What Is the Healthiest Food for Dogs and Cats? A National Pet Month Guide for Pet Owners

Written by Kelly Gredner, RVT, VTS (Nutrition)

National Pet Month is celebrated every May, and there is no better way to show your dog or cat how much they mean to you than by looking at what goes in their bowl. Not a gift. Not a toy. Food. The kind that nourishes their body, supports their energy, and helps them thrive day after day.

In this guide, you'll learn what National Pet Month is and why it matters, why food is one of the most meaningful ways to celebrate your pet, and which gently-cooked whole food meals from Tom&Sawyer are a paws-itive choice for dogs and cats this May.

What National Pet Month Is and Why It Matters

National Pet Month is observed every May in Canada and the United States as a dedicated time to celebrate the bond between pets and the people who love them. It was first established in the UK in 1994 and has since grown into a widely recognized occasion that encourages pet owners to reflect on the care and wellbeing of their animals.

Beyond the celebration, National Pet Month is also a reminder. A reminder to check in on your pet's routine, their activity levels, their coat condition, and yes, what they eat every single day. For many pet owners, it's the nudge that leads to meaningful changes.

The best part of celebrating National Pet Month isn't buying something. It's committing to something. And committing to better nutrition is one of the most impactful decisions you can make for your dog or cat.

Why Food Is the Best Way to Celebrate Your Pet

Every day, your dog or cat depends on what you put in front of them. They don't choose their meals. You do. That's why what you feed them is one of the most direct expressions of love and care you have as a pet owner.

Whole food nutrition, made from recognizable, human grade* ingredients, supports everything from digestion and energy to skin, coat, and long-term wellness. When you switch from heavily processed options to gently-cooked meals made from whole foods, you're not just changing the bowl. You're changing what your pet's body has to work with.

National Pet Month is a fitting moment to ask the question: is what's in my pet's bowl actually doing right by them?

A few things to think about when evaluating your pet's current food:

• Are the ingredients recognizable? Could you find them in your own kitchen?

• Does the food contain zero artificial preservatives?

• Is the food made under the same safety standards as human food?

If the answer to any of those is no, National Pet Month is a great time to explore what's out there.

Best Dog Food Choices for National Pet Month

The best food for your dog is one that's made from whole food ingredients, gently cooked to retain nutrients, and formulated to support their specific needs. Here are two standout recipes from Tom&Sawyer worth knowing about this National Pet Month.

Best Dog Food for Skin and Environmental Allergies

If your dog deals with itchy skin, seasonal reactions, or sensitivities that show up on their coat and paws, protein source matters. Novel proteins, meaning proteins your dog hasn't been exposed to before, are one of the most common recommendations for dogs with environmental and food-related sensitivities.

The Kangaroo recipe+ 🍁 is a single-protein, novel protein meal that fits that need. It's made with whole food ingredients, contains no chicken, no beef, no pork, no fish, no eggs, no dairy, no gluten, and no grains, making it one of the cleanest options available for dogs with sensitivities. It's also low fat, which supports dogs who need lighter meals, and it's formulated to support senior dogs as well.

Whole foods, zero preservatives, and minimal additional supplementation. That's what goes into every Tom&Sawyer recipe.

Best Dog Food for Picky Eaters and Everyday Nutrition

Some dogs just know what they want. And if you've been through the cycle of buying a bag only to have your pup walk away from the bowl, you know how frustrating that can be.

The Coconut Chicken recipe+ 🍁 is one of Tom&Sawyer's most paws-itively popular meals, and it's formally picky eater approved. Beyond palatability, it's also formulated to support skin and coat health with an omega 6 to omega 3 ratio in the ideal range. It supports dogs at all life stages, making it a great fit whether you have a young adult dog or a senior pup who still has opinions about dinner.

It's gently cooked from human grade whole food ingredients in a federally inspected human grade facility. Every batch.

Best Cat Food Choices for National Pet Month

Cats are notoriously particular. Between texture preferences, protein preferences, and general feline fur-iend independence, finding something they'll eat consistently is half the battle. Here are two Tom&Sawyer recipes worth highlighting for your kitty this National Pet Month.

Best Cat Food for Picky Feline Fur-iends

If your cat has turned their nose up at more food than you can count, the Chicken Cacciatore recipe+ 🍁 is worth a try. It's picky eater approved and formulated to support senior cats as well, with a skin and coat omega ratio that keeps coats looking their best.

It's a culinary-inspired, gently-cooked meal made from whole food ingredients, free from artificial preservatives, and formulated to meet AAFCO nutrition standards for adult cats. For feline fur-iends who know what they like, this one tends to land.

Best Cat Food for Novel Protein and Digestive Support

Cats with sensitivities, food intolerances, or those who've been on the same protein for a long time often benefit from a novel protein rotation. The Wild West Kangaroo recipe+ 🍁 is exactly that: a novel protein option for cats that also supports growth and is formulated to meet the needs of cats at all life stages.

It's gently cooked from human grade whole food ingredients and contains no artificial preservatives. For kitties who need something different, or pet owners looking to rotate proteins thoughtfully, this is a purr-fect starting point.

How Tom&Sawyer Celebrates National Pet Month Every Day

At Tom&Sawyer, National Pet Month isn't a campaign. It's every day.

Every recipe in the Tom&Sawyer lineup is gently cooked from whole food, human grade ingredients in a federally inspected human grade facility, under the same safety and quality standards that apply to food made for people. That includes zero artificial preservatives, minimal supplementation, and formulations developed by our lead nutritionist, Dr. Hannah Godfrey, PhD, Animal Nutrition, to meet and exceed AAFCO standards.

Whether you're shopping for a dog with sensitivities, a picky cat, or just a fur baby you want to give something better this May, Tom&Sawyer is ready to help you find the right recipe. Loyal Companions save on every box and get access to a Meal Plan designed around their pet's specific needs.

This National Pet Month, give your four-legged fam more than a celebration. Give them a bowl worth wagging for.

Explore Tom&Sawyer recipes and start building a Meal Plan that supports happier, healthier, longer lives™.

 

*Human grade in this context means food made from ingredients held to the same quality standards as food prepared for people, produced in a federally inspected human grade facility.

*Recipe currently available in Canada only