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