The Role of Fat in Your Pet’s Diet: What Every Pet Owner Should Know

Fats are a required macronutrient for both cats & dogs. Fats are a more concentrated fuel source, giving more than 2 x the number of Kilocalories per gram, compared to carbohydrates and proteins. They have many important functions including, serving as a carrier for fat-soluble vitamins, providing protection for vital organs and insulating the body to maintain temperature. Fats also enhance palatability and texture of the diet. Common sources of fat in a formulated whole food diet include animal fat, egg yolks, a variety of oils and Omega-3 Fatty acid supplementation. Every patient is an individual so the desired percentage of fat incorporated into the diet is based on a pet’s history, chronic disease processes, age, and current concerns. For pets with a chronic history of pancreatitis, or other similar disease processes, the types of fats are carefully selected and the percentage in the diet is reduced.

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At Happy Earth Pet Hospice, I offer compassionate, in-home veterinary care to dogs and cats who are navigating their final chapter. My goal is to bring peace, comfort, and connection to families in Virginia and North Carolina—supporting pets not just through the end of life, but through a deeply meaningful part of it.