Pet food is more than just a collection of ingredients and
nutrients. It plays a very serious part in the health and well-being of your
pet. Remember the old saying, "You are what you eat"? The better
the quality of food that your pet eats the more efficient your pet’s
entire body will function. A well-balanced diet can lead to better skin and
coat quality, stronger muscles and joints, and a healthy digestive system.
Typically, higher quality diets use better ingredients and
fewer "fillers". Less
fillers lead to less yard waste (good news for you). Less waste means your
pet is absorbing and using more of the ingredients in the food. Another
benefit of the higher quality foods is that you can feed your pet smaller
portions. Because they are often a bit more expensive than their lesser
quality counterparts, this may reduce your overall food expenses.
Feeding requirements can differ from pet to pet. Just like people, your
pet’s daily dietary needs are affected by their breed, the type of
food fed, the amount of exercise they receive, their metabolic rate, age
of the pet, etc. Meal feeding is recommended as opposed to leaving a bowl
of food out and only refilling when it’s empty. This allows you to
pick up on subtle shifts in your pet’s behavior that might indicate
they are not feeling well. Missing one meal may not be a big sign, but
missing two meals in a row could tip you off that something is not right.
Pet food as a medical tool
Pet food can also aid in the management of specific medical
conditions including diabetes, bladder stones, and pancreatitis. These
therapeutic diets are formulated for a specific medical condition. This
is why they are found only at veterinary clinics, not at pet stores. Sometimes
pets are allergic to one or more ingredients found in commercially available
diets. The most common allergens are the protein and/or carbohydrate source
(i.e. chicken, corn). When this happens, your veterinarian will likely
recommend that your pet eat a diet that includes a “novel” protein.
A novel protein refers to a protein source (such as venison or duck) that
your pet has not likely encountered in any other diet you’ve fed
so their body does not react to it adversely.
Tips for feeding your pet
• Feed a premium, nutritionally balanced food for your
pet’s specific
stage of life (puppy/kitten, adult, senior)
• Adding human food to a nutritionally balanced pre-made (commercial)
diet may upset the nutrient balance of your dog’s diet. Ideally
table scraps should not be fed.
• Don’t forget to account for the calories your pet consumes
from treats. Treats and/or any human food fed should not account for more
than 10% of your pet’s dietary intake.
• Feed only enough food to keep your dog in a good body condition score,
or BCS. According to Purina, good body condition is defined as an easily
observable waist and the ribs can be felt with a slight fat covering over
them.
At Cheshire Crossing Animal Hospital, the doctors and
staff consider dental health to be a top priority. A thorough examination
of the mouth with emphasis on the teeth and gums is an integral part of
every pet’s physical exam.
Disease of the gum tissue, known as periodontal disease, affects 85% of
adult dogs and cats. Left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to pain,
bad breath, and tooth loss. Over time, chronic bacterial infection of the
mouth can lead to disease in other parts of the body such as the heart
and kidneys.
We all know that caring for our own teeth involves frequent brushing,
flossing, and rinsing. And while we may have the very best...read more
health and well-being of your
pet. Remember the old saying, "You are what you eat"? The better
the quality of food that your pet eats the more efficient your pet’s
entire body will function. A well-balanced diet can lead to better skin and
coat quality, stronger muscles and joints, and a healthy digestive system.
