Nutrition plays an important role in your animal’s life, so it is critical to understand what nutritional requirements are necessary for your cat or dog.
First, it’s important to understand what each animal needs. Dogs are technically omnivores, while cats are carnivores, which means that their nutritional requirements vary. While they need protein as a main source of food, they are also able to have grains and vegetables.
Puppies and Kittens: what to feed them and when
When you first get your puppy or kitten, it is best to know what food they have previously been on – if you are able to buy this locally, it’s best to purchase some to start with, and slowly wean them onto their new food to avoid any gastrointestinal upsets. The breeder or pound from which you bought the animal should be able to let you know.
It is very important that they stay on puppy or kitten food until they are 12 months old. This provides them with the appropriate protein/fats and nutrients they need as they are developing. Once they have reached a year old they are able to change over to adult food.
We recommend the following feeding guidelines for puppies and kittens:
- 8 – 16 weeks: 3 feeds daily
- 16 weeks onwards: twice daily
Once they have reached 12 months old, they can move on to a once-a-day feeding if this is convenient for the owner. Otherwise, twice-daily feedings are fine. Just ensure they are only receiving the right amount of food split into 2 feeds. If you want to know more about puppies read our FAQs about puppies.
Adult pet food: what to feed and when?
There are many adult dog and cat foods available for your animal, and the best one for your pet is what works best for them! Each animal will respond differently to certain foods so it can be trial an error to find the right fit for your pet.
We recommend using good quality foods that are more likely to be found in Vets and Pet Stores. Supermarket brands tend to use lesser quality ingredients and can often contain fillers that have little to no nutritional value. Make sure the food is complete and balance – this ensures they will be getting the right amount of protein, fats and nutrients for your pet.
Generally speaking, the better quality foods are more expensive. But remember, setting your animal on the right nutrition path earlier on can mean less trouble down the track!
Adult cats and dogs can be fed a variety of wet and dry foods, as well as some occasional raw meat/bones such as chicken necks, chicken wings. Dogs and cats should never be given cooked bones or fatty meats. They cannot digest these properly, and it may cause fatal illness or intestinal obstructions.
Fun Fact:Cats needs a particular nutrient called Taurine which is an amino acid. This is found in all good quality cat foods and is crucial for their development and health. A diet lacking in taurine can cause serious health issues.
Nutrition as a health treatment
There are certain diets that can be used to complement medical treatments when an animal is sick. They provide a complete and balanced diet, and add certain additives that complement medications. These are mainly prescribed by our veterinarians during assessment of the animal.
They can assist in the management of:
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Urinary care
- Gastro intestinal issues
- Skin allergies
- Food allergies
- Weight loss
- Arthritis/Senior care
- Dental care
- Diabetes
Obesity in Pets
Obesity stands as the prevailing ailment among domesticated animals. According to national surveys, approximately 41% of dogs and 32% of cats fall into the overweight or obese category.
It’s not uncommon for pet owners to be unaware that their beloved companions have crossed into the overweight or obese territory. This is partly due to the prevailing perception that a content animal should resemble a plump and cheerful Labrador or cat. A reliable method to determine if your pet maintains an ideal weight involves observing them from above, noting a subtle waistline taper. Additionally, a gentle glide of your fingers along their sides should allow you to discern the presence of ribs beneath their skin.
In the event that your pet has been identified as overweight or obese, there are several strategies to initiate their journey towards weight loss. As a first step, consider reducing their daily diet by a quarter, while vigilantly tracking their progress.
For those voracious eaters among dogs, a combination of diet reduction and incorporation of low-calorie vegetables can provide a sense of fullness without the burden of excessive calories.
Should these approaches prove ineffective, the option of transitioning to a specialised weight loss diet emerges. These diets are meticulously formulated to ensure completeness and balance, and the most suitable for your pet which will work to safely help them shed those extra kilos while ensuring their contentment.
Guidelines for Smooth Transitions
The process of shifting your pet’s diet warrants careful attention to avoid potential gastrointestinal disturbances. To facilitate a seamless transition, it’s advisable to gradually introduce the new food while phasing out the old over a span of 5-7 days.
- Days 1-2: Blend 75% of the old food with 25% of the new food.
- Days 3-4: Mix 50% of the old food with an equal 50% of the new food.
- Days 5-6: Combine 25% of the old food with a predominant 75% of the new food.
- Day 7: Successfully transition to 100% new food!
Nutritional Consultations
At the Ark Veterinary Hospital, we offer complimentary nutritional consults with one of our qualified nurses, as well as a weight loss program. The nurse will conduct a health check, and assess the patients current weight vs their ideal weight. We discuss the best diet for your animal to be on, and put together a plan for the future to ensure they lose the weight safely and keep it off for good!