Nov 24 , 2019
What Are You Really Feeding Your Pet?
What Are You Really Feeding Your Pet?
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If you are a pet lover, no one can explain the attachment that you have for that cherished animal. There is this certain feeling that makes you care and invest emotion toward your pet. This care goes with providing its needs and the pampering sessions that you enjoy doing together. The way you take care of your pet is most likely the way you take good care of your child.
As you try to provide our pets’ needs, you must take into consideration the kind of food that you provide them because animals are distinct in many ways, so they have different nutritional needs. With this, they should be treated differently, and you must be well-informed as to what is best for them. By reading further, know on how you can provide the best food for the good health of your pets, particularly the dogs and cats.
Your Pet and the Food You Give
Most probably, when you feed your dogs and cats, you feed them with love and care because these animals seem to be members of the family already. You must be aware that they too need the right nutrition in order for their body systems to function well. The kind of food that you offer will determine the health and wellness of your dog best friend and sweet feline pets. Hence, you must give the right food that your pets deserve.
The Right Food for Your Pet
There are varieties of kibbles available in the market which are dry, wet, and semi-moist. If you are looking for the best type of food for your pet, choose the one with the highest quality. Give the right food for your dogs and cats by considering the following since every animal requires certain nutritional needs.
- Size
- Age
- Breed
- Special Dietary Needs
- Health Status
Indeed, these factors should be considered in giving the right food for your pet, and you actually have the choice between preparing homemade food and feeding your pet with commercial pet food.
Homemade Pet Food
Homemade pet food is assumed to be a better option in providing healthy food for your cats and dogs for they promote healthier skin and shinier coat. Dogs require around 38 nutrients on a daily basis and they are not strict carnivores. On the other hand, cats require around 40 nutrients daily. If the pet owner always prepares homemade food, then, cats and dogs can get nutrients from fruits and vegetables. These are the fruits and veggies which are good for these domesticated animals.
Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-and-white-dalmatian-dog-eating-fruits-770363/
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Fruits |
Vegetables |
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· Apples · Bananas · Blueberries · Cantaloupe · Cranberries · Mango · Oranges · Pears · Pineapple · Raspberries · Strawberries · Watermelon |
· Broccoli · Brussels Sprouts · Carrots · Celery · Cucumber · Green Beans · Peas · Spinach · Cabbage · Cauliflower · Lettuce · Pumpkin · Sweet Potato |
Food You Should Not Include in their Diet
There are also other food varieties which can bring health problems to your dog and cat. As a pet lover, there are times when you want to treat or reward your favorite animal by giving it special food, but you have to be extra careful with the big No-Nos for your dear pet. This list will help you to be conscious in providing the wrong food for your pet.
- Candy, Gum, and Baked Goodies
These foods contain xylitol which causes the drop of your pet’s sugar level which may eventually lead to liver failure. Coordination problems and vomiting are the symptoms which may result in seizures.
- Alcohol
Alcohol can cause diarrhea, vomiting, breathing and coordination problems, coma, or even death to your treasured animal.
- Onion and Garlic
Onion and garlic, in whatever form, should be kept away from dogs and cats because they can kill the red blood cells which may lead to anemia. Eating a lot of these can cause food poisoning which can be observed when the animal vomits, breathes with difficulty, and seems weak.
- Caffeinated Food
Tea, coffee, cocoa, colas, and some energy drinks can be fatal to the nutrition of your pet for they will bring health problems.
- Raisin and Grapes
These fruits can also cause your dog and cat to have kidney failure and even just a little amount of this can cause them to be sick.
- Dairy Products
To prevent your dog to have allergies and other skin problems, do not give milk-based products. They may cause diarrhea and other problems in the digestive system.
- Chocolate
Chocolate is commonly known to many that it can cause diarrhea and vomiting which may lead to heart problems, seizures, tremors, and death.
- Raw Egg, Meat, and Fish
Raw food can cause food poisoning because of bacteria like salmonella or E. coli.
Photo by Nancy Nobody from Pexels
The food mentioned above should not be given to your pets, whether it’s a dog or cat. As a dog pet owner, you must know that there are specific foods that are not good for them. Among these are macadamia nuts and avocado.
Six macadamia nuts can already make your dog sick and experience vomiting, muscle shake, weakness of the back legs, and high temperature. On the other hand, too much intake of avocado can cause diarrhea and vomiting among dogs. This fruit contains persin and it is present in its seeds, barks, leaves, and fruits.
Photo by Kelvin Valerio from Pexels
For felines, tuna and liver are not good food for them. Tuna is appetizing among cats, but if there is too much intake of this, mercury poisoning may occur. More so, eating liver can cause cats to have Vitamin A toxicity which will affect their bones. The symptoms are bone growths on the elbow and the spine, and osteoporosis. Be observant in the health status of your cat for this may also lead to death.
Commercial Pet Food
Pet lovers always desire to give proper nutrition to their fur babies. Giving them commercial pet food can be an option in providing them with their needed nutrients. As you give them this kind of food, keep in mind the health risks that your pet might encounter upon ingesting them.
The food that we offer to our pets varies in size, texture, and shape and they can be classified into three: dry food, semi-moist food, and wet food.
Photo by Ricardo Esquivel from Pexels
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Dry Food
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This food type is more economical compared to other types of pet food. It can also stay safe for 1 to 3 hours at room temperature, if not wet. They are like biscuits or for some kibbles, they are in the shape of fish, heart, or cube. |
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Semi-moist Food
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Wet Food |
Wet food contains around 70 to 85% of water. This type usually has a higher amount of protein and fat than dry food. It usually doesn’t have preservatives because it is intended to be consumed soon. Wet food is usually canned and is more palatable than dry and semi-moist food. It also contains most of the needed nutrients that make it tastes better. |
How to Spot the Premium Quality Pet Food
The best is what you want to offer to your pet. You can do this by being critical of what is written on the labels of the different pet food brands. Here are the things which you need to consider in buying the premium quality food for your dog and cat considering the product labels.
- Statement Of Nutritional Adequacy
The first thing you need to hunt in the label is the AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials) seal of approval. The statement from AAFCO confirms that the product passed the quality control for pet food.
- Ingredients
Evaluate the ingredients by checking if they are arranged in descending order by volume and the ingredients on top must contain the greatest quantities. Protein or fresh meat is first among the other ingredients and it is better if the meat used is organic. There should be no barley, rice, and other grains for these are needed less by cats and dogs.
- Fillers
By products, soy, corn, and other fillers should not be in the list of ingredients and take note that only low-quality pet food contains these. Do not consider buying pet food with artificial fillers such as corn bran, hulls, and rice bran. They are added to the kibble to increase the bulk and to decrease the cost of production. These are some of the ingredients which can cause health problems to your pets because of low-quality production.
- Harmful Ingredients
You also have to watch out for harmful ingredients like sodium nitrite and artificial flavors in the pet food you are planning to buy. If there are artificial preservatives such as BHA, BHT, and sodium nitrate, this pet food is a threat to your pet’s health. Also, artificial flavors such as corn syrup and other artificial colors or dyes must not be present as ingredients.
- Allergens
Food allergies are also common among pets. Some of the food allergens which you need to be mindful of are corn, soy, egg, dairy, and chicken. You should always read the label of the product for it might contain the food which will cause allergies to your pet.
- Guaranteed Analysis
Analyze the nutrients present in the product by checking the Guaranteed Analysis in the product label. This will guide you in choosing the right brand for your pet so you can provide the healthiest food for it.
- Product name and manufacturer
The product name and the manufacturer could tell the identity of the product for these speak of how reliable it is. The product name gives information about the formulation of the food while the manufacturer provides you with a link to the contact resources.
- Feeding Guidelines
This is also an important factor that you need to find on the label for this will determine if the pet food is suited for your pet. But it is always best to check with your veterinarian if the feeding guideline is really appropriate for your pet.
- Complete and Balanced
Aside from all those mentioned above, you also have to look for this phrase ‘complete and balanced’. This means that the product has the required nutrients needed by the animals.
Reading labels is an important task of the pet owner for this may mean ensuring the health and wellness of your beloved pet. In desiring to provide the best healthy food for them, it is recommended that comparing labels must also be done. It is advisable to compare the Guaranteed Analysis Section and the ingredients of the pet food before deciding to buy. Moreover, look for licensed local pet stores and credible online stores in order to secure the best pet food product in town.
Effects of Giving the Wrong Food to Your Pet
Surely, you always want to give the best food which will nourish your pet. With this, you must know the red flags which will put the life of your dear pet in danger. Your cherished dog or cat may be put at risk if the kibble which you provide is of poor quality. If you continue providing your pet with this poor quality commercial food, your pet may encounter the following diseases:
- Skin Allergies
Skin allergies among pet animals may be caused by the protein in pet food which is of low quality. The food protein can trigger the release of histamine and this will lead to itching and other signs of allergies, or even baldness.
- Diarrhea
Having diarrhea among animals can be caused by an adverse reaction to food and infection. Any change in the diet can make the animal change the consistency of its bowels.
- Dull Coat
A dog with an improperly balanced commercial pet food would tend to have a dull coat for they do not get the right nutrients to make them have a shiny and healthy coat.
- Hot Spots
Having hot spots or skin irritations can be experienced by changing from high-quality food to low-quality one. This will be the response when there is a change in the diet.
- Welts
This results from an allergic reaction to the kind of food taken by the animal. Welts are usually red in color and are itchy bumps on the skin which seems to resemble a mosquito bite.
- Increased flatulence
Poorly manufactured food can cause gas in the stomach and diet is the main cause of flatulence among pet animals.
- Intermittent vomiting
If an animal is exposed to problematic food, this may result in the inflammation of the intestines and stomach. If your pet has food sensitivities, stomach upset is always expected.
- Heart diseases
There were reported incidents by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which states that pet food can cause heart diseases.
- Liver diseases
If an animal is exposed to different toxins because of the poor quality of food, this may result in liver failure.
- Kidney failure and Diabetes
Dry food contains carbohydrates which can cause diabetes and kidney failure.
These health problems will be experienced by your pet because of poor food production. Remember that high-quality pet food always makes use of high-quality ingredients so do not settle for low-quality for your pet’s life will be put at risk.
Secrets of Having a Healthy Pet
Here are some of the tips which you can do in order to ensure the proper nutrition of your pet.
- If you buy bags of pet food, put the other kibbles in smaller containers so pet food will be kept fresh for a long period of time.
- Buy the right size of bag for your pet so you need not to store the kibbles because their nutrients might deteriorate.
- For older pets and pets with dental problems, consider giving semi-moist food.
- Feeding your pet with urinary tract infection with wet food will help them urinate often.
- Always give your pet clean drinking water.
- Give only the right amount of pet food for every meal.
- Discard the unconsumed food for this may lead to food poisoning.
- Make a routine in feeding in order to track down the eating habits of your dog. Be watchful for changes in the eating habits and discuss them with your veterinarian.
- Do not provide extra calories by giving your pet snacks and treats.
Final Thoughts
Having pets gives you the chance to be compassionate to animals. At the same time, your pets also serve as your stress-relievers and companion. Looking after the welfare of your beloved animal would mean seeing to it that the right nutrients are provided to them. You have to be careful in selecting the pet food that you are going to purchase or to prepare at home. If you opt to buy, read and analyze the product label carefully in order to select the best quality of pet food for your canines and felines.
In doing so, you also get to prevent your pet from contracting a disease that may put their lives in danger. It is better to be proactive in ensuring the health of your pet, rather than feeling sorry when it gets sick or it has died.
