Take better care of your dog and cat

There's no single answer: it depends on the animal, its health and your situation. Natural food (cooked or BARF) often improves digestion, coat and hydration because it starts from fresh, minimally processed ingredients. Quality kibble is still a valid and convenient option. What matters is a balanced diet and, if you have health concerns, having your vet sign off on it.

BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) is a diet based on raw ingredients —meat, meaty bone, offal and some plant matter— that mimics what the animal would eat in the wild. It needs careful formulation to stay balanced and correct, hygienic handling. It isn't suitable for every case: check first if your pet is immunocompromised.

It can be, if it's well formulated. The most common mistake is cooking 'by eye': an unbalanced homemade diet can cause deficiencies over time. If you go homemade, use recipes designed by a veterinary nutritionist or rely on brands that already formulate complete, balanced meals.

Adult cats usually do better with food split into several small meals a day, since they're grazing hunters. Kittens need more frequency. The amount depends on weight, age and activity; adjust it to keep a healthy weight and avoid leaving wet food out for many hours.