CATS
► HOW DO I CHOOSE A PET FOOD?
Think quality! First of all, with pet foods, as with most things, you get what you pay for. Cheap cat foods use cheap ingredients, are not well digested and may hve excesses or deficiencies in vital nutrients, which can harm your pet. We suggest a well-known name brand. And by all means, please ask us for recommendations.
Keep in mind that a fancy pet store brand is not necessarily better, it may just have a higher price and fancier brochure. Your pet will usually do best if you pick one complete food that is appropriate for their age and activity level, and stick with it. Animals do not really need variety in their diets if they are eating good quality food, and they are more prone to digestive upsets when on a varied diet or table scaps. This can also cause problems for you by developing a finicky eater when you constantly switch foods. If you need to change from one food to another, do so gradually by mixing the two diets together for a few days.
For a kitten, this means kitten food. Young, rapidly growning animals need more nutrition. As your pet ages, gains weight or develops health problems, nutritional needs may change and we will be happy to discuss this with you.
Cats are nibblers and need at least 2 meals a day throught their lives. Continue to feed a diet made for kittens until your cat is 1 year old. Any questions, please ask us, that's what we're here for.
• PET FOOD RECALL INFORMATION: CLICK HERE This information is from USDA and the list kept updated. Plus we will tweet about any new recalls.
► What About Treats?
An increasing number of cat owners feed treats to their pets, as well as their regular food. A daily treat will not harm your pet unless your cat has a diet related disease, but it is best to give these treats in moderation.
► Supplements and Calories
Do not give any vitamin or mineral supplements to your cat with discussing with us first. These types of supplements can easily cause harmful nutrient excesses, especially calcium and the fat soluble vitamines: A, D, E and K.
Kittens need lots of calories to grown on, and plenty of fresh water. Until they are 4 months old, feed at least three meals a day, giving as much as the animal will consume in a ten to fifteen minute feeding.
Senior pets often benefit from glucosamine supplemntation, but this nutrient has always been present in pet foods. Ask us for advice regarding pet food nutrients and what is appropriate for your pet at each stage of their life.
► DENTISTRY FOR YOUR CAT
Your pets, as well as you, deserve regular dental care. After your pet reaches a few years of age, tartar begins to build up at the junction of their gums and teeth. If this tartar is not removed, it increases until it undermines the tissue and causes receding gums. The area then becomes infected, which is called periodontal disease. Infection leads to foul breath, as well as pain and constant unsavory taste for the pet. If the situation is not soon remedied, severe gum infections, abscessed teeth, and cheek ulcers will develop. Unfortunately, chronic infections of the teeth and gums result in problems elsewhere in the body. Bacteria enters the bloodstream from infected teeth and cause infection in organs such as the liver, the kidneys, the heart and the joints. Good dental care lengthens pets' lives an average of 10 to 20% through the prevention of these secondary problems. Talk with us about good oral care for your pet.
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