Differentiate between dog food and cat food. Dogs and cats have different nutritional needs, so if you own both you must feed them separate diets. Dogs thrive on a wide variety of foods, and a high-fiber, low-fat diet will help sustain optimal health. Cats require a higher ratio of protein and different mix of nutrients than dogs.

Watch your pet's weight. Obesity stresses the body and can eventually bring on joint pain, blood sugar problems, high blood pressure, organ failure and even a heightened cancer risk. You can get a quick, if rather vague, estimation of your pet's body mass by feeling his midsection; if you cannot feel his rib cage, he may be obese. An accurate measurement, however, requires a veterinary evaluation.

Administer healthy snacks. If your pet requires the occasional treat, be careful about what you feed him. Table scraps, for instance, contain too much fat, salt and other ingredients harmful to animal health, and some human foods can even prove toxic. Healthy treats include potatoes, apples, green beans and broccoli, and some pets genuinely enjoy these items. Ice cubes are also a welcome and cool treat for summertime.

Modify the diet to account for age. Puppies and kittens obviously require plenty of high-protein food to fuel their boundless growth and activity levels, but an adult animal can generally do well enough on a single meal each day. Sedentary elderly pets may need reduced portion sizes.

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