The 7 Most Common Mistakes When Feeding Dogs and Cats
Did you know that 60% of veterinary problems are linked to inadequate nutrition?
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How you feed your pet can determine its health and longevity. Every dietary choice directly impacts your pet's well-being.
Many tutors unintentionally make mistakes that harm the health of animals.
From overeating to lack of hydration, small mistakes can have big consequences. This article will help you identify and correct these habits.
With practical information, you will ensure a balanced diet, preventing diseases and ensuring more years of life for your pet.
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Remember: caring for your nutrition is an act of love. Let's work together to transform every meal into a healthy one.
Introduction: Why is your pet's diet so important?
Choosing the right diet can increase your life expectancy by years. life of your animal.
Studies show that pets with balanced diet live up to 20% longer, avoiding chronic diseases.
High-quality proteins, for example, are vital for kidney function. They help filter toxins and keep the body healthy.
Diets poor in nutrients can overload the kidneys.
When choosing food, you can opt for industrialized or natural food.
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The first is practical and balanced, while the second offers fresh ingredients. But both require care to avoid nutritional deficiencies.
Each phase of the life of yours pet asks for adjustments.
Puppies require more energy, adults require maintenance, and seniors require joint support. Ignoring this can lead to obesity, diabetes, or even joint problems.
Take care of health of your partner with attention to nutritional needsSmall mistakes today can become big problems tomorrow.
Leave food available at all times
Many owners believe that leaving food out is a gesture of affection.
But this practice can be harmful. 40% of pets with unlimited access to food develop obesity, according to veterinary studies.
The satiety mechanism of animals is different from ours.
While humans stop eating when full, many pets continue until they are finished. foodThis occurs due to the natural instinct to store energy.
See more: Forbidden Foods for Dogs and Cats: What to Avoid?
A real case shows the risks: a cat developed hepatolipidosis after months of overfeeding.
This serious liver disease was caused by constant excess fat in the body.
To avoid problems, follow these recommendations:
| Dog size | Meals per day | Daily amount |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 2-3 | 50-100g |
| Average | 3 | 150-300g |
| Big | 3-4 | 400-600g |
Research reveals that 68% of the tutors they make mistakes in amount ideal. Always consult a veterinarian to adjust portions to your dog's weight, age, and activity level. animal.
A valuable tip: interactive feeders help control feeding speed.
See also: Bathing Cats: When Is It Necessary and How to Do It Without Trauma?
They transform the time of food in a mental exercise, avoiding excessive intake.
Remember: setting fixed schedules is essential.
Just like us, pets benefit from regular feeding routines. Learn more about ideal times for food.
Offer milk and dairy products to adult animals
Despite popular belief, milk is not a food ideal for adult pets.
Studies show that 85% of cats develop lactose intolerance after weaning. The same is true for many dogs.
The problem lies in biochemistry: over time, the animal's body produces less lactase, the enzyme that digests milk sugar.
Without it, lactose ferments in the intestine, which can cause severe discomfort.
The most common symptoms include:
- Diarrhea and gas
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
Aged cheeses, ice cream, and cream cheese are even worse. They concentrate lactose and fat, overloading the pancreas. In extreme cases, this leads to acute pancreatitis.
A shocking veterinary report: a cat required hospitalization after consuming yogurt. The case developed severe gastroenteritis, requiring days of intensive treatment.
Want to please your pet without any risks?
Choose safe alternatives:
- Specific vegetable milks for animals
- Lactose-free snacks
- Fresh water always available
Remember: what seems like affection can be a error dangerous. To better understand the risks, read this complete guide about intestinal problems in pets.
Take care of your companion's health with conscious choices. Your pet will thank you!
Overdoing snacks and extra foods
That extra biscuit could be the equivalent of a whole hamburger. diet of your animal. Snacks in excess is one of the most common and harmful mistakes in pet nutrition.
Studies show that these treats can account for up to 30% of your daily calories.
This overloads the body and leads to problems such as obesity and diabetes.
“A 10kg dog that eats two biscuits a day ingests the equivalent of a human consuming an additional hamburger”
Discover healthier alternatives:
- Raw carrot cut into sticks
- Apple pieces (seedless)
- High quality synthetic bones quality
A real-life case shocked experts: a Labrador reached 401 pounds overweight. The reason? Snacks industrialized data without control.
Follow the 90/10 rule: only 10% of daily calories should come from extras. The remaining 90% should come from the balanced diet.
Want to reward your pet?
Use part of the normal portion of food as a reward. This way, you avoid excess caloric and maintains balanced nutrition.
Mixing homemade food and unbalanced feed
Combining different types of food without guidance can pose an unseen risk to your pet. What appears to be a varied diet can cause serious imbalances.
Many food homemade contain nutrients in different amounts than portion industrialized.
When mixed without criteria, can take to dangerous excesses or deficiencies.
Studies show that 35% of cases of hypervitaminosis in pets come from poorly calculated mixed diets.
Excess vitamins A and D, common in livers and oils, overload the liver.
A balanced menu should include:
- 70% of quality feed
- 30% of cooked lean proteins
- Chopped vegetables (carrots, zucchini)
Phosphorus is another hidden villain. Diets with raw meat and kibble combined can exceed the recommended daily intake by 300%. nutritional needs daily. This forces the kidneys to work overtime.
A real-life case shocked experts: a dog developed kidney failure after months of homemade supplementation with ground bones. The excess minerals destroyed its kidney function.
“The transition between diets should be gradual and supervised.
Each animal has unique metabolisms that require precise calculations.”
| Nutrient | Food (100g) | Homemade food (100g) |
|---|---|---|
| Proteins | 22g | 18-35g |
| Match | 0.6g | 0.8-1.5g |
| Calcium | 1.2g | 0.1-0.3g |
To introduce changes safely:
- Start with 10% new food + 90% kibble
- Increase 5% every week
- Monitor weight and behavior
Remember: only a professional can calculate the ideal proportions to avoid illnessesYour pet deserves precise nutrition, not risky attempts.
Ignoring specific nutritional needs
Each pet has unique requirements that vary by species, size and life stage.
Needs protein, by example, differ quite a bit: dogs need 18-22% of protein, while cats require 26-30%.
Brachycephalic breeds, such as pugs and bulldogs, present special challenges.
Their shorter digestive system demands highly digestible foods and smaller portions throughout the day.
“A cat fed dog food can develop blindness due to taurine deficiency within a few months”
Check out the basic nutritional differences:
| Nutrient | Dogs | Cats |
|---|---|---|
| Proteins | 18-22% | 26-30% |
| Taurine | Non-essential | Essential |
| Vitamin A | Can synthesize | Need to consume |
Large puppies grow quickly but need calorie control.
Excess weight at this stage puts strain on developing joints. Miniature puppies require frequent meals to avoid hypoglycemia.
Elderly pets or those with special conditions deserve extra attention.
Kidney problems, for example, require adjustments in phosphorus and protein levels. Food allergies are also common and require exclusion diets.
When choosing food:
- Check if it meets the animal's life stage
- Check the list of ingredients, meat should come first
- Please note the guaranteed levels of vitamins and minerals
Modern technologies now offer personalized diets based on DNA. They consider genetic predispositions to prevent disease through nutrition.
Remember: your veterinarian is your best ally in creating the perfect feeding plan.
He knows the needs specific to your partner and can avoid common mistakes in the diet.
Conclusion: How to avoid these mistakes and ensure your pet's health
Take care of health of yours pet starts with conscious choices in diet.
Follow the nutritional needs specific prevents problems and prolongs the life of your companion.
Start with these practical actions:
• Make gradual food transitions, mixing in 25% of the new food each week
• Schedule biannual check-ups with a veterinarian specialized
• Use apps to calculate ideal portions based on weight and physical activity
Watch for warning signs like sudden weight loss, dull coat, or changes in appetite. These may indicate imbalances that require immediate attention.
THE WSAVA recommends regular assessments to adjust nutrition according to age and health conditions. Each stage of life brings new demands that must be closely monitored.
Want to ensure the best for your pet?
today a personalized nutritional consultation.
Your companion deserves care that transforms every meal into health!