To ensure your pet has a healthy diet, we recommend that you feed them premium brands. These companies use high-quality ingredients in their products. They have also done research in to what is needed by the animals and include the building blocks of good health as well as offering palatability so your pet will enjoy eating it. Generic brands will often not offer the right nutrients in the right quantities and may use poor quality ingredients. This can result in intestinal gas, irregular bowel movements and obesity.
Check the sell by dates to make sure the food is fresh when you purchase it. Store it in a cool, dry place. Keep the container or pack sealed tight to keep it fresh. Discard uneaten food and give fresh food in a clean bowl daily. Hard food (kibble) is better overall for dental health even though canned foods can be stored for longer and are usually more palatable.
Check the package for the right portion size based on your pet’s ideal weight (not on their current weight especially if they are over or underweight). Don’t offer large portions at a time and don’t allow pets to eat as much as they want. This can lead to gastrointestinal upsets, obesity and bloat which can be life threatening.
If you keep a regular feeding schedule, it will be easier to avoid indoor accidents as bowel movements are likely to be more regular as well. While older pets are often fed once or twice a day, young pets will often need to be fed three to four times while they are growing as they are usually a lot more energetic that their older counterparts and burn off more calories during the day.
Try and avoid feeding pets scraps from the table or other people food. We may think of it as a treat, but it can upset your dog’s digestion quite easily and may also lead to pancreatitis.
Make sure you purchase the correct food based on the age of your pet. Younger animals usually need foods higher in calcium, protein and energy. Older dogs may become obese from eating puppy foods. Senior dogs will need to have more fibre and less fat to stay healthy in their later years. Senior foods often contain supplements to assist with management of diseases such as arthritis in older pets.
If you have any questions or need advice on the best food to feed your pet, contact us for a consultation to tailor the diet to your pet’s specific nutritional needs. This gives you peace of mind that you are giving them the right nutrition for a longer and healthier life.