Holistic Pet Nutrition: Understanding Your Options

At FurlifeVets, a leading Fear Free veterinary clinic in Delray Beach, FL, we believe that your pet’s nutrition is the foundation of lifelong wellness. Whether you’re feeding a new puppy, managing a senior pet’s health, or trying to solve chronic issues like allergies or digestive problems — what goes in their bowl matters.

But with so many pet food options on the market, it can be confusing to know what’s right for your furry companion. Should you go with raw food, canned, homemade, or dehydrated diets?

In this guide, our holistic veterinarians break down the most popular pet food choices, along with the pros and cons of each, so you can make an informed decision that aligns with your pet’s needs — and your values.

1. Kibble (Dry Food)

Pros:

• Convenient and shelf-stable
• Easy to portion and store
• Cost-effective
• Widely available

Cons:

• Highly processed with high-temperature cooking methods
• Often contains artificial ingredients and fillers
• Low in moisture (can contribute to dehydration over time)

Best for: Pet parents looking for a budget-friendly and convenient option — ideally paired with fresh food toppers or hydration support.

2. Canned Food (Wet Food)

Pros:

• High moisture content — great for hydration
• Often more palatable, especially for picky eaters
• Typically less processed than kibble

Cons:

• Can be more expensive
• Must be refrigerated after opening
• Ingredient quality varies widely between brands

Best for: Pets with dental or hydration needs, or those needing a softer food texture (e.g., seniors or small breeds).

3. Raw Diet (Commercial or Homemade)

Pros:

• Closely resembles an ancestral diet
• Often includes fresh, unprocessed whole foods
• Can support skin, coat, and digestive health

Cons:

• Requires strict food safety practices to avoid bacterial contamination
• Nutritional imbalances are common if not properly formulated
• At FurlifeVets, we’ve observed an increase in tooth fractures in pets fed raw diets — especially from chewing bones or hard frozen pieces

Best for: Dedicated pet parents working closely with a veterinarian to ensure balance and safety in their raw feeding approach.

4. Home-Cooked Meals

Pros:

• Full control over ingredients
• Great for pets with food allergies or sensitivities
• Can be customized for medical conditions

Cons:

• Time-consuming to prepare
• Easy to create deficiencies without professional guidance
• Requires consistency and commitment

Best for: Owners who enjoy cooking and want a completely customized, holistic feeding plan — ideally developed in partnership with our holistic vet team.

5. Freeze-Dried or Dehydrated Diets

Pros:

• Less processed than kibble, more convenient than raw
• Lightweight and long shelf life
• Typically retains more nutrients due to minimal heat processing

Cons:

• Higher price point
• Often needs to be rehydrated before feeding
• Not all products are complete and balanced

Best for: Families looking for a middle ground between raw and kibble, with fewer preservatives and more natural ingredients.

Which Pet Food is Best? Let FurlifeVets Help You Decide

There’s no one perfect diet for every pet. At FurlifeVets in Delray Beach, we approach nutrition holistically — taking into account your pet’s breed, age, lifestyle, medical history, and your personal values.

We’ll never push one type of food over another. Instead, our goal is to empower you as a pet parent to understand your options, ask questions, and stay in control of your pet’s nutritional plan.