 2026

Brindle boxer watching small portions of soft treats, dried meat, carrot coins, and crunchy biscuits on a shaded porch table

Nutrition & Diet

Healthy Dog Treats: Best Picks and Safe Portions

Compare four healthy dog treat formats by ingredients, calories, purpose, and dog-specific fit, then calculate a safer daily treat portion for everyday use.

Webvet Editorial Team

Jul 28, 2026

Border collie focused on a trainer delivering one tiny treat during an outdoor reward-based training session

Nutrition & Diet

Dog Training Treats: Best Picks and Reward Strategy

Compare four dog training treat formats by size, texture, calorie fit, and reward value, with a three-level reward ladder and practical session math for everyday training.

Webvet Editorial Team

Jul 28, 2026

Calico cat sniffing wet food on a dining table while a cupcake remains safely covered under a glass cloche

Nutrition & Diet

Can Cats Taste Sweet? Why Sugar Doesn't Taste Sweet to Cats

Cats cannot taste sweetness because the T1R2 side of their sweet receptor is nonfunctional. Learn what cats taste instead, why they may lick desserts, and which savory rewards fit them better.

Webvet Editorial Team

Dec 1, 2025

Adult dog sitting attentively in front of an empty bowl in a warm kitchen, illustrating a consistent dog feeding schedule

Nutrition & Diet

Dog Feeding Schedule: Why Meal Timing and Consistency Matter for Canine Health

A consistent dog feeding schedule supports digestion, weight management, and behavior. See how often to feed by age, portion control basics, and routine tips.

Dr. Athena Gaffud

May 17, 2026

Gray-muzzled senior standard poodle eating calmly from a raised wooden double-bowl stand in a living room

Nutrition & Diet

Are Elevated Dog Bowls Good or Bad? A Vet-Reviewed Look

Elevated dog bowls are a genuine comfort aid for some dogs and a question mark for others. Here is what the actual bloat research found, which dogs should and should not use a raised feeder, and how to pick the right height.

Webvet Editorial Team

Jul 19, 2026

Ginger-and-white cat batting kibble out of a transparent puzzle ball on a living room rug in afternoon sun

Nutrition & Diet

Cat Puzzle Feeder Guide: Science, Types, and Best Picks

Puzzle feeders and slow feeders put your cat's foraging instinct back to work. This guide covers the enrichment science, the problems each feeder type solves, DIY options, a staged introduction protocol, and the few products we genuinely recommend.

Webvet Editorial Team

Jul 19, 2026

Chocolate Labrador eating kibble from a blue spiral-maze slow feeder bowl on a wooden deck, seen from above

Nutrition & Diet

Best Slow Feeder Dog Bowls: Vet-Backed Picks for Fast Eaters

A slow feeder dog bowl turns a 30-second gulp-fest into a safer, calmer meal. Here are the best vet-backed picks by dog size, eating speed, and material, plus how to match difficulty to your dog.

Webvet Editorial Team

Jul 19, 2026

Senior woman filling an automatic cat feeder hopper with kibble as her longhaired gray cat watches

Nutrition & Diet

Are Automatic Feeders Good for Cats? A Vet-Reviewed Answer

Are automatic feeders good for cats? For most healthy adults, yes: measured meals on a schedule support portion control and weight management. But they are the wrong tool for some cats, and they are never a cat sitter.

Webvet Editorial Team

Jul 19, 2026

Beagle eating from an automatic dog feeder with a clear kibble hopper in a laundry room

Nutrition & Diet

Best Automatic Dog Feeder: 6 Picks for Every Size (2026)

We compared hopper capacity, kibble size limits, power backup, and app control across six feeders to find the best automatic dog feeder for every size of dog, including large breeds and multi-dog homes.

Webvet Editorial Team

Jul 19, 2026

Man checking a live pet-camera feed on his phone while his Siamese cat eats from a camera feeder across the room

Nutrition & Diet

Best Cat Feeder With Camera: 4 Smart WiFi Picks (2026)

We compared the current field of WiFi smart feeders and picked the 4 best camera-equipped options for watching and feeding your cat or dog remotely, plus the 2.4GHz WiFi check, privacy basics, and vet-informed monitoring tips no other roundup covers.

Webvet Editorial Team

Jul 19, 2026

Calico and black-and-white cat eating side by side from the two stainless bowls of a dual-bowl automatic feeder

Nutrition & Diet

Best Automatic Cat Feeder for Two Cats (or More): Vet Picks

Dual-bowl or microchip? We match every multi-cat feeding problem (food stealing, different diets, separate schedules, one cat overeating) to the feeder that actually solves it, with real prices and honest limitations.

Webvet Editorial Team

Jul 19, 2026

British Shorthair cat eating from a microchip pet feeder with an arched clear cover in a modern apartment

Nutrition & Diet

Best Microchip Cat Feeder: Top 3 Picks for Multi-Pet Homes

SureFeed vs PawsPik RFID vs Closer Pets MiBowl: we compared the three leading microchip feeders head to head on chip compatibility, capacity, battery life, and price to find the best pick for multi-pet homes and prescription diets.

Webvet Editorial Team

Jul 19, 2026

Orange tabby cat eating from a white automatic cat feeder in a sunny kitchen while its owner makes coffee

Nutrition & Diet

The Best Automatic Cat Feeder for Every Budget (2026 Picks)

Our vet-informed roundup ranks the best automatic cat feeders across budget, mid-range, and premium tiers, from the $29.99 Cat Mate C200 to the SureFeed Microchip Feeder.

Webvet Editorial Team

Jul 19, 2026

A dog sitting beside a bowl of air-dried Sundays dog food at home

Nutrition & Diet

Sundays for Dogs vs JustFoodForDogs: Air-Dried vs Fresh

A head-to-head comparison of Sundays for Dogs air-dried food and JustFoodForDogs fresh gently cooked recipes, covering ingredients, recipe variety, price, convenience, and owner reviews to help you pick the right bowl.

Webvet Editorial Team

Jul 18, 2026

A healthy adult dog sitting beside a bowl of simple, whole-food kibble on a clean kitchen floor

Nutrition & Diet

Limited Ingredient Dog Food: What It Is and Which Dogs It Helps

A practical guide to limited ingredient dog food: what a LID is, how it differs from novel-protein, hydrolyzed, and grain-free diets, which dogs it can help support, and how to read the label.

Webvet Editorial Team

Jul 18, 2026

Four bowls of fresh cooked dog food with whole vegetables and lean meat on a kitchen counter

Nutrition & Diet

The Farmer's Dog vs Ollie vs Freshpet vs JustFoodForDogs: Fresh Food Compared (2026)

An at-a-glance comparison of four fresh dog food brands. See how The Farmer's Dog, Ollie, Freshpet, and JustFoodForDogs stack up on recipes, ingredients, vet formulation, price, and availability.

Webvet Editorial Team

Jul 18, 2026

A dog with a healthy shiny coat resting calmly beside a bowl of fresh whole-food diet

Nutrition & Diet

Vet-Recommended Diets for Dogs With Sensitive Skin

A vet-guided look at feeding dogs with sensitive skin: the skin and coat nutrients that matter, ingredients to watch, how to choose a diet, and the signs that mean it is time to call your veterinarian.

Webvet Editorial Team

Jul 18, 2026

A healthy dog with a shiny coat eating fresh whole-food from a bowl

Nutrition & Diet

Hypoallergenic Dog Food: A Buyer's Guide to Skin and Digestive Comfort

A vet-informed buyer's guide to hypoallergenic dog food. Compare novel-protein, hydrolyzed, and limited-ingredient diets, learn how to choose one with your vet, transition safely, and know what to expect on cost and timing.

Webvet Editorial Team

Jul 18, 2026

A young doodle leaping for a bowl of JustFoodForDogs fresh food

Nutrition & Diet

JustFoodForDogs Puppy Food: A Complete Feeding Guide

Which JustFoodForDogs recipes are safe for puppies? A practical guide to the brand's meals formulated to meet AAFCO growth profiles, large-breed considerations, portions by age, real monthly costs, and a gentle transition plan.

Webvet Editorial Team

Jun 26, 2026

A Labrador eagerly nosing a bowl of JustFoodForDogs fresh food

Nutrition & Diet

JustFoodForDogs for Dogs with Allergies: Limited Ingredient Vet Nutrition Guide

Is JustFoodForDogs a good fit for your itchy dog? Dr. Pippa Elliott explains food allergy vs. environmental atopy, vet-directed elimination diets, and how limited ingredient fresh recipes can help support skin health.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Jun 26, 2026

A Samoyed eating a bowl of JustFoodForDogs fresh food

Nutrition & Diet

JustFoodForDogs Feeding Guide: How Much to Feed (+ Calculator)

One consolidated JustFoodForDogs feeding guide: verified calories for the core Fresh Frozen, Pantry Fresh and JustFresh recipes, daily portions by dog weight, and how to use the brand's official calculator.

Webvet Editorial Team

Jun 26, 2026

An owner offering her senior golden retriever a bowl of JustFoodForDogs fresh food

Nutrition & Diet

JustFoodForDogs for Senior Dogs: Picking the Right Formula

A veterinarian explains how nutritional needs shift in older dogs and which JustFoodForDogs recipes fit each senior need, from Joint & Skin Support to gentle options for touchy stomachs and vet-directed diets.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Jun 26, 2026

Just Food For Dogs Joint and Skin Support, a Vet Support Fresh Frozen recipe for senior dog joint health built around pork, quinoa, kale, marine microalgae oil, and pork-stock collagen

Nutrition & Diet

Best Senior Dog Food 2026: 10 Vet Picks for Joints & Cognition

The 10 best senior dog foods of 2026, vet-vetted. Just Food For Dogs Joint & Skin Support (board-certified veterinary nutritionist formulation), Open Farm, Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind, Hill's, and more.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Jun 6, 2026

JFFD Sensitive Stomach Fresh Frozen recipe served in a stainless steel bowl with visible ground turkey, brown rice, and supporting whole-food ingredients

Nutrition & Diet

Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs: 9 Vet-Reviewed Picks

The 9 best dog foods for sensitive stomachs in 2026, vet-vetted. JFFD Sensitive Stomach and the JFFD Fish & Sweet Potato recipe, Hill's Science Diet, Purina Pro Plan, Royal Canin, and more compared.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Jun 6, 2026

Just Food For Dogs Sensitive Skin, a Fresh Frozen wild-caught white fish recipe enriched with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to nourish skin and support a healthy coat, for dogs with food-related skin sensitivities

Nutrition & Diet

Allergens in Dog Food: Top 9 Triggers and What to Feed Instead

The most common allergens in dog food are beef, dairy, chicken, wheat, and lamb. Learn which ingredients trigger food allergies in dogs, how to recognize the symptoms, and what to feed instead.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Jun 6, 2026

Homemade dog food ingredients: chicken, rice, and fresh vegetables prepared for veterinary nutritionist-reviewed canine nutrition

Nutrition & Diet

Homemade Dog Food Recipes: 5 Templates and Vet Safety Guidelines

5 homemade dog food recipes adapted from veterinary nutritionist source materials, with safety guidelines, ingredient warnings, and AAFCO balance considerations. These are starting points for veterinarian-guided feeding, not complete daily diets.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Jun 6, 2026

A stainless bowl heaped with high-protein dog food (grilled chicken, beef, salmon, peas, brown rice) with a senior yellow Labrador watching attentively in the background.

Nutrition & Diet

What Is the Right High-Protein Food for Senior and Active Dogs?

High-protein dog food can be a powerful tool for maintaining muscle, supporting recovery, and managing weight, especially in senior and active dogs. Learn what actually counts as high protein, which dogs benefit most, which dogs should avoid it, and how to choose a quality formula with the right protein level for your dog.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

May 20, 2026

A golden retriever eats enthusiastically from a stainless steel bowl on a hardwood kitchen floor while a hand reaches down with a measuring scoop.

Nutrition & Diet

How Can I Improve My Dog's Appetite at Mealtime?

A veterinarian explains the most common reasons dogs lose their appetite, when it's an emergency, what to feed a reluctant eater, and the mealtime strategies that actually help your dog start eating again.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

May 20, 2026

A stainless steel dog bowl filled with slow-cooked dog food, showing visible pieces of chicken, sweet potato, green beans, and brown rice, on a wooden kitchen counter.

Nutrition & Diet

What Is Shelf-Stable Fresh Dog Food and Is It Good for Dogs?

A veterinarian explains what shelf-stable fresh dog food is, how it's made, and whether it's a good choice for your dog. Plus how to feed it safely.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

May 20, 2026

A wire-haired terrier sits on a hardwood kitchen floor beside a stainless bowl of fresh visible-ingredient dog food, head tilted with a skeptical expression.

Nutrition & Diet

What Food Is Right for Picky Dogs? A Veterinarian's Guide

Wondering what to feed a picky dog who sniffs the bowl and walks away? Learn how to tell if your dog is truly picky or has a medical issue, which types of food most finicky dogs prefer, and the feeding strategies veterinarians use to get dogs eating again, without creating bad habits.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

May 20, 2026

Vibrant healthy adult dog with shiny coat in sunlit grass illustrating strong immune health

Nutrition & Diet

Boost Dog Immune System: Can Diet Influence Your Dog's Immune Health?

Can diet boost a dog's immune system? Yes, with key nutrients (protein, omega-3s, vitamins A C D E, zinc) plus healthy weight, exercise, and routine vet care.

Dr. Athena Gaffud

May 17, 2026

Adult dog standing between two food bowls in a warm kitchen, illustrating a careful dog food transition

Nutrition & Diet

Transitioning Dog Food: Why Sudden Food Changes Can Upset Your Dog's System

Transitioning dog food too quickly can upset digestion. Use a 7 to 10 day schedule, watch for trouble signs, and learn how to switch to fresh food safely.

Dr. Athena Gaffud

May 17, 2026