Every pet is unique and just like with people, there is no one size fits all when it comes to a diet. Most humans try to eat healthily and maintain a healthy lifestyle and so should your pet. Our core belief at Augusta Animal Clinic in Indianapolis is to provide ongoing nutrition and problem prevention for your pet so that it has the longest and happiest life possible.
Choosing the Best Pet Food
There are so many types of dog and cat food on the market, the options leave you as a pet owner wondering which one is best for your pet. If it’s a colorful mixture of food, are the green and orange bits actually peas and carrots? Is organic food better? What is grain free all about? These are a few of the many questions that are likely to enter your mind when choosing food for your new pet. Just because a food looks good doesn’t necessarily mean it is the best choice for your pet. Dog and cat food should be approved by the Association of American Feed Control Office (AAFCO) and deemed a complete and balanced diet.
Specialized Diets for Your Dog or Cat
There are many specialized pet foods that are targeted for specific results. You have the life stages for pet food such as kitten and puppies, adults and mature pets. Puppies and kittens need more nutrients to grow healthy bones. A mature diet for your pet will be lower in fat to accommodate their lack of exercise in their golden years, so they don’t become overweight. Other specialized foods include specific ingredients that may reduce ear infections, dermatitis or grain-free for pets with food allergies. Overweight pets will likely need a weight management formula to get them back to a healthy weight and reduce the occurrence of health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory illness, kidney disease, and arthritis. You will also find pet food based on your dog’s size such as large breed food or very small kibble for toy breeds.
Say No to Fat Cats and Pudgy Puppies
The biggest mistake that pet owners make in feeding their pets is to overfeed them. Puppies and kittens can overeat easily becoming too heavy and even contract illnesses. The back of your particular food bag will have recommendations by age and weight as to how much you should feed your pet. However, this information is just a guideline and you should ask your veterinarian for the specifics for your individual pet. A pet will often overeat if it is fed by leaving food in a food bowl at all times or the pet will stop eating when it is full. It just depends on your particular cat or dog.
