UK family-run pet retailer Pets Corner is sharing expert guidance to help pet owners feel more confident when choosing food for their dog or cat, following recent recall concerns that have prompted questions about what owners should look for next.

Lucy Kershaw, head of training and pet welfare expert at Pets Corner, says the most useful starting point is to focus on whether a food is suitable for the individual pet, nutritionally balanced and made with ingredients that have a clear purpose within the complete diet.

Pets Corner is also reminding owners that dogs and cats have different nutritional requirements from people. While visible ingredients, bright colours or presentation styles can feel reassuring to human shoppers, the appearance of a food is not the same as nutritional suitability for a pet.

"When recall news appears, it is natural for owners to reassess what they are feeding their pet. From a nutrition perspective, the most important question is not whether a food looks appealing to us, but whether it is appropriate for the animal eating it," says Lucy.

"A good diet should be suited to the pet’s species, life stage, size, activity level and individual needs, with each ingredient contributing to the overall nutritional balance of the complete food."

For owners reviewing their pet’s food, Lucy recommends asking the following practical questions:

• Is the food suitable for my pet’s species, age, size and lifestyle?
• Does it provide the nutrients my pet needs?
• Are the ingredients being used for a clear nutritional purpose?
• How do the ingredients work together within the complete food?
• Does my pet have any individual requirements that should guide my choice?

These questions are more useful than appearance alone. After all, dog food needs to meet a dog’s needs, and cat food needs to meet a cat’s needs.

"If you are concerned about a pet food recall, check the product name, batch code and best-before date against the details provided by the manufacturer," says Lucy.

"If your product is confirmed as affected, stop using it and follow the guidance provided. If your pet seems unwell, contact your vet for advice.

"If you are choosing what to feed next, my advice is to focus on suitability, nutrition and the individual needs of your pet rather than appearance alone. Because ultimately, the food in your pet’s bowl is not made for us. It is made for them."