Nutrition is an important part of keeping your pet happy and healthy. Every pet has different requirements for activity, growth and play. To fulfill these requirements the food must be palatable, and contain the proper nutrients to meet the daily energy requirements. Usually a dry food is best, while table scraps are definitely not recommended. There are many ways to feed our pets, some examples are:
- Free choice – leave a full bowl of food accessible all the time
- Controlled portions – leave a measured amount of food 3–4 times each day
- Timed feeding – leaving a quantity of food accessible only for a certain amount of time
There are many types of food to supply the energy needs of our pets. Just a few examples are:
- Development/Puppy/Kitten Formula – recommended from weaning to 12 months of age and also for pregnant or lactating females
- Preventative Formula – recommended to optimize the health and well being of our adult, mature pets
- Weight Control/Mature Formula – recommended to provide a complete, well balanced diet for less active/older animals
There are also specialized diets for pets with specific health concerns to help maintain their health.
Keeping a Healthy Weight
Obesity is a serious, although often overlooked, problem with our indoor companions. Management of this problem often starts when your pet is young. Overfeeding, lack of exercise, feeding inappropriately and some health conditions can all contribute. Careful attention must be paid not just to the ingredient list on the food, but also to the nutrient content of the food. Feeding too large a volume of food can contribute to obesity, just as much as feeding a smaller amount of a higher fat/carbohydrate food.
Feeding table scraps and treats are also problem areas, not only with body mass, but also with poor skin condition and intestine related problems. Most commercially available pet foods are now composed of nutrients that will maintain a very healthy body, without supplementing with our left-overs, which can also result in unwanted behaviours.
Starting your puppy with healthy eating habits can go a long way in maintaining a healthy body weight. Please ask your veterinarian about an appropriate diet plan for your pet.