Pet Nutrition Expert Interview: Is Your Pet’s Diet Working for Them? Signs That Your Furry Friend’s Diet Needs an Upgrade

• What are the most common signs that a pet’s diet may not be meeting their nutritional needs?
• How can changes in a pet’s coat and skin condition indicate dietary issues?
• What gastrointestinal symptoms should pet owners look for that might suggest a need for a diet change?
• How can a pet’s energy levels and activity be affected by their diet, and what signs indicate a problem?
• What are the best practices for transitioning a pet to a new diet to avoid digestive upset?
• How can pet owners identify and address food allergies or intolerances in their pets?
• Are there specific life stages that commonly require dietary adjustments for pets?

Ensuring that our pets receive the right nutrition is vital for their overall health and well-being. In an enlightening interview with pet nutritionist Venusha Nirmal, she emphasises that many pet owners may not realise that dietary deficiencies or imbalances can lead to a variety of health issues. From changes in coat condition to gastrointestinal symptoms and even behavioural problems, the signs that a pet’s diet may not be meeting their nutritional needs can manifest in several ways. This article explores Venusha’s insights on the most common indicators of inadequate nutrition and offers guidance on how pet owners can proactively address these issues.

What are the most common signs that a pet’s diet may not be meeting their nutritional needs?

The biggest warning sign is often illness. When pets start developing medical conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, or Cushing’s disease, that can signal a nutritional issue. Unfortunately, by the time these conditions arise, it’s often too late to make quick dietary fixes. That’s why we stress a proactive approach to nutrition.

For pet owners looking for early signs, monitor their overall wellness. Look at their skin, coat condition, digestive health, and stool consistency. Also, behavioural changes like anxiety or aggression can be linked to diet, which many don’t realise. Often, slight nutritional tweaks can help with these issues.

How can changes in a pet’s coat and skin condition indicate dietary issues?

Coat quality is key. A healthy pet’s coat is usually thick, luxurious, and smooth. Skin issues like dandruff, itchiness, redness, and hot spots are often linked to intolerances rather than allergies. These intolerances often lead to inflammation due to the pet’s diet. By supporting gut health and adjusting nutritional elements, we can help alleviate these issues and promote a healthier coat and skin.

What gastrointestinal symptoms should pet owners look for that might suggest a need for a diet change?

Stool quality says a lot about a pet’s gut health. Ideally, stools should be well-formed, not loose or pebble-like, and have a consistent shape and colour. If you’re seeing loose stools, pebbles, or frequent irregularity, it may indicate nutritional issues. For dogs and cats, flatulence, bloating, and gurgling noises are also signs of digestive issues. A lesser-known factor is anal gland expression, which should happen naturally. If the stool lacks proper consistency, it could interfere with this process, signalling an underlying issue.

How can a pet’s energy levels and activity be affected by their diet, and what signs indicate a problem?

Pets require different levels of calories based on their activity. A high-energy pet, such as one involved in agility or working tasks, will need more nutrients, especially fats, compared to a pet with lower activity levels. Signs of nutritional imbalance include constant hunger, weight loss, and, in performance animals, inadequate muscle repair or skin issues. When their nutrition aligns with their activity needs, they typically exhibit balanced behaviour, good muscle tone, and overall vitality.

What are the best practices for transitioning a pet to a new diet to avoid digestive upset?

Some pets are quite adaptable and can switch diets “cold turkey,” moving from kibble to different brands or even from fresh to cooked food without issues. I have two dogs who transitioned smoothly like this, showing no digestive issues at all. However, these are the lucky cases, and most pets benefit from a gradual transition to avoid potential digestive or skin issues, especially for those with sensitivities.

For a typical transition, we recommend mixing a small amount of the new food with the current diet, usually starting with 80% of the original food and 20% of the new food. Every two to three days, increase the portion of the new food until you reach a 50/50 balance, and allow more time at this stage if necessary, perhaps four to six days, to ensure there are no issues before fully switching.

For pets with severe sensitivities or gastrointestinal issues, we often implement a very gradual, ingredient-by-ingredient introduction guided by a nutritionist. This process can extend over several months, allowing time to identify and adjust specific ingredients to meet the pet’s needs. Frequent feedback between pet owners and our team helps us tailor each transition phase, ensuring a smoother and healthier diet adjustment.

How can pet owners identify and address food allergies or intolerances in their pets?

I’m glad you’re distinguishing between allergies and intolerances—these terms are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different reactions. True allergies are serious: they involve an anaphylactic response to a specific protein, similar to a human having a severe peanut allergy, which can be life-threatening and requires emergency veterinary care.

Intolerances, on the other hand, are much less severe and more common. They manifest through symptoms like skin irritations, digestive issues, redness, and flakiness, all signs the body is not handling a particular ingredient well. Common signs include bloating, mucus in stools, or persistent itching. Unlike allergies, intolerances don’t require emergency treatment but do call for an adjustment in diet to remove the trigger ingredient.

If these symptoms persist, the best course of action is to consult a vet who may recommend an elimination diet, where potential triggers are removed systematically to identify the culprit. And while food reactions are often ongoing, environmental allergens (like grass or seasonal pollen) are easier to identify, as symptoms typically change with exposure levels and seasons.

Are there specific life stages that commonly require dietary adjustments for pets?

There are distinct life stages that call for dietary changes. Starting with young pets, each stage has its own nutritional needs. For puppies, the first 12 months are critical for development, but with larger breeds, like Great Danes or Saint Bernards, puppyhood can extend up to 18 months since they take longer to mature. After puppyhood, most pets enter a “maintenance” phase during young adulthood where their nutritional requirements are more stable.

Then, around ages six or seven, senior diets are recommended for aging pets, especially as they may need additional support for cognitive function and mobility. Specific nutrients, like Omega-3s, essential fatty acids, and protein levels, are often adjusted in this senior phase.

For working dogs, like search-and-rescue or police dogs, performance diets are required to maintain stamina, cognitive sharpness, and physical health—these are more specialised than standard adult maintenance diets.

Cats follow a similar pattern with life stages. Kittenhood generally lasts about 12 months, but for large breeds, like Maine Coons or Norwegian Forest cats, it can extend up to 15 months to support their growth. These larger breeds often require slightly more calcium during kittenhood for bone strength, as they’ll carry more muscle mass.