One of the most common questions pet parents ask is, "What's the best food to feed by pet?" But, there's no one right answer; it truly depends on the nutritional needs of each animal. That's why it's crucial to learn some general information about pet nutrition to help you make healthy choices for your four-legged family member. Yes, a lot goes into deciding what to put in your furry friend’s food bowl. So to make things easier, we’ve outlined some important points for you to consider.   What To Do -- And What NOT To Do For starters, there are some common mistakes that you should avoid, like overfeeding your pet, giving your pet store-bought food full of filler ingredients, and underestimating the importance of a balanced diet. All these factors can potentially lead to health issues down the road. Next, it’s important to know which kinds of wholesome foods and supplements you can give your pet. A dietary boost can help get your pal into tip-top shape, depending on his or her nutrition needs. You also have to decide whether to feed your dog or cat a kibble-based, wet food, cooked, or raw diet, depending on his or her health, as well as your budget and lifestyle. Yes, there’s a lot to consider! By far, one of the simplest and smartest ways to make sure your companion’s nutritional needs are being met is to consult with an animal or veterinary nutritionist. These professionals know about animal health and nutrition and can help you create a diet plan that caters to your companion’s specific needs. That said, it’s just as important to choose the right animal nutritionist for you and your pet. For instance, this person should be well-educated (with the proper credentials), accommodating of your budget and lifestyle, and most importantly, should genuinely care about the wellbeing of your beloved pal.   Your Pet Depends On You! Our pets depend on us to care for them, since they can't make these decisions for themselves. From preparing their meals to making sure their emotional and physical needs are met, it's our job to keep them as happy and healthy as possible. You don’t have to be an expert to be a wonderful pet parent. However, you do have to have a little background knowledge about how to care for your companion -- and that includes getting expert guidance from veterinarians and nutritionists you trust. But while their help is crucial, at the end of the day, the decisions you make for your four-legged friend are ultimately up to you. So, listen to the advice of trusted professionals, do some research, and use your best judgment. After all, no one knows your pet quite as well as you! -- About the Author: Suzie Cyrenne co-founded HomeoAnimal over five years ago, and has worked in naturopathic pet medicine for more than six. Day-to-day, she works as the lead manager for the homeoanimal staff and specializes in training [...]