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How Can Kitten & Puppy Nutrition Affect Their Development? 

Pet Diet & Nutrition 3 min read
Photo of two young cats eating a small dish of wet food to illustrate the importance of kitten and puppy nutrition.

What does it take to build a healthy kitten and puppy nutrition plan? As pet parents, we want to give our furbabies the best possible care from day one! This should include feeding them a healthy and balanced diet that provides all the necessary nutrients to keep them happy and healthy. Here’s why:

The Right Diet for Young Pets

A proper diet is essential for pets of all ages, but younger furkiddos need a balanced meal to grow and develop into healthy cats and pups. Failing to ensure quality food can lead to nutritional voids. This lack of essential nutrients can deter your kitten or puppy’s body development, leading to long-term health issues. 

Young pets risk developing nutritional voids if their diets are not carefully planned and monitored.

Young pets require a diet rich in protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals to support their growth and development. Protein is essential for building strong muscles, while fats provide energy and support organ function. Vitamins and minerals play a crucial role in maintaining healthy bones, teeth, and overall health. 

Another factor that can contribute to nutritional void is overfeeding. While it’s important to ensure your pet is eating enough, feeding them too much can lead to an unbalanced diet and lacking essential nutrients. Overfeeding can also lead to obesity, which can have a negative impact on your pet’s health and development.

One of the easiest ways to ensure your pet’s diet offers all of the properties they need to grow strong is by controlling the ingredients and amounts yourself. If you are interested in a home-cooked diet that is nutritionally rich, our in-house veterinarian at NHV can create a personalized plan with your furkiddo’s age and needs in mind.

Age-Specific Pet Food

Photo of a young brown dog eating something from a human's hand to represent the importance of kitten and puppy nutrition.

Another common cause of nutritional voids in young pets is feeding them low-quality or poorly formulated pet food. Not all pet food is created equal, and some may not provide the necessary kitten and puppy nutrition source for optimal health. That is why it’s essential to choose high-quality pet food that is specifically formulated for your pet’s specific needs.

For instance, food formulated for an adult dog may not offer the necessary nutrients for a puppy to grow into a healthy pup. Similarly, feeding a kitten food designed for dogs will cause nutritional voids. Lastly, offering food prescribed for a specific health condition to a perfectly healthy puppy or kitten will most likely harm their development.

So if you opt for giving commercial pet food, look for products formulated specifically for young pets. Read the label and ingredients to make sure it contains a balanced mix of protein, fat, and carbohydrates. It helps if the food also contains added vitamins and minerals, like calcium and vitamin D, which are essential for your pet’s growth and development. 

An alternative way to improve your kitten or puppy nutrition is by adding natural supplements to their food. Formulas like NHV Multi Essentials are designed to help fill nutritional voids by supplying herbs rich in vitamins and minerals. This herbal blend also helps improve the absorption of nutrients in dogs and cats of all ages. Multi Essentials is safe for young pets that are fully weaned and vaccinated, and can easily be added as a food topper. 

Worms Effects on Kitten & Puppy Nutrition

Intestinal parasites are one more recurrent cause of nutritional voids in young pets. They are common in all pets, but younger ones are particularly more sensitive to them. If not treated, these worms can cause anemia, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms can quickly worsen and be fatal in puppies and kittens.

If you are looking for natural deworming support, we recommend NHV Inulin-PK. This natural herbal blend works as a parasite cleanser and helps protect the gastrointestinal system of puppies and kittens. 


Nutritional voids in young pets can cause slow growth, poor coat quality, lethargy, and a weakened immune system. If you notice any of these signs, it is crucial to consult your veterinarian immediately for a thorough examination and treatment. Our team of pet experts is also here to ask any questions you might have about kitten and puppy nutrition! Click the button below to start chatting with us. 

Dr. Rebeca Oliveira DVM

Dr. Rebeca Oliveira DVM

Dr. Rebeca is a holistic veterinarian from Brazil with a passion for natural and integrative medicine. She’s been studying integrative medicine and alternative (and healthier) diets since 2015, and now started to study the power of herbs with the NHV Family. In her spare time, you can find her spending time with her golden retriever, Kuga.

Published: March 16, 2023

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