Can Dogs and Cats Eat Food Formulas Not Suitable for Their Age?

Today, VIF is here to answer the question: Can dogs and cats eat food formulas that are not suitable for their age?

But before we reveal the answer, let’s first look at how the nutritional and energy requirements of dogs and cats differ at each life stage.

• Puppies and Kittens: In their early stages, puppies and kittens are growing rapidly and experiencing many internal changes. Therefore, they require a high amount of nutrients and energy. Due to their small size, they can’t eat as much as adult dogs and cats. Thus, their food is packed with protein, energy, and minerals like calcium and DHA, which are crucial for growth. At VIF, we make sure to include DHA in our formulas to support the development of the nervous system in young pets.
• Adult Dogs and Cats: At this stage, their bodies are strong and their growth is stable. Their systems function well and they can efficiently digest their food. Therefore, their diet should be balanced and appropriate in terms of energy and nutrients. Adult dogs and cats do not require as much energy and protein as when they were younger. Hence, if adult pets eat food meant for puppies and kittens, they might become overweight.
• Senior Dogs and Cats: Senior dogs and cats have slightly different needs. For most senior dogs, their energy requirements decrease as they age, so their food contains lower energy levels to maintain a healthy weight. On the other hand, senior cats need more energy and nutrients because their digestive systems become less efficient. Therefore, their food should compensate for the nutrients they can no longer absorb effectively to prevent them from becoming too thin. VIF has also added ingredients to our senior pet formulas to enhance digestive efficiency.

After reading this, it’s clear that feeding pets food formulas not suited to their age is not recommended. Each life stage of dogs and cats comes with different energy and nutritional needs. This is why VIF offers specific food formulas tailored for each age group. We care about providing quality food that is free of synthetic additives, made with real meat (not by-products), and enriched with appropriate nutrients for each stage of life. So, pets of all ages can enjoy delicious and nutritious meals with VIF.