| Most pet owners put as much thought and care into | | | | the advantage of staying fresh longer once it has |
| feeding our cat or dog as we do to feeding | | | | been opened. It also tends to be the least expensive |
| ourselves. Browse the pet food section of your local | | | | as well as the least tasty - if you have a finicky cat, |
| supermarket and you will see an incredibly large | | | | he or she may not be enthusiastic about dry food. A |
| choice of cat and dog food to choose from, and | | | | cat eating only dry food will drink more water. |
| there are even more options if you shop at a pet | | | | Moist cat food is similar to dry food, but is soft and |
| store. | | | | chewy - most cats are able to easily eat this kind of |
| The wording on pet food sold in the US is regulated | | | | food. Moist cat food has moisture content of around |
| by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. | | | | 35%, so if you are feeding your cat exclusively moist |
| (AAFCO) Pet food manufacturers must list the | | | | food, make sure that water is readily available. Once |
| ingredients by weight - with the first ingredient being | | | | the food has been opened, it tends to dry out |
| the main one. The nutritional breakdown of fat, fiber | | | | quickly and lose its taste. |
| and protein indicate that the food contains the | | | | Even the most finicky cat will eat and enjoy canned |
| minimum amount indicated and not necessarily the full | | | | food. Canned food comes in an often overwhelming |
| amount. | | | | variety of flavors and the cost can vary, based on |
| The pet food industry is entirely self-regulated and | | | | the content and quality of the meat. And cats that |
| there is nothing to prevent pet food companies from | | | | only eat canned food are getting plenty of water - |
| using poor quality ingredients. Consider buying name | | | | most canned food has moisture content of around |
| brand pet foods for your cat or dog. They may be | | | | 75%. |
| priced slightly higher than the equivalent store brand - | | | | Dog food also comes in the three basic types - dry, |
| but premium pet foods generally have higher quality | | | | moist and canned. Dry food is less expensive, as well |
| ingredients as well as contain added vitamins and | | | | as being easier to buy in bulk and store. And dogs |
| antioxidants. | | | | can benefit from a diet of dry food as it helps to |
| Try to choose pet food that suits the specific needs | | | | reduce a build up of tartar and generally helps to |
| of your pet - your cat or dog will have different | | | | exercise your dog's mouth muscles. |
| dietary needs as a puppy or kitten, than when full | | | | Moist foods for dogs can often contain a large |
| grown. You may find that you change your pet's | | | | amount of preservatives and artificial colors. They |
| food several times over the course of his or her life, | | | | also tend to be high in sugar content and are not |
| especially if their health deteriorates. | | | | generally considered a good source of nutrition. |
| You can buy pet food that is designed specifically for | | | | Canned food tends to be better quality and actually |
| young or old pets, pets that are diabetic, lactating or | | | | contains real meat. An older dog or a dog with sore |
| pregnant - and even food designed for cats that | | | | gums or having difficulty chewing should be fed |
| have a problem with fur balls. There are cat and dog | | | | canned food. However, canned food is costlier - |
| foods that are designed for the indoor or inactive | | | | especially when feeding a larger dog. |
| pet. Never feed dog food to cats or cat food to | | | | If you are changing the type of food your cat or |
| dogs. | | | | dog eats, one effective method is to gradually mix in |
| Perhaps your biggest decision will be whether to feed | | | | the new food with the old over a period of several |
| your pet dry or moist foods. There are advantages | | | | days. On the first day, the serving should consist of |
| to each of these - and it doesn't hurt to vary your | | | | ¾ old foods and ¼ new food, on the nest |
| pet's diet by alternating between them. And if you | | | | day ½ and ½ and so on, until your pet is |
| are going to feed your pet the occasional treat, try | | | | eating just the new food. |
| to choose healthy treats - a surprising number of pet | | | | Always discuss your pet's diet with your vet. It is |
| treats are unhealthy with a high fat content. | | | | worth taking the trouble to ensure that your cat or |
| Cats have three basic types of food - dry, moist and | | | | dog is not only enjoying mealtimes, but is being fed |
| canned food. Dry food - also known as kibble - has | | | | the right food too. |