Your pet’s personality is unique\u2014one of the many things you love about them! That’s why your Globalvet team gives you tailored advice during consultations; whether it’s about your pet’s care, behaviour, or nutrition. But when it comes to pet nutrition, there are certain core principles that apply to all the fur babies out there. In this post, Globalvet presents the 5 golden rules of nutrition for your cat or dog that you should be following!<\/p>\n
Of course, you care about the quality of the food you give your pet! Feeding them a high-quality diet is one way to help keep their body strong so your furry companion stays by your side for as long as possible.<\/p>\n
Your intentions are good, but how can you tell one quality food from another? Your pet\u2019s food should have proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, micronutrients, and minerals in the right amounts<\/strong>. It should also be targeted to their life stage<\/strong>, any health issues<\/strong>, and indoor or outdoor lifestyle<\/strong>. Things are getting a little complicated!<\/em><\/p>\n Your veterinary team is here to provide you with guidance in choosing the right food for your companion.\u00a0The pet foods sold in veterinary clinics are proven to be top quality. How can you be sure?<\/p>\n How much food are you feeding your pet? Is their bowl always full? Ideal feeding amounts actually depend on a number of factors, including your pet’s:<\/p>\n Serving sizes may vary from one food to another because pet foods contain different energy (caloric) and nutrient densities. Using the manufacturer’s recommendations on the packaging as a guide is always an option, but keep in mind that they aren’t tailored to your individual cat or dog and their unique requirements. Your veterinary team is there to help you make sense of it all and tell you exactly how much you should be feeding your pet.<\/p>\n Once you’ve determined how much to feed your pet, consistency is key to maintaining a healthy weight<\/strong><\/a>. You not only have to be consistent in how much you put in their bowl, but also how often you fill it!<\/p>\n We don’t recommend free feeding, even for puppies and kittens<\/strong>, because it gives your pet access to excessive amounts of food. Did you know that overeating is one of the main factors that contribute to pet obesity? A little extra kibble in the bowl can quickly become a few too many pounds on the scale! So why not practice good habits from the start? The portions recommended by your veterinary team take all your pet’s needs into account, whether they’re still growing or more mature.<\/p>\n How do you make sure you’re being consistent in how much you’re feeding your pet? The best way is to weigh their meals.<\/strong><\/p>\n Here’s a tip: Portion out multiple meals in advance and store them in small resealable bowls. You’ll save time by not having to drag out the scale every day. A measuring cup is a simple solution, but also a lot less accurate because you may end up heaping it a little too high without realizing it. You may think “What’s the big deal\u2014it’s only a few extra pieces of kibble?” but over time it can lead to weight gain.<\/p>\n Did you know that on average, just 4 to 8 extra pieces of kibble is the equivalent of feeding your pet 10% too much?<\/strong> That’s like you eating 2 extra slices of bacon a day!<\/p>\n Now that we’ve talked about consistency in quantity, what about consistency in scheduling? How many times a day should you feed your pet?<\/p>\n The answer may vary depending on their age and size:<\/p>\n You can decrease the number of meals as your puppy or kitten grows. Twice daily<\/strong> feeding is generally recommended for healthy adult pets.<\/p>\n A consistent feeding routine is also important<\/strong>. For starters, it’s a good idea to have set meal times so you don’t upset your pet’s digestive system. Some pets tend to vomit if they chow down on an empty stomach. Also try to feed your cat or dog at the same time and in the same place every day: It will encourage normal elimination habits and help prevent accidents.<\/p>\n We all deserve a little treat on occasion, right?! It’s only natural you’d want to show your pet the same love from time to time…or maybe all the time…<\/p>\n When given in moderation, treats can be part of a healthy diet for a pet. Would you (should you) eat French fries every day? No, but splurging now and again is okay. The same goes for your cat or dog! Just take note of the calories and make sure treats don’t account for more than 10% of their daily intake. <\/strong>To maintain a balanced diet, the calories provided by treats need to be subtracted from their daily food amount. Your veterinary team can help you do the math. If you’ve got a snacker on your hands, take some kibble out of their daily ration to hand out as mini rewards and save the real treats for training purposes or when your cat or dog is on their best behaviour.<\/p>\n As much as your pet may love table scraps<\/strong>, they may not love your pet back. Human food is usually high in calories and fat and can cause stomach upset in pets, so think twice about sharing your supper. Not only can leftovers contribute to obesity, but some of the ingredients may even be toxic to your pet! That’s why our recommendation is simply to avoid giving table scraps all together. It will help prevent health problems and discourage bad behaviour, such as begging. If you can’t resist, give your pet small amounts of low-calorie fruits and vegetables (except grapes and onions, which are toxic to cats and dogs).<\/p>\n We strongly advise only using treats made specifically for pets<\/strong>. Plus, treats are great for behaviour training \u2014 positive reinforcement is one of the best ways to motivate your pet to keep up the good work!<\/p>\n What to do if you have a chowhound on your hands, or a tubby tabby who meows for more?<\/strong> It can be hard to resist those puppy dog eyes or that gentle paw reaching out, but it’s really important not to overfeed your pet. While begging may be cute, it can lead to other behavioural problems, not to mention obesity. Try feeding your pet smaller amounts, but more often, or using a toy or bowl that forces them to work for their food.<\/p>\n It would be great if your pet could talk, wouldn’t it?! But since they can’t, you have to pay close attention to non-verbal cues\u2014especially when it comes to a proper diet.<\/p>\n Look for hints that your furry companion isn’t getting their nutritional needs met<\/strong> in one way or another. A few signs that their diet or digestion need a closer look include:<\/p>\n Symptoms like these may mean you need to upgrade your pet’s food.<\/strong> If they have a deficiency of nutrients like vitamin D, calcium, or protein, your cat or dog may end up with serious health issues that have irreversible consequences.<\/p>\n Also look for signs that you’re over or under feeding your pet.<\/strong> A lack of proper nutrients can lead to poor nutrition, but so can an excess. Everyone knows that consuming more calories can contribute to obesity, but did you know that an overabundance of certain nutrients like vitamin A and phosphorous can also cause a dangerous imbalance?<\/p>\n So be on the lookout for any of these signs. Your veterinary team can help you decipher what they mean!<\/p>\n Ever compare your rich and varied diet to your pet’s same-old, same-old, and feel a pang of guilt? Only natural! You get access to a smorgasbord of food options while your pet has to settle for kibble and the occasional treat. Looking for ways to make things more interesting and stimulating? We’ve got some solutions!<\/p>\n Why is this a good strategy?<\/p>\n Here’s a tip<\/strong>: Introduce your kitten or puppy to different foods and textures\u2014including dry kibble, canned food, and treats\u2014within the first 4 months. At that age, they\u2019re more willing to try something new and look back on it fondly. Hopefully it will be easier for them to accept any diet changes you need to make later on.<\/p>\n Feeding strategies are beneficial for a number of reasons:<\/p>\n To learn more about feeding strategies, check out our posts on the topic specifically for cats<\/a> and for dogs<\/a>.<\/p>\n Treats are an important tool in your relationship with your pet and can really enhance their diet and make life more enjoyable:<\/p>\n\n
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QUANTITY<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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2.\u00a0\u00a0 BE CONSISTENT<\/h2>\n
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3.\u00a0\u00a0 DON’T GIVE IN TO BEGGING<\/h2>\n
4.\u00a0\u00a0 LISTEN TO YOUR PET<\/h2>\n
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5.\u00a0\u00a0 SPICE THINGS UP<\/h2>\n
ALTERNATE BETWEEN KIBBLE AND CANNED FOOD<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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USE DIFFERENT FEEDING STRATEGIES<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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REWARD GOOD BEHAVIOUR<\/strong><\/h3>\n