FAQs and Resources

Cats and dogs have different nutritional requirements and in almost every case, the cat’s requirement is higher. Cats have the potential to become malnourished if they are fed dog food as their primary source of calories. Cats are true carnivores, requiring a diet high in meat and meat products, with a much higher protein requirement than dogs. And along with this higher protein requirement, comes higher requirements for specific amino acids, fatty acids and vitamins. If a cat happens to ingest a bit of the dog food on occasion, it should not cause them any harm, but it should not be encouraged as a common feeding practice.

It is normally safe for dogs to consume cat foods, but this is not recommended for optimum nutrition.

The copper level in our foods is formulated within the tolerance level established by AAFCO. Copper is a necessary part of some of the enzymes that help inactivate free radicals. Thus it plays a part in antioxidant protection. It is also used for making blood cells. It is active in the metabolism of iron. Copper containing enzymes are involved in immune function.

The copper levels in our dog foods are low compared to other premium quality dog foods, especially when you take caloric density into consideration. Because our foods have such a high caloric density, most dogs will actually eat less, so the intake of copper is reduced. Dogs with copper sensitivities (i.e., Bedlington Terriers and Dobermans) perform very well on our foods! Check out the Nutritional Analysis available on our Website and speak with your veterinarian if you have any additional questions.

The abbreviation kcal stands for kilocalorie. It is more commonly known simply as a Calorie. The Calorie is a measure of energy and is a standard part of most nutrition facts labels. When you see the term kcal on a label in a dietary context, it is simply referring to the caloric value of the food.

While every animal is different, general feeding guidelines can be calculated based on the current life stage, weight of the animal and how active they are. These three factors determine how many calories are needed to meet their daily requirements. The recommended guidelines are suggested as a starting point and should be adjusted if necessary. Feel free to call Natura’s Consumer Service Department for specific product guidelines and always remember to consult your veterinarian when making any diet changes.

Many of Natura's adult formulas are balanced for all life stages, and can therefore be used for puppies and kittens as well as adult dogs and cats. In some cases the feeding charts on the packages of adult food, however, are calculated for the adult animals only. If you are feeding a puppy or kitten, please contact our Customer Service Department to obtain the correct feeding instructions.

You can switch your large breed puppy to the adult formula when the dog has achieved its full adult size and weight. This age can vary depending on the breed, but typically occurs around two years of age.

Natura has defined a large breed dog to be any dog with a mature size of approximately 60 lbs or more. The growth and development phase of a large breed dog (as well as any size dog) is the most critical and important phase of their life. Large breed puppies typically have a genetic tendency to grow too quickly and this can sometimes result in incomplete skeletal development and lifelong joint issues. Thus, it is crucial to control the growth rate of these larger puppies with the appropriate amount of calories and tightly regulated levels of calcium and phosphorus (the main constituents of bone).

As with any size of dog, it is important to keep large breed dogs lean and at an ideal body condition. Excess weight puts unnecessary stress on the joints of the animal and can cause a multitude of joint issues as the animal ages. The use of foods with lower levels of energy and minerals can be helpful in managing these larger breed dogs’ growth; therefore, large breed puppy foods are typically recommended or suggested as the best option.

You can switch to the adult food when you feel your pet has reached their full body frame size. This typically occurs around 12-16 months of age for smaller breeds. However, if you are concerned, we recommend speaking with your veterinarian to find out if your dog is ready to make the switch to an adult formula.

Requirements for dogs and cats are based on life stage. There are different requirements for different life stages; the highest requirements correlate with the most demanding stages of life (i.e., gestation, lactation, and growth), while adult maintenance requirements are lower because the animal is not subject to such drastic changes in nutritional needs. In order for a product to be labeled as “all life stages” it must meet the requirements and be appropriate to feed for every life stage (i.e., puppy, kitten, adult, senior, gestating bitch/queen, lactating bitch/queen).

For example, puppy foods are truly focused on the growth and development of puppies. However, most puppy foods are also appropriate for all life stages because they have been formulated to meet the higher requirements for growth. The nutrient requirements of puppies can be up to five times adult levels, so puppy foods typically contain higher amounts of protein, fat, fatty acids and vitamins to aid in the growth and development of the animal. In addition, special attention is given to the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA, for eye and brain development.

Senior foods are formulated to address the more subtle changes that occur as an animal ages. Typically, senior foods contain higher levels of antioxidants, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate to act as chondroprotectives (when allowed – unfortunately, by regulation, cat foods cannot include these chondroprotectives), slightly less fat to help control body weight and body condition, and slightly more protein to maintain lean muscles. Senior foods are intended to help older animals continue to live long happy and active lives.

Loose stools or diarrhea can be associated with many causes. Three of the more common ones are over-feeding, switching to a new food too quickly, or a non-food related condition.

The reason that over-feeding can cause loose stools is due to nutrient density and highly digestible ingredients. Because of this, you generally need to feed less of our foods than you may have previously been feeding. When an animal gets too much food, it creates a system overload and their body reacts by producing loosely formed stools. By reducing intake to the appropriate feeding amount, the stool returns to normal in a day or two.

Switching foods too quickly often causes loose stools. It can take about 4-6 weeks for the average pet's digestive system to completely adjust to a new food. By taking up to three weeks to switch foods, you can make this transition much easier for them.

If you do not feel that either of these explanations fits your situation, we recommend consulting your veterinarian.

A new pet food should be gradually introduced to your animal by mixing it with their current food. For a nice, slow transition, replace the old food with the new food in small increments over the course of a three week period. It can take 4 to 6 weeks for a pet's digestive tract to fully adjust to a new diet. If digestive upset occurs, transition more slowly.

Natura does not provide prescription type diets. Your veterinarian can help you to determine whether one of our formulas, if any, would be appropriate for your pet’s condition. Our Consumer Service Department will be happy to provide you with nutritional information for our dog and cat foods to help you and your veterinarian to make this decision. Your veterinarian is encouraged to reference naturavet.com for additional information about some potentially useful foods like the Innova Flex Stews.

Small amounts of gas are a normal product of digestion. Some dogs produce more gas than others. Excessive flatulence may be caused by overeating, eating too fast, or a change in diet. If your pet has just switched foods, the problem may disappear on its own after a few weeks. If the pet is very young, the flatulence may diminish as their digestive system matures.

Things you can try:

• Feed smaller meals more frequently.
• Make sure the pet is being fed the appropriate amount.
• Cut out all other food supplements.
• Help your pet to eat more slowly by feeding them on a flat plate or cookie sheet, or putting a full, unopened can in the middle of their bowl, making them work around it to get the kibble.
• If symptoms persist, you may want to speak to your veterinarian to rule out any potential medical issues.

Every bag and can has an expiration date printed on it, which indicates one year from the date of manufacture for the dry foods and treats, and two years from the date of manufacture for the canned foods.

The expiration date is located on the bottom seal of the front panel on the larger bags. On the smaller bags, the expiration date is on the top of the back panel, or the top of the front panel. On the treat bags, the expiration date is located near the bottom of the back panel. And for all cans, the expiration date is stamped on the bottom of the can.

After opening a bag, we recommend using it within 3 months. Once a can is opened, refrigerate any unused portion and use within 72 hours.

For our dry dog and cat foods, we recommend that you keep the food in the original bag with the top tightly rolled down, and store in a cool, dry, preferably dark place. If you want to store it in another container, we recommend storing the entire bag in the container rather than dumping it out of the bag and storing the container away from excessive light and heat. We do not recommend freezing the food.

For our canned foods, they should also be protected from excessive heat. Opened cans can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days (72 hours).