Beyond Dry Food: How to Feed Your Pet?

Taking care of your dog and cat and prioritizing their health is essential for their well-being and happiness. Regular veterinary check-ups, a balanced diet, and adequate exercise help prevent illnesses and ensure they live long and healthy.

In this article, we will dive deeper to help you know if you are choosing the right food for them, how frequently they should eat, and how to make sure your pet’s diet is suitable for them.

Pet’s Nutrition Importance

Good nutrition is vital for your dog or cat for numerous reasons and by good nutrition we mean food that provides complete and balanced nutrition, offering the right mix of minerals and nutrients your pet needs. Here’s how it benefits your pet:

• Enhances their quality of life, keeping them healthy, happy, and active for longer periods.
• Contributes to healthy skin, fur, and stronger immune systems.
• Reduces waste, making cleanup in the litter box and yard easier.

Be Cautious that

• Supplementing a high-quality diet with human food, excessive treats, or additional vitamins is unnecessary and can be harmful to your pet and cause obesity.
• Supplements cannot compensate for a poor diet, as they fail to provide the proper nutrient balance.
• Raw or home-cooked diets are often not nutritionally balanced for pets and can cause bladder stones for your pet, so, consulting a nutritionist is recommended if you choose these options.

Warning tip: Nutritional deficiencies or excesses can lead to serious health issues, including allergies, heart disease, kidney disease, and other organ dysfunctions.

Canned Food for Cats and Dogs

Canned food can help keep your cat hydrated, which is crucial for kidney and bladder health. Since approximately 80% of canned food is water, it can be particularly beneficial if your cat doesn’t drink enough water on their own.

However, this is not the case for dogs when shopping for dog food. When shopping for dog food, prioritize two main nutrients: protein and fats. Ensure the food contains at least 18% protein, as it is an essential component of a well-balanced diet for dogs.

Watch Out for Allergies

Dogs and cats with food allergies typically exhibit skin-related symptoms, such as infections or hair loss around their ears, back, mouth, or rear end. Fortunately, food allergies are relatively rare. Of all dogs with allergy-related conditions, only about 10% are associated with food.

Foods Causing Allergies

The most common food allergens in dogs and cats are proteins, particularly those from dairy, beef, chicken, chicken eggs, soy, and wheat gluten. Whenever a pet consumes food with these ingredients, antibodies react with the antigens, leading to symptoms.

However, any food ingredient can potentially trigger an allergy.

You need to check with your pet’s veterinarian if you notice any unusual reaction from your dog or cat when eating certain foods.

Dry Food vs Wet Food

Wet and dry foods have similar protein and fat levels, but dry foods contain significantly more carbohydrates. While dogs and cats can digest carbohydrates, cats do so less efficiently.

This difference may be relevant, as cats are highly sensitive to amino acids and cannot taste sweetness. Some researchers theorize that cats prefer wet foods because their nutrient profiles more closely resemble their natural diets.

Kibble offers several advantages over wet food, making it a convenient option for pet owners.

1. Ease of Handling and Feeding

• Kibble is easier to handle and feed compared to wet food, which spoils within hours of opening or lasts up to five days if refrigerated.
• Dry food is more suitable for travel and reduces waste if not eaten immediately.

2. Convenience and Cleanliness

• Dry food requires minimal cleanup and doesn’t have the strong odor some pet parents find unpleasant.
• Wet food, on the other hand, requires regular cleaning after your pet finishes eating.

3. Dental Health

• The crunchy texture of kibble can help remove dental plaque, contributing to a healthier mouth and fresher breath.
• While it doesn’t replace other dental care practices, kibble can slow down the progression of dental disease compared to wet food.

4. Nutritional and Financial Benefits

• Dry food is more nutrient-dense and typically more budget-friendly than wet food, making it a practical choice for pet owners.

Best Food Brands for Cats in Kuwait

1. Whiskas cat food.
2. Bado Chunks In Jelly.
3. Butchers Delicious Dinners.
4. Pronature for adult cats and kittens.

Best Food Brands for Dogs in Kuwait

1. Lavita
2. Applaws
3. Winner Plus
4. Canifors
5. Belcando
6. Eco Natura

How Often Should I Feed my Pet?

• For puppies and kittens under 3 months old, eating 4 times a day is ideal.
• From 3 to 5 months, they should be fed 3 times a day.
• Adults should be fed twice daily.

We recommend controlled feedings for all pets rather than leaving food out all the time, as this can lead to obesity. Younger dogs and cats can typically transition to adult food between 6 months and 1 year of age.

Shifting to a Different Nutrition Plan

Some pets have delicate stomachs and might get sick or stop eating if their food changes too frequently. A sudden change can disrupt their intestinal environment, leading to diarrhea, vomiting, and refusal to eat.
Here’s a simple trick: the “1/4 every 4 days” rule.

• Start with their usual food (75%) mixed with a little bit (25%) of the new food for 4 days.
• Then, for the next 4 days, mix half (50%) of each food.
• Finally, for the last 4 days, give them mostly (75%) of the new food with a little (25%) of the old food.

By following this gradual switch, your pet’s tummy should adjust comfortably to the new food.

Pets Food on 4Sale

If you’re looking for a good treat, dry food, or even supplements for your pet, 4Sale provides you with an extensive selection of different pet food types and brands to choose from to take care of your dog’s and cat’s nutritional needs. Check our platform now.