Worried about your pet?
We guide you.

The dog is a semi-carnivore (omnivore with a meat-dominant diet) — 1,700 taste buds, caloric intake from 130 to 3,500 kcal/day depending on size.

Key guidelines:

• Taurine: essential amino acid for cardiac function — verify its presence in grain-free foods. Diets high in legumes (peas, lentils) over 30 days alter metabolism similarly to dilated cardiomyopathies (Bakke & al., BMC Vet Research 2022).
• Phosphorus: not all forms are equal — the source of phosphorus determines renal impact. Inorganic phosphorus (additives) is more harmful than protein-bound phosphorus.
• Calcium: safe upper levels for adults established by research — avoid bone overloading, especially in large-breed puppies.
• Obesity: over 50% of dogs are overweight. Study of 50,000 dogs (12 breeds): overweight dogs live up to 2.5 years less. 70% of obese dogs before age 3 had excessively rapid growth.

By size: Small (<10 kg), Medium, Large, Giant — each size category has specific impacts on growth duration, joint health, energy requirements, and lifespan. Reference growth curves: 20 million measurements / 4 million dogs / 5 size groups / 2 sexes.

By breed:

• Labrador: specially shaped kibble to reduce eating speed (tendency to swallow without chewing). EPA/DHA for joints. Controlled calories (breed prone to obesity).
• Bulldog / brachycephalic: donut-shaped kibble graspable by brachycephalic jaws. Enhanced digestibility.
• Yorkshire Terrier: small kibble size, high palatability, skin and coat care.
• Senior (>7 years): digestibility preserved or improved with adapted food (Schauf & al. 2021).

The cat is an obligate carnivore — its nutritional needs are fundamentally different from the dog's.

• 475 taste buds only (vs. 1,700 in dogs, 9,000 in humans). It cannot taste sweetness — confirmed genetic absence of the sweet taste receptor.
• Natural macronutrient preference: 70% protein / 30% fat.
• Taurine is essential: cardiovascular health, fertility, vision — cats cannot synthesize enough on their own.
• Arachidonic acid (omega-6) must be provided in food — cats cannot synthesize it from linoleic acid (unlike dogs).
• Preformed vitamin A required — cats cannot convert beta-carotene.
• CKD: 2nd leading cause of death in cats >5 years. A predictive model based on 750,000 consultations can detect risk 2 years before clinical signs (Bradley & al., JVIM 2019).
• Neutering: significantly increases weight gain risk — adjust portions immediately after the procedure.
• Hydration: wet food naturally increases water intake, reducing urinary concentration and stone risk.

By breed:

• Maine Coon: XXL kibble for large mandible. Enhanced joint support. Cardiac care (taurine).
• Persian: almond-shaped kibble for easy grasping with flat face. Long coat care.
• Siamese / Oriental: formula supporting the breed's characteristic lean muscle mass.

The gut microbiome influences your pet's weight, immunity, and even behavior.

• Puppy: the microbiome evolves significantly in the first weeks of life — diet during this period has long-term effects.
• Weight loss: abundance of Ruminococcaceae promotes faster loss (>1%/week). A low-fat / high-fiber diet significantly increases microbial diversity.
• Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA): reduce adiposity and improve glucose metabolism.
• Cat: dry vs. wet food produces different oral microbiomes. A kitten's microbiome influences lifelong health.

A diet rich in fermentable fiber (FOS/MOS prebiotics, psyllium, beet pulp) promotes microbiome diversity.