Health Wise: Pet Nutrition
- Michelle Cuenca
- Oct 10, 2024
- 6 min read
Check out these websites and talk to your vet and see what food would be best for your pet or if your pet would be better off with a food change. Inform your vet of what you observe in your pet which can be supported or aided by nutrition. Veterinary technicians are also knowledgeable in pet diet so don't be afraid to ask for their opinion as well.
This is where changes happen mainly due to your input and effort.
At certain times throughout the lives of cats and dogs, it may be necessary to change their diet. For instance, one of these times is when puppies and kittens reach adulthood. When changing food, care must be taken. Did you know that sudden changes can lead to digestive discomfort, including vomiting and diarrhea, and can even result in stress and aversion to the new diet. It is recommended to maintain a pet's usual feeding routine, at the same times and in the same environment. #StartOfLife #HealthThroughNutrition #ABetterWorldForPets
There are so many different foods which can meet every pet's needs; read the details and inform yourself. You can mix foods in order to tailor the diet to your pet's needs. However consult your vet so you can determine proper portions to avoid obesity or digestive discomfort. Always make sure to transition the food changes.
Main age transitions:
- 1 month of age starts milk transition to solid with pate or solid (Kitten/ puppy Food) until 2 1/2 month of age. Some breeds may need some extra time with dog parents and siblings for education and social skills to develop better.
- 2.5 months to 1.5 year keep on puppy/kitten kibble. Make sure to include treats when determining how much food to give to prevent over feeding and digestive discomfort. Some breeds may need to be kept on this diet for a longer period consult your vet or vet technician.
- 1.5 years start transition into adult diet or digestive support diet can combine with wet food or stews depends on what your pet likes and what keeps their digestion stable. They should have no constant diarrhea or constipation. Again make sure to include treats when determining how much food to give to prevent over feeding and digestive discomfort. Keep their kibble diet consistent when it comes to the brand and amount until age 6.5 years.
- Age 6.5 start transition food to senior diet by age 7 and up your pet should be on senior kibble or digestive support diet and/or wet food. Amount of food given should be based on how much activity, and treats they get in their daily routine; also their health status. Consistency of food depends dental status and health status.
-Age 10 and up may need tweaking as they get older and depending on what medication and other needs they have.
Throughout your pet's life your vet should be involved in aiding you to know your pet's overall health status. Every two to three years a vet check up for vaccine update and overall health status should be done. As they reach age 7 your pet deserves a yearly overall examination, in order to give preventative care as they age.
WHY? Your veterinarian having track of your pet's health history aids in determining diagnosis or life adjustments which your pet may need later in life. A yearly checkup once they are seniors helps the vet stay on top of disease progressions, which is connected to helping you make choices for what is best for your pet.
Things you can do at home:
- Keep track of their weight
Weight yourself with your pet then subtract your weight from the total= your pet's weight
Ren's Depot has a pet scale. When you pass by to pick up treats you can also weight your pet.
If you live near your vet clinic you can pop by with your pet while picking up food etc and also weigh them while your there. You can politely ask reception if it is ok or if it's a good time.
After a checkup keep record of your pets weight
Measure your pet's food. Not over feeding. Take into account their daily food, add ons (treats, table snacks, etcs)vs. amount of exercise.
Feel their inguinal, there should be a slight tuck when you guide your hand from the inguinal to their belly. They should have an inguinal flap. The disappearance, very little inguinal flap or inguinal flap disappearance is an indicator of how overweight or obese they are. They start to look like a sausage body from the top.
You can check their body score. Use these guides
Muscle Score
Measuring Cups:
Human measuring cups- Comfortable and easy to store but they can also lack food portion precision.
Estimating using a regular drinking cup - Comfortable and easy to store but again they can also lack food portion precision.
Royal Canin research:
Researchers assessed the precision and accuracy of using measuring cups by weighing the amount of food portioned with a measuring cup. Variable accuracy was noted, which ranged from an 18% underestimate to an 80% overestimate in portion size when comparing the weight measured to the expected number of grams of the food. With smaller portion sizes, there was more overestimation.
Over time, overestimation of portion size can contribute to weight gain in pets.
You can find them at your local vet clinic or Emergency clinic for free. Depends on location.
Access the full study at: http://ms.spr.ly/6042Vn46r.
3. Make their main food a priority.
- Their diet should be their main food not the treats. You can increase a bit of wet food but remember to decrease treats as their meal will be more dense in calories.
Main Feeding twice a day spread their total daily meal in two portions
Main Feeding three times a day spread their total daily meal into three portions
- Food bag portion guide, always go 2 - 3 kg below your pet's weight to make space for treats if you don't want to constantly calculate how much you have to give. Consult your vet if your pet is highly active such as e.g running long distance a whole day or racing for half the day, considered an athlete performer, not neutered.
- Buy treats that are beneficial to their health not just fattening. eg. Treats based on vitamin or joint support follow product directions, Dental chews follow product directions. Treats based off palatability only max 1/2 or 2.5 a day depending on size of the treat the bigger they are the more broken into pieces and only one should be given.
- NO TABLE FOOD. This negatively effects both cats and dogs. If you are going to provided some table food it should be the portion size of a teaspoon and rarely in the week. Keep this in mind once you get them used to it they won't try anything else.
4. Make a log of your pet's nutrition routine
- If you are still unsure about how good your pet is eating make a log
- How much?, What time? , Activity?, How many treats?, Behavior ?
- Show your vet and see if there is a solution
- DO NOT guilt trip yourself.
Remember your pet get's fed everyday they do not starve. Missing out on a treat or two won't kill them. Adding treats to their main meals does not make it part of the meal. Treats are always a category in itself.
Replace treat giving, by spending time with them. Take them out for a walk before their afternoon and or night food, therefore when you come back you don't feel bad looking at your dog's face begging for more food. For cats petting them, taking them out on the leash to the backyard, play time, catnip.
If you feel like you haven't had time for them after work you can give them a chew while you eat your dinner. Chews are both distracted and clean their teeth. Careful so they don't wear down their teeth to quickly. Same with cats one to two treats with teeth cleaning properties, no more no less.
REMEMBER Your pet loves you unconditionally and they love you even more when they have a healthy quality life, No stomach discomfort, no diarrhea, no missed main meals, no unnecessary baths due to dandruff or smell. clean water always available, clean and comfortable place to rest (blankets, beds, etc should be clean), giving them attention: Petting, playing, practicing tricks, or brain games, keeping them clean, brushing them gently, all these things create bonds with your dog and encourage them to not just love you but respect you as well.
Poop Charts yes you can check if what your fed your dog has negatively affected them.
The perfect poop is between a score of 2 and 3 anything over (Too soft, upset stomach) or under ( constipation) is a not good.
Urine colour can also give you an indication of how your pet is affected by what they ingest.
Again changes you can do at home start an elimination diet. Eliminate the things that cause your pet to have a bad digestion. That may mean changing your choice of nutrition source.
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