A friend might tell you that their dog is doing incredibly well on a particular food. Or you may read enthusiastic reviews about a certain brand and wonder whether it could be a good choice for your own pet too.

It could be. But what works well for one animal is not automatically the best choice for another.

Age, activity level, weight, size, individual sensitivities and even eating habits can all influence which food is the best fit.

Your pet’s nutritional needs do not remain the same throughout their entire life.

A puppy or kitten is still growing and developing. During this stage, their body needs different amounts of energy and nutrients than it will once they reach adulthood.

For adult dogs and cats, the focus shifts more towards maintaining a healthy weight and providing nutrition that suits their daily activity level and lifestyle.

Needs can change again later in life. Some senior pets become less active, while others remain energetic and active for many years.

Age can therefore tell you something, but your pet’s individual life stage and physical condition are just as important.

Not every dog or cat is equally active. A dog that goes on long walks every day, takes part in sports or spends a lot of time outdoors will generally use more energy than a dog with a more relaxed lifestyle.

There can be considerable differences between cats too. An active outdoor cat that climbs, hunts and explores has a very different lifestyle from a cat that spends most of their time indoors.

That is why it is not only the amount of food that matters. The amount of energy the food provides should also match the amount of energy your pet uses.

Your pet’s lifestyle therefore plays an important role in determining which food is the right fit.

Two dogs of the same breed and age can have very different body conditions. That is why the number on the scales alone does not tell you everything. It is also important to consider whether that weight is appropriate for your pet’s build and overall condition.

Does your pet tend to gain weight easily? They may need a different portion size or food with a different energy density than a pet that struggles to maintain their weight.

Treats count too. Snacks, chews and training rewards all provide additional energy and should therefore be included when looking at your pet’s complete diet.

So don’t just look at what goes into their food bowl. Consider everything your pet eats throughout the day.

A Chihuahua and a Bernese Mountain Dog are obviously very different in size, but size is not the only difference between them.

It can be particularly important during growth. Large dogs develop differently from smaller dogs, and their food needs to support that development appropriately.

There can also be practical differences. The size and shape of the kibble may matter, for example, as well as how much energy is provided by a relatively small amount of food. But size should never be the only factor you consider.

It is simply one of the pieces of the puzzle that help determine which food is suitable for your dog.

Not every dog or cat responds to the same ingredients in the same way.

Some pets have a more sensitive digestive system. Others may tolerate certain protein sources or ingredients less well. Specific needs relating to skin and coat can also play a role when choosing food.

In these situations, a different recipe or protein source may be a better fit. That does not automatically make one food better or worse than another. What matters is what your individual pet tolerates well and what suits their needs.

If your pet develops clear, persistent or recurring physical symptoms, it is also advisable to consult your veterinarian.

A food can look perfect on paper and still be left untouched in the bowl every day. Taste, smell and texture therefore matter too.

Some dogs will happily eat almost anything, while others are far more selective. Cats can also have very specific preferences when it comes to flavours and textures.

That does not mean you should simply feed whatever your pet likes most. Quality and nutritional value remain important.

But even a high-quality food has little value if your pet consistently refuses to eat it.

The right food therefore needs to match not only what your pet needs, but also what they are actually willing to eat.

Breed can sometimes provide useful information. Certain breeds can differ significantly in size, build or predisposition to particular areas of concern. But breed alone never tells the complete story.

Two Labrador Retrievers of the same age, for example, can have completely different lifestyles, body conditions and energy requirements. That is why it is often more useful to look at the individual animal behind the breed.

How old is your pet? How active are they? How much do they weigh? What is their body condition like? Are there any sensitivities? And how are they doing on their current food?

That information often tells you much more than the breed name alone.

There is no single factor that determines which food is the right choice.

You can start by asking yourself:

•  What life stage is my pet in?
•  How active are they?
•  What are their weight and body condition like?
•  How big are they?
•  Do they have any sensitivities?
•  How is their digestion?
•  What do they currently eat?
•  Do they enjoy their food?
•  Which treats and rewards do they receive in addition to their meals?

Only by looking at all of this information together can you get a clearer picture of what your pet actually needs.

That may sound strange. There are, of course, considerable differences in quality between pet foods.

But even a food made with high-quality ingredients, a transparent composition and a carefully considered recipe is not automatically the best choice for every animal.

There are really two separate questions to consider:

1. Is this a high-quality food?
Look at the ingredients, composition and transparency.

2. Does this food suit my pet?
Look at their life stage, activity level, body condition, sensitivities and eating habits.

Only when both of these aspects come together do you have a strong basis for making the right choice.

Every pet is different. And so is the right food.

Then there is no need to start looking for something else simply because someone recommends another brand or because you have discovered a new type of food.

Does your pet’s current food suit their needs? Do they enjoy eating it and are they doing well on it? Then it may simply be a good choice for them.

Your pet’s needs can change throughout their life, however. That is why it can be useful to review their diet from time to time and check whether it is still the right fit.

Don’t change their food simply because you can. Check whether there is actually a reason to do so.