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Feeding Dogs and Cats
Feeding Dogs and Cats explains how you, the owner of a pet you have the responsibility to decide what your pet eats - you must not let your pet dictate the menu. dogs do not know what is good for them. They are essentially "programmed" to seek out the "richest" sources of food. In the dog "natural" environment rich foods are rare and are usually a source of extra protein, vitamins & minerals. In their natural environment dogs would eat t vegetation, small rodents and birds, carrion and whatever large prey the pack could bring down. Both dogs and cats would only drink water in their natural environment. Today for most of us the simplest way for us to mimic the dog's natural diet is to feed commercially prepared diets especially the dry varieties.We encourage pet owners to feed a single diet suitable for their dogs nutritional requirements which then allows your dog's digestive tract to settle on one food. Chopping and changing diets to provide a variety is very much a human need that we impose on our dogs and may actively encourage tummy upsets, fussiness and food intolerances. If you have selected the correct diet for your dog's individual requirements then it is not necessary to change it. However we do recognize that a small minority of animals do have a higher than normal requirement for certain vitamins and minerals in their diet such as zinc or biotin.The number of times a day you feed your dog should be tailored to suit the individual. Generally we do not recommend feeding any dog less than twice daily. Too infrequent feeding can lead to a very slow metabolic rate that encourages food to be laid down as fat rather than being used for energy immediately. Infrequent feeds can also encourage the vomiting of bile as the stomach "craves" something to digest. Feeding within two hours before strenuous exercise or late at night is not a good idea particularly in medium to large sized dogs.Any changes that have to be made to a diet for whatever reason should be made gradually by mixing the old and new diets together for a week, and then slowly decreasing the proportion of the old diet and increasing the proportion of the new diet. Before making an assessment of whether a new diet suits a pet it should be on that diet solely for a week, unless the dogs health is at risk in which case a decision will have to be made sooner. When tempting finicky eaters onto a new diet, or dogs which have been "spoilt", it is acceptable to moisten, warm or even dry fry foods to make them more aromatic and palatable. You may have to hand-feed such dogs initially. If the dog is a healthy adult that has no unusual requirements it is acceptable for them not to eat for up to 4 days. Care must be taken with small dogs some of whom would rather starve than have a food that is good for them. Dogs should only drink water. Most adult dogs have lost the ability to digest dairy products which are probably the biggest single cause of upset tummies. Choosing the Correct Food for Your Dog Healthy nutrition will lead to a healthy dog! In the same way as humans change with age by have differing requirements in both quality, quantity and type of food our canine friends also require change with age in the dietary composition. What is good for a growing, 9 month old pup may be detrimental to a 12 year old, senior, dog. For this reason we believe in 'the lifestage' dietary concept and would encourage yourselves as dog owners to change your pets food with their increasing age. Breed variation and life expectancy has to be taken into account; a Great Dane requires a different feeding schedule to a Yorkshire Terrier. Our trained nurses and veterinary surgeons are available to help you decide on the correct diet for your dog and this advice will help maximise health and life expectancy. Puppies Puppies are normally weaned at between 5 and 8 weeks. We are always surprised at the number of 'home' made recipes' and even 'raw carcase feeding' that some breeders wish to use. Getting the correct balance of Calcium, Phosphorus and Vitamin D with utilisable protein and high energy availability is not easy and it is our opinion that feeding a complete, high quality, puppy food is easier, cheaper and healthier than trying to do it yourself. There are several protocols on how to feed a puppy exist but an easy method is to feed a puppy as much as they can eat for 10 minutes, 4 times a day until 12 weeks, reducing to 3 times a day to 18 weeks and then twice daily. At six months the feeding should be dependent on exercise levels and the puppy weight. Most pups will reduce to daily feeding at 12 months of age although small breeds tend to prefer to twice daily feeding. The bones continue to grow and require puppy foods until 10 months of age in a small breed to 18 months in a giant breed such as an Irish Wolf Hound. Ask your vet for advice on when to change diets. Dogs which will have an adult weight of more than 30kg should be fed on a 'Large Breed Puppy food' as this has controlled nutrients to try and prevent excessive spurts of bone development which can lead to joint and bone problems. Adult Dogs As we have discussed puppies become adults at differing times, depending on breed. It is probably preferable if not essential to change to an adult food of the same manufacturer. Quality is essential and there is no harm in adding a little food from your own dinner plates if it keeps your dog happy. Dogs love vegetables and some even like fruit. These provide fibre, vitamins and flavour. Try to limit these 'tit-bits' to no more than 10% of diet. Depending on breed and exercise levels, many pets start to gain excessive weight, especially if they have been neutered. Many dogs require a degree of calorie restriction and it is quite acceptable to feed most neutered dogs of two years and above on a 'light diet' which usually contains 10-15% less calories than the full blown adult 'maintenance diet'. The Senior Dog When is a dog a senior dog? A Great Dane by 5 years of age, a Jack Russell Terrier by 10 years? Most vets believe that the average dog needs increasing dietary care by 8 years of age. 'Senior Diets' have restricted but highly absorbable protein levels. Good carbohydrate for energy and restriction on sodium and phosphorus to safeguard the heart. Many are adding glucosamine or chondroitin to help improve joint function and sunflower oils for better skin. This dietary change is important and will help safeguard your dogs future. Which Dog Food should you Feed? We recommend two brands at Isabelle Vets as we have been using both of them with our own pets, in the surgery and with clients for many years: Hills Science Diet range is a top quality product which has optimal formulation for health. As the name suggests, enormous scientific research has gone into ensuring that the diets deliver the correct nutrients in a digestible manner to ensure good health. They have recently launched their Nature's Best range which continues on from the Science Diets but provides guaranteed natural additives in a formulation that dogs appear to love. Nutro Pet Foods are the third largest producer in the USA. Their diets are guaranteed to be sourced from high quality food substances, have no artificial additives or preservatives and have high levels of polyunsaturated oils for skin condition. Their lamb and rice 'Choice range' is particularly popular for both pups and adult dogs. If you wish to discuss nutrition or have a problem please make an appointment to consult one of our nurses. Choosing the Correct Food for Your Cat Healthy nutrition will lead to a healthy cat! In the same way as humans change with age by have differing requirements in both quality, quantity and type of food our feline friends also require change with age in the dietary composition. What is good for a growing, 5 month old kitten may be detrimental to a 12 year old, senior, cat. For this reason we believe in 'the lifestage' dietary concept and would encourage yourselves as cat owners to change your pets food with their increasing age. Our trained nurses and veterinary surgeons are available to help you decide on the correct diet for your kitten and this advice will help maximise health and life expectancy. Kittens Kittens are normally weaned at between 5 and 8 weeks. Feeding normal cat food is far from ideal. Getting the correct balance of Calcium, Phosphorus and Vitamin D with utilisable protein and high energy availability is not easy and it is our opinion that feeding a complete, high quality, kitten food is easier, cheaper and healthier than trying to do it yourself. There are several protocols on how to feed a kitten exist but an easy method is to feed a kitten as much as they can eat for 10 minutes, 4 times a day until 12 weeks, reducing to 3 times a day to 18 weeks and then twice daily. If you prefer you can allow a cat to 'graze' feed, by leaving down a large bowl of food to which they return when hungry. Good hygiene is important by regular bowl cleaning. The bones continue to grow and require kitten foods until 9-12 months of age. Ask your vet for advice on when to change diets. Feeding a complete, dry, kitten, food is good for their teeth, nutritious, has reduced health risks with fewer upset stomachs from flies and bugs and is usually cheaper than wet tinned or packet foods. Adult Cats It is probably preferable if not essential to change to an adult food of the same manufacturer. Quality is important and choosing a complete and balanced cat food will lend to long term health. There is no harm in adding a little food from your own dinner plate or the occasional sardine or slice of chicken, if it keeps your cat happy. Cats are obligatory carnivores and are not vegetarians and cannot use certain vegetable proteins. Try to limit these 'tit-bits' to no more than 10% of diet. Depending on breed, lifestyle and exercise levels, many pets start to gain excessive weight, especially if they have been neutered. Many cats require a degree of calorie restriction and it is quite acceptable to feed most neutered on a 'light diet' which usually contains 10-15% less calories than the full blown adult 'maintenance diet'. Active, hunting cats tend to keep themselves slim but many cats prefer the couch and calory control is important. The Senior Cat When is a cat a senior cat? Most vets believe that the average cat needs increasing dietary care by 8-10 years of age. 'Senior Diets' have restricted but highly absorbable protein levels. Good carbohydrate for energy and restriction on sodium and phosphorus to safeguard the heart. Many are adding glucosamine or chondroitin to help improve joint function, taurine for heart function and sunflower oils for better skin. This dietary change is important and will help safeguard your cats future. Which Cat Food should you Feed? We recommend two brands at Isabelle Vets as we have been using both of them with our own pets, in the surgery and with clients for many years: Hills Science Diet range is a top quality product which has optimal formulation for health. As the name suggests, enormous scientific research has gone into ensuring that the diets deliver the correct nutrients in a digestible manner to ensure good health. They have recently launched their Nature's Best range which continues on from the Science Diets but provides guaranteed natural additives in a formulation that cats appear to love. Nutro Pet Foods are the third largest producer in the USA. Their diets are guaranteed to be sourced from high quality food substances, have no artificial additives or preservatives and have high levels of polyunsaturated oils for skin condition. Their 'Choice Complete Care' food is particularly popular for adult cats. If you wish to discuss nutrition or have a problem please make an appointment to consult one of our nurses.
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