Pet feeding tips: learn what, how, and when to feed your pet. Keep your pet healthy and happy with this common sense advice. Plus exercise tips too!
Does Rover like snacks and goodies? Well we must be careful when giving our pet snacks. What can be healthy for people may not be good for our pets. Also fatty foods like chocolate and other snacks may actually be fatal! You must use caution when feeding your dog or cat from the table.
Many pet owners give their pets table scraps like pasta, meat, eggs, fish, fruits, and vegetables. There are some of these that are fine in small quantities and others that can be harmful even just one time. It is best to feed your dog or cat a good pet food with the appropriate nutritional value for its breed. Rover needs a balanced diet. Cheese and milk are great sources of protein, but many dogs are sensitive to lactose products. Buy a premium dog food that provides a nutritionally balanced meal.
Until you know what your dog prefers, deciding on a brand name may take time. The best dog food is a low-fat, high-fiber one. Puppies less than a year old need food that provides extra protein, calcium, and iron to help growth and development. It is even more important for older dogs and cats to have a low-fat diet.
An improper diet can lead to many health problems and a shorter life span for your pets. Poor diets can lead to health problems serious enough to endanger their lives. Diarrhea is another big problem with high-fat diets and allergies to certain "people" foods. Many human foods can result from allergic reactions in your pets. Eating trash is another thing that can harm your pet. Not only can they get access to many toxic chemicals, but they can also eat many harmful foods like chocolate and foods with a high-fat content.
Extra pounds on an overweight dog or cat can be associated with heart and respiratory problems, bone and joint problems, and other harmful conditions. Obese dogs and cats are more likely to get Diabetes and many other diseases. A poor diet for Ms. Kitty can result in many urinary tract problems, especially urinary tract infections. This can make it painful or even impossible for the cat to urinate. By feeding your dog or cat improperly, your cat or dog could become critically ill within as little as 24 hours. Bad eating habits can be harmful and costly to you and your pet! Learn how to protect them by following the guidelines below.
What table foods SHOULDN'T I feed my pet?
*Any food that is not a "pet food" item can be harmful to your pet. Always consult with your veterinarian before introducing any table foods to your pet.
Chocolate (Chocolate has a chemical in it that is lethal to pets)
Puddings and creamy desserts
Gravies
Heavy cheese sauces, creams, and cheese chunks (the high fat content can lead to pancreas problems and intestinal problems.)
Pork or pork bones of any kind (This meat has one of the highest concentrations of fat.)
Fatty beef or beef bones of any kind except very large soup bones
Mashed potatoes with butter or baked potatoes with butter and sour cream
Cookies, cakes, and pies of any kind
Candy (Sugar is very harmful to pets.)
What CAN I feed my pet every once in awhile for a treat?
*Any food that is not a "pet food" item can be harmful to your pet. Always consult with your veterinarian before introducing any table foods to your pet.
Large soup bones
Chicken (never the bones!)
Low-fat milk
Dry cereal
Hot cereals like cream of wheat or oatmeal without adding butter
Sardines
Canned cat food
Turkey baby food
Broth
Chicken noodle soup (Homemade is better- less salt.)
Pureed liver
Beef Stew
Yogurt
Cottage cheese warmed
Canned mackerel
Canned tuna
Cooked eggs (Hard-boiled eggs are best- less fat.)
Pasta
Pancakes or waffles
Crackers
Cucumbers
Grapes
Bananas
Apples
Potato (raw especially)
We can not just watch what our poochie or kitty is eating. No, we must also insure that they get the proper exercise. Dr. Anne Lazar, an AAHA member, recommends that young and middle-aged pets start an exercise regime by walking 10 to 15 minutes each and every day. The workout time should increase gradually. She says that exercise at an early age contributes to the onset of arthritis at a younger age. A veterinarian should first examine older dogs before starting any exercise regimen
Here is some great advice for keeping Ms. Kitty from becoming Ms. Piggy. Even though we are not accustomed to seeing cats on a leash, cats can be trained to use one. A harness type of leash is best. This prevents injury to the very fragile neck area of a cat. If Ms. Kitty resists a leash or walking, other activities that require movement. Playing with string, socks, or even shoelaces can be fun exercise for you cat. This is just one example of many creative solutions to exercising kitty.
By feeding our pets wisely, having an exercise plan in place, and using a little common sense, we can keep our pets healthy for many years to come. These will be added years of joy and companionship for you and your family, not to mention for Mr. Poochie and Ms. Kitty!
Written by Katherine West
