Feeding
DOGS
Premium-quality dry food
(avoid generic brands) provides a well-balanced diet and may be mixed with water, broth or some canned food. For puppies,
limit "people food", because it can cause puppies to suffer vitamin and mineral imbalances, bone and teeth problems and
may cause very picky eating habits, as well as obesity. Your adult dog may enjoy cottage cheese, cooked egg, fruits and
vegetables, but these additions should not total more than 10 percent of your dog's daily food intake.
Puppies 8 to 12 weeks old
Puppies 3 to 6 months old
Puppies 6 months to 1 year
Dogs 1 year old and above |
4 meals a day
3 meals a day
2 meals a day
1 meal a day |
For some dogs (such as larger ones or those prone to bloat), it's better to continue to feed two smaller meals.
Water is the most important nutrient to your dog. It is essential to life and is present in blood and lymph, inside cells,
between cells, and accounts for between 60 to 70% of the body weight of an adult dog. A deficiency of water may have
serious repercussions. Inadequate water intake may affect
an animal's physical activity, reproduction, lactation, and growth. A 15% loss can result in death.
Pets need to have good quality clean, fresh water available at all
times to help meet the needs of their bodies. Wash food and water dishes frequently. Food may also help provide some of your pet's water need. A dry pet food
may contain up to 10% moisture while a canned pet food may contain up to 85% moisture.
CATS
Feed your cat a high-quality, brand-name kitten
or cat food (avoid generic brands). Kittens can be fed human baby food for a short time if they won't eat kitten food
softened by soaking in warm water. Use turkey or chicken baby food made for children six months and older. Gradually mix
with cat food. Cow's milk is not necessary and can cause diarrhea in kittens and cats. Provide fresh, clean water at all
times. Wash and refill water bowls daily.
Kittens 6 to 12 weeks old
Kittens 3 to 6 months old
Kittens 6 months to 1 year
Cats 1 year old and above |
4 meals a day
3 meals a day
2 meals a day
1 meal a day |
Both dogs and cats evolved as carnivores, but the cat is somewhat unique in that it is an obligate carnivore. That is, it
requires certain nutrients that are available only from animal sources. The feline intestine is adapted for a high fat,
high protein diet. Some people tend to treat the cat like a small dog, but the cat has very specific nutritional
requirements. This is because, unlike dogs, the cat is unable to synthesize certain essential nutrients from other food
components and, therefore, requires these nutrients to be pre-formed in their diet.
Methods of Feeding Dogs and Cats
Dogs and Cats may be fed successfully in a number of ways that meet both the owner's and the animal's needs and
circumstances.
- Portion control feeding: The food for a meal is measured and offered as a meal thereby controlling the amount of
food that can be consumed. This method is used for weight control programs and for animals that might overeat if fed
free choice. Food can be provided in one or more meals daily. We generally recommend that all dogs be fed twice daily.
This means that the package feeding guidelines are divided into two meals spaced eight to twelve hours part. Puppies/
kittens, lactating bitches/queens and animals recovering from certain medical conditions often require more than two
meals per day.
- Free choice feeding: This method is most appropriate when feeding dry food which will not spoil if left out. Some
dogs and cats, however, will overeat with this method, so two associated diseases must be considered:
a) Obesity. If the pet begins to put on too much weight, the owner will need to switch to portion control feeding.
b) Developmental Bone Diseases. If the puppy to be fed is a large or giant breed or if the breed is susceptible to
OCD, hypertrophic osteodystrophy, or hip dysplasia, do not free feed the puppies. They may over eat and this can lead
to rapid growth and a greater incidence of bone diseases. Large or giant breed pups should be fed with the portion
controlled or timed feeding methods.
- Timed feeding method: This method involves making a portion of food available for the pet to eat for a specified
period of time. For example, the food can be placed in the dog's bowl for 30 minutes. After that time, if the pet has
not consumed the food, it is removed. This can be a good feeding method for puppies, particularly just after weaning.
The food can be offered to the puppies for 30 minutes, two or three times per day.
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