Pet Digest

Tailored Nutrition in Dog Food: Spotlight on Farmina’s N&D Quinoa Line Updated: August 2025 Pet food isn’t just about “chicken and rice” anymore. More and more brands are creating tailored nutrition lines —specialized formulas designed for dogs with specific health needs. One of the most talked-about examples is Farmina’s N&D Quinoa Functional Canine Diets . But are these advanced diets worth it, or are they just clever marketing? Let’s dive in. What is Farmina’s N&D Quinoa? Farmina’s Natural & Delicious (N&D) Quinoa line is a collection of grain-free, limited-ingredient recipes that use quinoa as the primary carbohydrate. The line isn’t just about trendy grains—it’s targeted for specific health concerns such as: Skin & Coat: Uses fish protein and high omega-3s to support dogs with itching, allergies, or dry skin. Digestion: Includes pumpkin and selected proteins for sensitive stomachs. Urinary Health: Formulated with cranberries and mi...

Subscription Dog Foods: Expanded Brand Guide — Why Try Them, What to Watch For Part 2 — a follow-up to “Subscription Dog Foods: Trend or Something to Rely On?” . This picks up where that post left off and expands the brand-by-brand breakdown, pricing guidance, the difference between autoship and subscription, and a deeper look at why this isn't just a passing trend. Quick connecting paragraph If you read our overview post, you already know the basics: subscription services promise convenience, customization, and fresher-feeling options than traditional kibble. Below we dig deeper into five popular companies — what makes each appealing, the real caveats pet parents should consider, and how cost and logistics factor into long-term reliability. How to read the ratings Cost rating (quick guide): 💲 = Most affordable 💲💲 = Moderate 💲💲💲 = Premium 💲💲💲💲 = High-end 💲💲💲💲💲 = Luxury / very high ...

🥕 Ways to Help Your Dog Lose Weight (Safely and Naturally) Let’s be honest — some of our pups are more marshmallow than muscle . Whether it's a few extra pounds from too many treats or a long-term weight gain issue, helping your dog slim down can improve their quality of life and even extend it. But where do you start? Here are vet-approved , natural , and dog-friendly ways to help your dog lose weight — without sacrificing love, treats, or tail wags. 🐾 1. Talk to Your Vet First Before making any changes, get a proper weight assessment and rule out medical conditions like hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, or joint pain that may be contributing to weight gain. Your vet can also help you determine a healthy goal weight. 🥦 2. Feed for the Weight They Should Be Most commercial food labels base feeding guidelines on ideal body weight, not your dog’s current size. If your dog is overweight, feeding according to their actual weight can perpetuate the problem. Adjust calori...

Why Quality Matters: Would You Rather Have a Homemade Burger or Fast Food? Let’s talk about quality. We hear it all the time when it comes to pet food—“high quality,” “premium ingredients,” “whole food based”—but what does that actually mean for your dog’s health? To explain it, let me use my favorite analogy (and trust me, once you hear it, you’ll never look at kibble the same way again). 🍔 McDonald's vs. Homemade BBQ: The Analogy That Sums It Up If I took you to McDonald’s, how many burgers do you think you could eat? Two? Maybe three or four if you're really hungry? That ultra-processed fast food goes down easy. It's light, fluffy, full of fillers and flavor enhancers—and honestly, it barely feels like food at all. But how do you feel afterward? Bloated, maybe sluggish, and if you're like many people... you might even have some “tummy troubles.” Now imagine I invite you to my backyard and grill up some burgers made with real, whole foods . Good-quality gro...

How to Read Dog Food Labels: What Matters & What’s Just Marketing How to Read Dog Food Labels: What Matters & What’s Just Marketing Whether you're feeding kibble, raw, gently cooked, or a home-prepared diet, knowing how to read a dog food label is essential. With pet food companies using a mix of science, marketing, and mystery, understanding what goes into your dog’s bowl can help you make better, more informed choices for their health. Why Label Literacy Matters Labels are legally required—but that doesn’t mean they’re always clear. Learning to decode ingredient panels and marketing buzzwords can help you: Identify high-quality vs. low-quality ingredients Avoid fillers or excessive sugars Understand if a food is truly balanced and complete Spot misleading advertising tactics 1. Ingredients List: First Ingredients Matter Most Ingredients are listed in order of weight before cooking . That means moisture-he...

Oats Over Rice: Why an Oat-Based Diet Might Be Better for Your Dog When it comes to choosing a carbohydrate source in your dog’s food, rice has long been the standard. But as we learn more about canine nutrition, oats are stepping into the spotlight — and for good reason. From digestive health to energy balance and weight control, an oat-based diet can offer your dog more than just filler. Let’s break down why oats may be the better option over rice. 1. Oats Digest Slower Than Rice – A Win for Energy and Blood Sugar Oats are a low-glycemic carbohydrate , which means they break down more slowly in the body than rice. This slower digestion leads to: More stable blood sugar levels Sustained energy , especially important for active dogs or those prone to crashes Less insulin spike, which can reduce risk of insulin resistance or weight gain 👉 Scientific Backing: A 2005 study in The British Journal of Nutrition concluded that low-glycemic index (GI) carbohydrates like oats le...

Why Vegetables Should Come Before Salt in Your Dog’s Food – And What That Tells You If you're paying attention to your dog's food labels (and you should be!), there's a small but mighty clue that can tell you a lot about what's really in the bag: the position of vegetables compared to salt on the ingredient list. Why Ingredient Order Matters In pet food labeling, ingredients must be listed in descending order by weight before cooking. This means the first ingredients are the most plentiful in the recipe. And here’s the kicker — salt is regulated to be no more than 2% of the total recipe . So if you see veggies like peas, carrots, spinach, or sweet potato listed after salt, you're looking at food with less than 2% vegetables . That’s barely a sprinkle. For a food that advertises “with garden veggies” or shows a bounty of vegetables on the bag, this can be misleading. Real, beneficial amounts of vegetables should come before salt if they’re going to have any me...

🥦 Fresh Food for Dogs: Why 20% Makes a Big Difference Have you ever wondered if it’s safe—or even beneficial—to add fresh, whole foods to your dog’s bowl? The answer is a resounding YES. In fact, studies suggest that just 20% of your dog’s diet can be made up of fresh foods and still support a complete, balanced nutritional profile. Let’s explore why this small change can lead to big health benefits for your pup. --- 🍽️ What Does a Balanced Bowl Look Like? According to pet nutrition experts, you don’t need to overhaul your dog’s entire diet to make an impact. A healthy meal can be made up of: 80% Balanced Base (like high-quality kibble, freeze-dried, or raw complete meals) 20% Fresh Whole Foods (like fruits, vegetables, cooked meats, and certain grains) This approach gives your dog the stability of a nutrient-rich commercial food while boosting it with the natural enzymes, antioxidants, and nutrients that fresh food provides. --- 🧠 Why Add Fresh Foods? Even a modest amount of fresh,...

Not All Kibble Is Created Equal – Here's the Science Behind It When it comes to feeding our dogs, it may seem like all kibble is the same — small, dry pellets conveniently bagged and marketed with shiny labels. But if you've ever wondered why your dog might be thriving on one brand and struggling with another, you're not alone. The truth is: not all kibble is created equal. Let's break down the different types and what science has to say about them. --- Types of Kibble: A Quick Overview There are three common categories of kibble you may encounter: 1. Veterinary Prescription Diets 2. Cold-Pressed or Minimally Processed Kibble 3. Standard Extruded Kibble Each one varies drastically in its ingredients, processing method, and how it interacts with your dog’s digestion and overall health. --- 1. Veterinary Prescription Diets Veterinary prescription diets are typically designed to address specific medical needs, such as kidney disease, diabetes, or gastrointestinal issues. T...

How Your Local Pet Store Can Help You Avoid Prescription Diets How Your Local Pet Store Can Help You Avoid Prescription Diets Part 4 of the Natural Wellness Series When a veterinarian prescribes a special diet, most pet owners don't hesitate. But what if there's a better way? Local pet stores—especially independent, holistic ones—often carry nutritional alternatives that are more bioavailable, less processed, and potentially more effective than prescription diets. In this post, we’ll explore why these alternatives matter and how to navigate them. The Problem with Prescription Diets Veterinary prescription foods are formulated to target specific conditions like urinary crystals, kidney disease, or food sensitivities. But many of these formulas rely heavily on by-products, corn, soy, or hydrolyzed ingredients that are poorly digestible and nutrient-poor. Despite being marketed as specialized care, they’re often not made with the same quality control you might expect from their...