If you share a home with dogs or cats, providing them with good, healthful food can seem as complex as feeding a family of humans sometimes. But here are some basics that veterinary experts want you to know about feeding your feline and canine family members, so they'll grow up happy and healthy.
Sure, you want to please your pets, you're reluctant to disappoint them, and you want to keep their unconditional love flowing. But the mistake that many humans make is overfeeding their pets, says the American Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Feeding your dog or cat the right amount requires a careful balancing act, taking into consideration the animal's size, stage of life (puppy or kitten food vs. senior food), energy level, and the amount regular activity they get. Remember, gaining excess weight is no better for animals than it is for humans and can lead to health problems. Instead of indulging your pets with extra food, give them a steady diet of affection, the SAPCA says.
- Ask your vet to recommend the ideal feeding schedule for your animal, as well as a type and brand of food.
- Check the package of your dog food for the recommended daily serving amount. Divide that amount into two meals, says the ASPCA, and feed them to your dog in servings separated by 8 to 12 hours.
- Over time, observe your pet (energy level adequate? Eyes bright? Fur glossy? Digestion OK? Weight under control?). Adjust as needed until your arrive at the ideal "maintenance" amount for each meal. Feed your pets in controlled portions, rather than "free-choice" feeding, or trusting that the animal will stop eating when appetite runs low.
- If you feed your dog treats (for training, for instance) make sure that the treats amount to no more than 5 percent of the dog's daily intake—otherwise, you're overfeeding your pet. If you need to use treats frequently, use the smallest possible pieces each time you reward your pet.
- Check for a label on any pet food package stating that it's "complete and balanced"—a guarantee of nutritional quality that’s regulated by the Association of American Feed Control Officials.
- Check the ingredients list on the back of your pet food package. Manufacturers are supposed to list ingredients in order by weight. Ideally, you will find as the first or second ingredient protein sources such as meat, fish, and egg.
- Switching pet foods abruptly can cause digestive problems in animals. If you’re changing to a new brand of pet food, introduce it gradually by mixing it in a little at a time over a week to 10 days (25 percent new food one day, and then 50 percent new food the next day, for example).
- Remember that terms like "Premium" on a pet food package are meaningless marketing terms designed to extract extra money from your wallet. The price that you pay is actually no guaranteed of quality. On the other hand, a cheaper pet food may not be a good value if it doesn't deliver the desirable vitamins, minerals, energy, and protein to your pet.
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