You are what you eat – that applies to our beloved furry friends too! A good diet is one of the best ways to keep your dog and cat healthy. There are thousands of food options for pets in the market, choosing the right food can be tough for pet owners! What to do? Read on for more tips!
1. Look for food label
The simplest way is to look for the label “complete and balanced”. It is an official term used by pet-food companies to signify the food has been formulated to provide for your pet’s full nutritional needs. Besides, look for a statement from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO, a voluntary membership association of agencies that sets minimum and maximum requirements for the nutrients in pet food.)
2. Life Stage and lifestyle
Pet in different life stage need different nutrients. There are several nutrients that differ by need for growth compared with adult maintenance, namely, protein, calcium, phosphorus, and fat.
Also, you need to consider your pet’s lifestyle too. Your dog loves outdoor activity or he/she is a couch potato? Your cat mostly spends his/her time indoor or outdoor? A more calorie-dense diet is better for more active pets, whereas your lounge lover may need a lighter, more calorie-controlled diet.
3. Wet food or Dry food?
They are both fine for your pet. Wet food, while generally more expensive than dry, can be beneficial for pets with low appetites or bad dental health, or those who need more hydration (like cats, who typically have low thirst drive, or dogs with kidney issues). Wet food and dry food have similar protein and fat-levels, but dry foods contain significantly more carbohydrates.
In terms of cost, dry food is less expensive so those on a strict budget may choose this option. Besides, dry food also does not have to be stored in the refrigerator and can be kept for a longer time. You can also use dry food in automatic feeders or in puzzle feeder toys.
4. When to give treats?
Treats can be used to reward good behavior. Don’t feed a treat to a pet that is excited, jumping around, climbing on things, etc. Treating your pet when they are hyper will reinforce negative behaviors. Besides, please make sure that treats only add up to around 10% of your pet’s daily calories.
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