A Guide To Feeding Your Pet
Sometimes, with all the hype about name brand pet food, natural pet food, and diet pet food, it can be a bit overwhelming when deciding which to feed your pet. While it very common for people to purchase pet food at a supermarket or pet supply store, an increase is showing in the number of people who are beginning to make their own pet food.
An article by Shirley Lipschutz-Robinson sings the praises of a raw food diet for all pets. Her argument revolves around the feeding habits of animals in the wild. She states that domestic pet diets lack the necessary nutrients to keep our animals healthy and active. Veterinarians report an increase in multiple diseases resulting from that lack of raw meat in both dogs and cats, according to the author.
Most pet owners, however, prefer to purchase foods produced specifically for pets. Pet food varies greatly in terms of quality. Certain brands (Science Diet dog food, Purina Puppy Chow) are more expensive and believed to contain more nutrients and therefore, to be better for pet feeding. Be sure you have fresh water available for your pet at all times.
Pet Feeding for Dogs: Commercial brands of pet food for dogs include canned food, dry food and semi-moist food. Up to 50% of your canine’s diet can come from carbohydrates such as grain. Vets do not recommend semi-moist food because of the additives and chemicals in them. Adult dogs may be fed once or twice per day, while puppies require more frequent feedings. There are brands that specifically specialize in all natural dog food, so if you decide you do want to feed your dog a more natural diet, you may look into it.
Never feed your dog chocolate, onions or garlic in any form (fresh, powder, flakes), persimmons, plant leaves (potato, tomato, rhubarb), mushrooms, grapes / raisins, or macadamia nuts. Also, do not let your dog chew on dryer sheets or eat human vitamins. The chemicals are harmful to them.
Cats also have a variety of food to choose from, ranging from dry, to semi-moist, to canned (wet). As with semi-moist dog food, veterinarians do not recommend it due to the preservative chemicals it contains. Cats require a high moisture content in their food, therefore it may be a good idea to stock up on canned food, which has a terrific balance of moisture.
Cats should never be fed yeast dough, mushrooms, onions or garlic an any form, plant leaves, salt, sugary foods, raw eggs, persimmons, grapes / raisins or macadamia nuts. Milk is not good for a cat’s digestive system, even though kittens are able to tolerate a small amount.