Pets, like people, can have major problems due to how well and how much/little they are fed.  Pets can have as many health issues relating to food that people do.  Because of this, you need to be cognizant of your pet’s dietary needs.     

(Always keep in mind the Critter Lover Golden Rule:     Our pets are relying on us to do the right thing in keeping it healthy in every way.    We hold the keys to their overall well-being .)

Do your research.  Consulting your veterinarian about your pet’s feeding needs will surely help.  You can also read up on what diet is best for your pet.   Take into consideration age, weight, medical history, activity level, territorial food combat with other animals, etc.

Be aware that certain foods are better for certain pets.  For example, goldfish food should not be fed to tropical fish—the size and type of food is totally different.  Also bird feed differs for different types of birds.

It is not wise to rely totally on past history of what your parents fed their pets.  New advances and understanding in pet health issues have changed in the past few years and what was believed to be the ideal way to feed your dog or cat in the olden days may not really be the best way today. 

In previous years, dogs may have been fed totally on table scraps and chicken bones.  Today it is known that this type of food can be detrimental to your pet’s health.  They could be getting too much rich, fat food in their diet, or they could choke on a chicken bone. 

Today there are many brands of pet food made especially for your type of animal—even special ones for, say, small dogs versus large dogs, or kitten food versus food to aging cats.  The pet food companies try to incorporate the correct amount of vitamins and nutrients into the food that your pet needs to keep it healthy.  Many are dry varieties, but the pet food companies also try to keep pets happy with the taste. 

Although it may encourage unwanted begging at the dinner table, it would not do physical harm give your pet the occasional treat or table scraps that they may enjoy (as long as it is not something harmful like chicken bones).  Just as people can indulge in the occasional decadent dessert, so can you treat your pet.  The important thing is that your pet receives the right food for it the majority of the time so that it gets a proper diet to keep it healthy.

When feeding your pet take a note from the ‘Book of People’.  When people are overweight they are more prone to bad health issues.  This is the same with your pet.  In order to keep your pet healthy, be aware of its weight.  Overfeeding, even with loving intentions, can cause your pet to die before it should.   On the flip side…. in some animals,  starvation for even  less than 24 hours could be fatal.

Be aware of the fact that your pet may have different dietary requirement those listed on the food packaging label.    Keep a log of your pet’s intake/output.   This will be valuable information for your vet or nutritional consultant in determining the appropriate food type and feeding schedule for your pet’s specific nutritional needs. Back