As the festive season sets in ever and we start crossing items off the gift-list for Christmas, it's time to give a thought to our treasured pets and to ensure that we're making sure we're getting them the right food and pet supplies to meet their dietary needs.
How do we make sure we're getting the right food for our pet though when there's so much choice out there? Well, there are some simple guidelines to follow.
As with humans, dogs have differing needs in quality, quantity and type of dog food and requirements change with age. What serves as a good diet for an energetic young puppy won't be suited to an older, senior dog.
Did you know that a healthy puppy burns up to three times more calories a day than an adult dog? Or that while big dogs have bog appetites, smaller dogs have faster metabolism and will burn more energy, requiring more calories each day?
As puppies are smaller their mouths are smaller and, accordingly, the right diet for your puppy will need to be of smaller kibbles they can chew easier. An adult dog will need a diet that balances six major nutrient groups: fats and oils, proteins, minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates and water.
Dogs require less calories from their diet the older they get to prevent them becoming overweight, older dogs are more prone to weight issues. Protein is still essential though, to maintain a good body condition and muscle mass.
Part of the feeding routine should also include where and how your dog is fed. For example, avoid feeding your dog before it travels in the car as, like humans, they can be prone to car-sickness. Feeding a dog an hour before or after exercise is also to be avoided, this could leave to stomach dilation and torsion which is life threatening in dogs.
Unsurprisingly, cat food plays a huge roll in the health of a cat. From reducing the amount of furballs to ensuring a glossy coat, what your cat eat affects every aspect of its life and as the weather gets colder it's even more important to make sure your cat is well fed.
Within their diet, cats require a minimum of forty-one nutrients all in the correct proportion. Nutrients include amino acids, fats, vitamins and minerals and are divided into protein, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins and minerals.
Meat, fish and some plant ingredients and oils provide protein and fats. The proteins are building blocks for healthy skin, nails, muscles, tendons, ligaments and cartilage and play an important part in hormone production. While it has negative connotations, fat is essential for cell membranes and helping your cat maintain body temperature.
Carbohydrates are essential for promoting the proper digestion and movement of food in a cat. Vitamins and minerals aid bone growth, blood clotting, energy production and oxidant protection.
When selecting your cat's food make sure that it contains a balanced amount of each nutrient group. Cat food also needs to be palatable or your cat simply won't eat it. Your cat should always have access to clean water too, not just to take the taste of cat food away - after all, they like it - but water is the most important nutrient for them.
Keep an eye on your pet's eating habits; like people they're not always hungry but if they're not eating all their food regularly this may be a sign that you're feeding too to much or that it may be ill. Though don't crowd your pet during meal time. Taking the bowl from your cat or dog can lead to anxiety and aggression.
Your dog or cat should also leave you alone while you're eating. No matter how big the puppy-dog eyes get or how much your cat purrs and rubs against your leg, avoid feeding your pet from your plate or table or you'll be encouraging begging, barking and drooling (in the dogs, that is) and general attention seeking.
It may seem like a fair bit to remember but it's really very little when you consider how much joy our pets bring to us.
