Choosing The Best Pet Food For Your Best Friend

In order to choose the best food for your pet, you should consider individual characteristics.  Since dogs and cats are the most common pets, let’s discuss dog and cat food.  First, weed out any foods that list wheat, corn or other fillers before meat or fish ingredients.  Next, take any veterinary recommendations into consideration.  If your pet has a specific disorder such as kidney disease, skin disease, or obesity, it’s likely that the vet has put him or her on a special diet.

Food For Cats

Cat food is specially formulated with nutrients cats need, and it is different than dog food.  Although both species are carnivorous, dogs are much more omnivorous than cats and can tolerate higher amounts of vegetable matter in their food.  Cats digestive systems, urinary systems, and vision all require special nutrients!

Feed your cat a high quality food appropriate for his or her stage of life.  If you’ve got a cat under a year old, he or she should be eating kitten food or a food that is approved for “all life stages”.   Pregnant and nursing cats should also eat kitten food, and their food should be supplemented since growth and lactation takes plenty of energy.

Keep your cats’ food fresh by using appropriate pet food storage containers designed to keep nutrients in while preventing pests or dampness.  Since many high quality foods often cost less when bought in bulk, it makes sense to buy extra and store it for later.

Choosing Dog Food

Just like cats, dogs need special food.  While some foods humans eat can be appropriate for dogs, many foods high in sugar and starches are not compatible with a dog’s digestive system.  Although a dog will usually wolf down any treat you give him, it doesn’t necessarily mean that just any old thing will do.  Keep treats small and healthy.  Dogs are prone to obesity, and a fat dog is prone to diseases just like we humans are.

Puppies need to eat puppy food until they are at least a year old.  Pregnant and lactating bitches need to eat puppy food as well, and that should always be supplemented with extra vitamins and minerals to replenish her body’s stores.

Choose food according to your dog’s specific breed – large breed dogs should eat large breed formula food until they are finished growing.  Slower growth means that their joints and the rest of their body’s structures will form properly.  A large breed dog like a shepherd or retriever who grows too quickly is prone to hip dysplasia and other joint–related illnesses.

Be sure to keep your dog’s food fresh by using an appropriate storage bin.  Some pet food storage systems designed for dogs can be taken along while traveling, and others are designed to hold as much as fifty pounds of food.  Keep your dog healthy and happy by providing plenty of good food and fresh water every day!