- Q: How often should I feed my pet?
- A: Puppies and kittens should be fed three times a day from weaning (at about 6 weeks) up until three to four months of age,
depending on the size of your pet. After 4 months, they should be fed twice a day. Most dogs and cats should continue to be fed
twice a day throughout their lives, although some pets do well with once-a-day feedings.
- Q: How much should I give my pet to eat?
- A: The amount depends on your pet's age, size, and activity level. Begin with the recommended daily portion according to the
manufacturer's feeding guidelines and adjust the amount as needed. Remember to divide the portion appropriately if you feed the pet
more than once a day. (Note: The manufacturers tend to slightly overestimate the amount your pet should be fed. Remember they want to sell pet food.)
- Q: How do I introduce a new diet to my pet?
- A: Be sure to introduce the food slowly. Start with a daily portion of approximately 25 percent new food and 75 percent old food.
Feed this for three days. If your pet's stool remains firm and consistent then increase new food portion to 50 percent and 50 percent old food.
Feed this for three days. If your pet's stool remains consistent then 75 percent new food and 25 percent old food for three days. Then you will
be entirely on the new diet. A total dietary switch in pet food can safely occur in approximately 9 to 10 days.
- Q: Should I feed canned food, dry food, or both?
- A: The crunchy texture of dry food promotes healthy teeth and gums. Canned food can be fed by itself, used as a treat, or mixed with dry food.
Avoid switching back and forth too often because constant change can lead to a finicky eater and irregular stools.
- Q: Will it hurt my cat or dog if they eat each other's food?
- A: Cats and dogs have different nutritional requirements and should not eat each other's food on a regular basis. However, an occasional venture
into each other's bowls is usually not harmful.
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- Q: How many biscuits can I give to our dog each day?
- A: A good rule of thumb to follow is two small biscuits per cup of food. Keep in mind when you supplement treats or biscuits to their daily diet,
calories are added, so you may need to reduce the amount of food you feed.
- Q: How do I get my pet to eat dry food after he's eaten scraps from the table?
- A: Dogs and cats are creatures of habit and will often resist change when you switch their diets. You and your family members need to stop feeding
them from the table completely. This is best accomplished by removing the pet from the kitchen or dining room during mealtimes. Be persistent when offering dry food;
the pet may refuse to eat several meals before giving it a chance. You can try mixing some canned food in with the dry food as an additional incentive.
- Q: What should I do if my pet is constipated or has loose stools?
- A: Your pet's stools should be small and firm depending on the size of your pet. Most cases of constipation or loose stools are temporary and are caused by dietary
indiscretion. Loose stools can also be due to an abrupt change in diet, overeating, intestinal parasites, medication, viral or bacterial infections, and stress. If constipation
or diarrhea persist for more than a day, please contact us.
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