COMPLETE PET NUTRITION

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for guidance on pet nutrition, feeding routines, or choosing the right dog or cat food? 

We’re answering the questions real South African pet owners keep asking us and we’ve gotten first-hand insight from a qualified South African vet, so you can make confident decisions about your pet’s health and nutrition.  

About Complete Pet Nutrition

Complete is a long-standing, trusted South African brand that has been in the market for over 20 years. We offer a wide variety of ranges designed for every life stage and every breed size and quality is our priority. Our goal is to make scientifically formulated pet food affordable and accessible to local pet owners. Our team uses high-quality proteins (such as chicken, beef and lamb) and maintain a “no-compromise” approach to ingredient selection. Proudly a part of the Pet Food Industry Association of Southern Africa (PFI), all Complete pet food undergoes regular, independent testing to ensure it meets strict safety and nutritional standards.  
 
At Complete, we’re not just developing and selling pet food.  
We do everything with heart. 
 
We want to make sure you have every resource at your disposal as a pet owner to make the right nutritional decisions for your pet. Contact us for support if you have more questions. 

No. Complete is a trusted South African pet brand and we’ve been in the market for over twenty years. While evolving and recently moving over to new ownership, Complete maintains the same quality nutrition pet owners know and love.

At Complete, our team are dedicated to developing specialised formulas that meet the nutritional needs of South African pets at every stage of life.  
 
Here is a breakdown of the ranges we offer at Complete: 
 
For dogs: 
• Puppy [26% Protein]: Highly digestible and filled with nutrients to support growth and healthy development during early stages.  
• Maintenance [20% Protein]: A balanced daily diet for adult dogs, enriched with protein to sustain a healthy lifestyle. Available for small and large breeds. 
• Classique+ [22% Protein]: A high-protein recipe designed to support muscle health and a healthy immune system. Available for small and large breeds. 
• Elite [24% Protein]: A comprehensive formula, designed for active dogs. It provides joint and bone care alongside energy-enriched proteins for high-performance needs. 
• Vital+ [18% Protein]: Perfect for older dogs. This range is enriched with calcium and phosphorus to maintain strong teeth and bone density as dogs age. 
 
To round out your pet’s diet, we also offer a variety of wet foods and healthy treats to keep them happy and motivated. 
 
For cats:  
 
• Kitten [32% Protein]: A nutrient-rich, highly digestible formula designed to support healthy growth, brain development and strong immune function during the early stages of life. 
• Adult Cat Food [28% Protein]: A balanced daily diet formulated to meet the nutritional needs of adult cats. Made with high-quality proteins, carbohydrates and fats, this recipe contains all the essential vitamins and minerals (including taurine) to support heart health, vision and overall condition. 
 
We also offer wet tinned food for supplementary feeding. Including wet food in your cat’s diet can help support hydration alongside dry food. 

We are a proudly South African brand. Every bag of Complete pet food is locally manufactured, which means we adhere to national food regulations and safety protocols to ensure only the best for your pets. 

As members of the Pet Food Industry Association of Southern Africa (PFI), we undergo consistent regulatory testing to ensure our nutrition meets the highest quality and safety standards for your pet.

Yes. As a proudly South African brand, we’re passionate about making premium-quality nutrition accessible to local pet owners without compromising on value.

Each Complete bag is carefully labelled to help you make the right choice for your fur baby. In order to choose the right food for your pet, there are a few things you need to look out for.  
 
Start by identifying the life stage of your pet. For dogs and cats, this will be clearly marked on each bag. Refer to the packaging for clear guidance on this.  
 
Size and weight are also an important factor. For dogs, Complete offers variations for small and large dogs. Follow the guide below to find out which category your dog fits into: 
 
• Small breed: up to ±10 kg adult weight 
• Medium breed: ±10–25 kg 
• Large breed: ±25–45 kg 
• Giant breed: 45 kg and above 
 
Lastly, be sure to look at the nutritional benefits and see if they correlate with what your animal needs. For example, highly active pets may benefit from higher protein and energy formulas, while those less active may require more moderate energy levels. 

Complete pet food is available at a wide range of pet stores, veterinary outlets, and retailers across South Africa. 
 
To find a stockist near you, visit our website and use the Store Locator or contact us directly and we’ll guide you to your nearest retailer.  

Feeding & Everyday Care

The main difference lies in pellet size and nutritional quantity. Complete pet food is carefully tailored to the size of your pet, and each recipe is specifically tailored to suit different body types and growth patterns.  

Small to medium breed food is designed for dogs with smaller mouths and faster metabolisms. While large to giant breed food is formulated to support bigger bodies that grow differently and place more strain on their joints.  

Feeding the correct formula for your dog’s size is essential in order to support healthy development. 

If you’re unsure which option is best for your dog, consult your vet for guidance. 

The way you store your pet food can actually impact nutritional quality and freshness for your pet. Here’s what we recommend: 
 
• Store your pet’s food in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.  
• Reseal the food bag tightly after each use or place food in an airtight container to help preserve freshness. 
• Store the food off the floor and away from damp areas to prevent contamination (and ants creeping in). 
• Always check the expiry date and make sure you use the food before the best-before date. 
 
Proper storage can make a huge difference and ensure that your pet gets the absolute best. 

Dogs are often very enthusiastic at mealtimes, which can sometimes affect their digestion. 
 
If your dog tends to eat too quickly, you might consider: 
• Using a slow-feeder bowl or specialised feeding mat: these are designed to encourage slower, more mindful eating. 
• Dividing their daily portion into smaller meals:  offering smaller portions throughout the day can help reduce large bites and support better digestion. 
• Adding half a cup of warm water to dry food: this softens the food and can slow down eating habits.  
 
Taking small steps to pace mealtime can go a long way in supporting healthier digestion. 

Vet Insights on Pet Nutrition

Protein is an essential nutrient, it aids in muscle maintenance, immunity, coat condition and helps dogs feel fuller for longer.  

The quality of a protein source is often more important than the quantity. Each dog will have varying protein needs according to their age, activity levels and health. 

Growing puppies and dogs that are moderate to highly active or even geriatric and have lost muscle mass require higher levels of quality protein than an average dog would.  

Dogs with underlying kidney problems should be fed a lower protein diet to help alleviate the side effects of decreased kidney function.

Taurine is an essential amino acid found in animal-based proteins such as meat. Cats cannot synthetise adequate amounts of taurine and so they require all their taurine needs to be met through their diet.  

Dry food should contain between 3-12% moisture and is generally more calorie dense. This supports longer shelf life and often has dental benefits.  

Wet food contains between 60-80% moisture. While this is often seen as a treat, but what a lot of pet owners don’t know is that indoor cats should consume at least 30% wet food to maintain a healthy diet. Often indoor cats don’t drink enough water which is detrimental to urinary health.  

The short answer is “no”.   

Most table scraps will have added sodium, flavourants, additives, garlic, onions, high fat content or risks of small fragments of bone or cartilage which pose risks of toxicity or choking.  

Feeding of table scraps becomes a ritual that often leads to obesity and fussy eaters which is a set of problems on their own.  

The best food for a pet is a well-balanced and professionally formulated diet researched and safely manufactured according to their needs. 

Dog food is not a suitable long-term substitute for cat food. Cats are “obligate carnivores”, which means they have unique nutritional requirements that differ significantly from those of dogs, who are omnivores. 

Most critically, dog food lacks the necessary levels of taurine, an essential amino acid cats cannot produce themselves. A deficiency in taurine can lead to irreversible blindness (retinal degeneration) and a fatal heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Dog food is also typically too low in protein, fat, Vitamin A, and arachidonic acid to sustain a cat’s health. 

Puppies and kittens have a higher nutritional demand due to rapid growth and development. They need more calories (sometimes double that of an adult), protein, and healthy fats to support their intense growth phase. 

Young pets also require specific levels of calcium and phosphorus to develop strong bones, especially large breed dogs.  

Still have questions? Click here to contact our team directly so we can provide guidance tailored to your pet’s needs. 

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