Why we ask each question
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Dog or cat, and name | Dogs and cats have different recipes and different portion needs. The name keeps the plan personal. |
| Your goal | Tells us what matters most to you right now, alongside your other answers. |
| Gender and neutered or spayed | Neutered and spayed pets often need fewer calories. |
| Birth date | Energy needs change with age, from puppies and kittens to seniors. |
| Breed (optional) | Useful background about your pet. Skip it if you're not sure. |
| Weight | The starting point for calculating daily grams. |
| Body shape | Helps fine-tune the portion, since pets of the same weight can carry it differently. |
| Activity level | More active pets burn more calories. |
| Sensitivities | Flags a protein your pet needs to avoid. |
| Delivery city | Sets your delivery fee and delivery time at checkout. |
I don't know my pet's exact weight
An estimate is totally fine. If you'd like to be more accurate, try one of these:
- The bathroom scale trick: weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding your pet. The difference is your pet's weight.
- Cats: weigh your cat inside the carrier, then subtract the weight of the empty carrier.
- Your vet's records: the weight from a recent check-up works well.
- Large dogs: ask your vet clinic if you can use their scale next time you pass by.
Once you know the exact weight, update it with Edit Pet in My Pets so portions stay accurate. See My pet's needs have changed.
Choosing the right body shape
Look at your pet from above and from the side, and gently feel along their ribs.
| Body shape | What you'll usually notice |
|---|---|
| Underweight | Ribs, spine and hip bones are easy to see, with very little fat to feel |
| Athletic | Lean and muscular, ribs easy to feel, a clear waist |
| Standard | Ribs easy to feel under a thin layer of fat, a visible waist from above, tummy tucked up from the side |
| Chubby | Ribs harder to feel, waist less obvious |
| Overweight | Ribs hard to feel under fat, no visible waist, a rounded tummy |
A quick check: run your fingers over your pet's ribs. In a healthy shape they usually feel like the back of your hand. If you're unsure, your vet can tell you at the next check-up.
Activity level
- Couch companion: short walks, lots of naps. Many indoor cats fit here.
- Moderately active: daily walks and regular play.
- Highly active: long runs, working or sporting dogs, or very energetic pets.
Choose what fits a typical week. In the Saudi summer many pets move less during the day, so if your pet's routine changes a lot with the seasons, update their profile when it does.
Sensitivities
Choose a protein only if your pet has reacted to it before or your vet has told you to avoid it. If you're not sure, choose None and check the full ingredients on each product page. Our allergies and sensitivities guide shows which recipes avoid which proteins.
More than one pet
Complete the questions for your first pet, and Build My Box will come back for the others. Each pet gets their own portion, and their food can arrive together in one box. Already subscribed? See Add another pet.
If your pet is very young, pregnant or nursing, has a medical condition or eats a vet-prescribed diet, please check with your vet before changing food. See Puppies and kittens and When to talk to your vet.