As a pet owner, you need to consider a lot of information when determining how and what to feed your beloved pet. How much to feed? Where to keep the food? When to feed and more….Here are my pet feeding tips to you.
In my opinion, these are the 10 basic topics you need to consider.
1. Constant availability of fresh water
You need to have fresh water available for your pet at all times. Your pet needs to drink varied amounts of water according to different factors, which include: life stage (for example, increased thirst during pregnancy), activity level, surrounding (being in a closed apartment during the summer time) and type of food (dry food causes increased thirst as opposed to fresh). Also, keep in mind that many cats prefer drinking from a water fountain or other source of moving water.
2. Consideration for specific needs
When choosing your pet’s food, you need to consider a number of different factors:
Age – Aging pets need food with higher digestibility in smaller quantities and with more antioxidants. Puppies need larger quantities of highly nutritious food divided into more meals per day.
Activity level – Active pets need food with higher caloric content than “couch potato” pets.
Sensitivities – Your pet shouldn’t receive food and treats which include ingredients they have sensitivity for.
Weight – Pets on weight loss programs should receive food with higher fiber content and less caloric value.
Health status – You need to take into account specific health issues, for example a formulized diet for kidney failure or damaged liver.
3. Food quantity
Many pets these days are suffering from obesity or are considered overweight, due to over feeding and lack of activity. Keeping your pet at proper weight contributes to its welfare and health.
Remember that feeding amounts written on the labels are only a recommendation and it’s up to you to adjust the quantity according to your specific pet needs.
I believe that most often, weight by number isn’t a true and accurate measurement and in order to know if your pet is in proper weight is to check its body condition score. Which means – look and feel your pet – run your hands on its abdomen, rib cage and chest and see if you feel excess fat and look if you can see a waist line or is your pet sausage shaped. The ideal condition is for it to have a thin layer of fat and be shaped.
4. Feed a complete and balanced diet
In order to avoid nutritional deficiencies, you need to feed a complete and balanced diet. This can be of course any type of food.
Usually you can find a statement on commercial foods that they have been formulated to be complete and balanced. If you don’t see a statement, this means that the food is meant for complementary feeding only. You can read extra information on how to understand food labels in this article.
If you are feeding a home cooked or raw diet, you need to follow a strict recipe formulated by a nutrition professional in order to assure that the diet is varied and complete.
5. Storage of food
Dry food needs to be stored in a sealed container at a dry and cool environment, away from direct sun light. If you leave commercial food bags open, they can accumulate moisture and become moldy or get infected by bugs. Canned food needs to be stored away from direct sun light.
You can store cooked and raw food in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 3 days. You can freeze the food for up to 6 months.
6. Feeding times
Pets love and strive on routines and it’s also true for their bodily systems including the digestive tract. When food arrives at regular hours, the body knows how to manage its nutrients intake and direct it as needed to the different organs.
I recommend feeding at least two meals a day, one in the morning and one at the evening. Smaller meals allow for better digestion and nutrient absorption.
In addition, between meals, its beneficial to give a snack. Long hours on an empty stomach can lead to a feeling of nausea due to the activity of bile fluids. Sometimes this can solve incidents of early morning vomiting.
7. Feeding bowl and food preparation hygiene
Like we wash our utensils and plates, it is very important to wash and clean your pets feeding bowls on a daily basis. This is ten times more important if you are feeding raw or cooked food. In this case I recommend washing the bowl after the pet had finished eating because any leftover pieces of food can attract bugs and be contaminated by pathogens.
Furthermore, you need to take extra precautions and follow proper hygiene instructions especially if of you are handling raw food. For example, cleaning the work area and tools, washing hands before and after touching the food, don’t thaw meat out on the counter, and more.
8. Snacks
Any snack and treat you feed over the recommended daily amount will add calories, so remember to adjust the overall feeding quantities accordingly. I recommend that the treats will only be up to 10% of the daily feeding amount. My recommendation is feeding raw and natural treats such as fruits, vegetables and meat.
9. Share with your vet nutritional changes and feeding habits
Any change in your pets feeding habits like loss of appetite, increased thirst or selective eating can signify a health concern that needs to be addressed. You need to track nutritional changes and if they persist over 24 hours, share the information with your vet.
10. Listen to your pet
It’s important to follow after your pet’s physical state and bodily functions; these will provide you with indications about how your pet reacts to its food. Quality food will bring your pet to be vital, with soft and bright fur, healthy skin, good teeth and healthy stool.
Remember, your pets smell and instincts are spot on, listen to them, if it doesn’t want to eat its current food anymore, check to see if you need to make any changes.
In conclusion, you can see that there are many issues you need to consider regarding feeding your pet. There is more to it than just placing some type of food in a bowl. I hope you enjoyed reading my pet feeding tips and now have some food for thought 🙂
And remember, for any question, feel free to contact me.