Dogs and Cats can be a wonderful addition to any home, but whether you're an experienced pet parent or a first-time adopter, it's important to keep your canine and feline companion's health and happiness a top priority. Below are some useful tips for all pet parents.
1. Puppies eight to 12 weeks old need four meals a day.
2. Feed puppies three to six months old three meals a day.
3. Feed puppies six months to one year two meals a day.
4. When your dog reaches his first birthday, one meal a day is usually enough.
5. For some dogs, including larger canines or those prone to bloat, it's better to feed two smaller meals.
Premium-quality dry food provides a well-balanced diet for adult dogs and may be mixed with water, broth or canned food. Your dog may enjoy cottage cheese, cooked egg or fruits and vegetables, but these additions should not total more than ten percent of his daily food intake.
Salt is another ingredient that you should avoid giving to your dogs as it could lead to sodium ion poisoning.
Daily weight gain is an indication that the diet is meeting the kittens’ nutritional needs.
1. Kittens must be warm; they cannot digest properly if their body temperature is low.
2. Combine 1-part powdered KMR (Kitten Milk Replacement) formula to 2 parts water. (NEVER give them cow’s milk and keep them on the same formula.)
3. Kittens should eat 2 tablespoons of formula per 4 ounces of body weight within a 24-hour period.
4. Feed kittens less than 2 weeks of age at least every 2 hours.
5. Kittens 2 to 4 weeks of age should eat every 3-4 hours. If they are sleeping for longer periods during the night, do not wake them to feed.
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that they rely on nutrients found only in animal products. Cats evolved as hunters that consume prey that contains high amounts of protein, moderate amounts of fat, and a minimal amount of carbohydrates, and their diet still requires these general proportions today.
Dry food contains between six and 10 percent water. Depending on the specific formulation, a mixture of ingredients are combined, extruded, and dried into bite-sized pieces. Ingredients may include:
1. meat and/or meat by-products
2. poultry and/or poultry by-products
3. grain and/or grain by-products
4. fish meal
5. fibre sources
6. milk products
7. vitamin and mineral supplements
Dogs need exercise to burn calories, stimulate their minds, and stay healthy. Individual exercise needs vary based on breed or breed mix, sex, age and level of health. Exercise also tends to help dogs avoid boredom, which can lead to destructive behaviours. Supervised fun and games will satisfy many of your pet's instinctual urges to dig, herd, chew, retrieve and chase.
Playing with your cat, or interactive play is a great way to get your kitty moving every day. Especially if they are an indoor-only pet, your cat will benefit both physically and mentally, from kittenhood all the way through their golden years. While kittens and young adult cats tend to spontaneously play and entertain themselves, older and overweight cats may need you to help find their inner kitten.
