How do I choose the right food for my dog or cat?
Choose the right food for your dog or cat based on four factors: life stage (puppy/kitten, adult, senior), breed size (small, medium, large, giant), activity level (sedentary, moderate, active), and any medical conditions requiring a prescription diet. Always check the AAFCO statement on the bag to confirm the food is nutritionally complete. Use the Breed & Life Stage Matcher below for a personalized recommendation — and every prescription diet is verified by a licensed PharmD before it ships.
- AAFCO Certified Formulas
- Hill's · Royal Canin · Purina · Blue Buffalo
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What food should I feed my pet?
The Breed & Life Stage Matcher recommends a food formula based on your pet's species, breed size, life stage, activity level, and any special nutritional needs. Every recommendation includes AAFCO compliance status, calorie target, and a matched formula from the Rural King Pet Pharmacy catalog.
How much should I feed my pet?
Daily feeding amount depends on your pet's weight, body condition score, and activity level. Use the Calorie & Portion Calculator to get a starting recommendation — then adjust based on body condition over 4 weeks. Most feeding guides on the bag are starting points, not exact numbers.
What does the AAFCO statement on pet food mean?
The AAFCO statement is a legal claim on the label that says the food meets minimum nutritional requirements for a specific life stage. If the statement is missing, the food is not nutritionally complete and should not be a pet's primary diet. Here's what a real AAFCO statement looks like — broken down piece by piece.
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What questions do farm families ask about pet nutrition?
Farm and ranch families ask about AAFCO statements, grain-free diets, food transitions, portion sizes, prescription diets, and how long a bag lasts. Real questions, structured answers, reviewed by a licensed pharmacist.
The AAFCO statement is a legal claim on the label that says the food meets minimum nutritional requirements for a specific life stage. Example: 'Formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages.' If the statement is missing, the food is not nutritionally complete.
No. Grain-free is not inherently better. The FDA has investigated a potential link between grain-free diets and canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in some breeds. Unless your pet has a confirmed grain allergy (rare), grain-inclusive food is the standard recommendation.
Transition slowly over 7–10 days. Mix 25% new food with 75% old for 3 days, then 50/50 for 3 days, then 75/25 for 3 days, then 100% new. Fast transitions cause digestive upset.
A 30-lb bag of dry dog food lasts approximately 3–5 weeks for a 40-lb dog. A 15-lb bag of cat food lasts approximately 4–6 weeks for a 10-lb cat. Use the Calorie & Portion Calculator above to get an exact estimate based on your pet and the bag size.
Yes. We carry the full range of Hill's Prescription Diet, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet, and Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets. Prescription diets require a valid Rx — every order is verified by a licensed PharmD before it ships.
Use body condition scoring (BCS) — a 9-point scale where 4–5 is ideal. You should be able to feel the ribs but not see them, see a visible waist tuck from above, and feel a slight abdominal tuck from the side. If you can't feel the ribs, your pet is overweight.