Are you Feeding Your Pet the Right Food?

With countless opinions and hundreds of options, choosing the right pet food is challenging. This article will cover the basic dietary needs of cats and dogs. 

Cats and dogs have different nutritional requirements. Feeding dog food to cats or cat food to dogs can pose health risks to both. Nutritional needs change throughout a pet’s life. Puppies and kittens require additional calories, protein, calcium and DHA to support health, growth and development. Senior pets have lower calorie, sodium and phosphorus requirements. If your pet has an underlying disease your veterinarian may recommend a specific diet to maintain your pet’s health. 

Puppy and kitten food should be fed for the first 12 months and then switched to adult food. Large and giant breed puppies should be fed food specifically labeled for “Large Breed Puppies.” With the wrong diet these dogs grow too quickly and could develop painful skeletal and joint disorders such as hip or elbow dysplasia.  Large breed puppy food is formulated to slow growth allowing the puppy’s immature bones and cartilage to develop correctly.  

Most puppies and kittens should be fed three to four times daily for the first 6 months, and then decreased to twice daily. If they go too long between meals they can become hypoglycemic and seize. Senior food is recommended for pets about 7 years of age. When it’s time to transition, do it gradually – over seven-10 days – by mixing a little more of the new food each day. 

It doesn’t usually matter whether you feed dry or wet food as long as it is nutritionally balanced. However, food with a high moisture content is recommended for cats. In the wild, cats get their hydration from prey. Since domestic cats no longer hunt for their food, wet food can help mimic this natural source of hydration. This helps to support a cat’s urinary tract and kidney health. 

Table scraps and treats are generally not recommended and they are an added expense. A few pieces of their regular food make a great treat. Cheerios are a healthy inexpensive treat and they are low in salt, sugar and fat. My dog will do anything for three Cheerios. 

How much to feed your pet depends on many factors like breed, age and activity level. I have found that the feeding guide on pet food labels tends to recommend more food than what the average pet needs. Take a picture of the food label and bring it to your next veterinary appointment. The doctor can help you calculate the right amount of food.

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