Owners must feed their pets appropriate food according to their age stage (puppy/cat, adult dog/cat, senior dog/cat). Newly weaned puppies/cats should be fed puppy/cat food. Between 9 and 12 months of age, they should gradually be switched to adult dog/cat food. Cats and dogs aged 7-10 years should eat food designed for senior dogs/cats. Some pets may require a veterinarian's prescription dog food due to special needs.
Traditional pet food
Quality pet food must be comprehensive and balanced, containing all the necessary vitamins and minerals.
Pet food needs to be formulated for different growth stages (puppies/cats, adult dogs/cats, senior dogs/cats) and sizes (small, standard, large, and giant).
The nutritional value of dry food is similar to that of wet food, but it is generally more economical, convenient, and hygienic, and it also encourages animals to chew more.
We recommend using dry food as your pet's primary diet.
The quality of food is very important; the quality of cheap supermarket pet food can be significantly different from that of more expensive pet food.
As long as the food is of good quality, owners do not need to supplement their pets with extra calcium.
Dog food should not be fed to cats because cats have specific amino acid and dietary nutritional needs.
Good pet food must be comprehensive and balanced. When buying pet food, owners can look for a nutrition label approved by the American Feed Control Association (AAFCO) on the side of the bag. The AAFCO will state on the highest quality pet food: "Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that the dog or cat food provides complete and balanced nutrition for the appropriate life stage ." This means that the chosen pet food is verified, healthy, and nutritionally balanced.
When choosing pet food, pay attention to whether the protein content is too high and whether the pet food is labeled as being designed for all ages. In fact, there is no single pet food suitable for pets of all ages.
Homemade pet food
Homemade food can be a great option as long as the diet is nutritionally balanced or follows a specific meal plan.
Homemade pet food menus are usually more difficult and more expensive than traditional pet food.
However, some veterinarians and pet owners believe that well-designed homemade pet diets can provide more antioxidants and allow pets to enjoy a more natural lifestyle.
Make sure your homemade diet includes all the necessary minerals and vitamins in the correct portions and proportions. This is very important because a poor diet can lead to a weakened immune system, lower energy levels, and overall health problems.
Note that even with vitamin supplements, pure meat or meat with rice is not a complete or balanced diet.
If you choose to make homemade pet food, ensure a balanced and comprehensive diet that provides them with the vitamins and nutrients they need. Here are two very helpful websites: BalanceIT and PetDiets . They can provide customized pet food plans based on your pet's age, breed, specific needs, and available carbohydrates and proteins. Each plan costs approximately US $20 (about HK$ 155 ), but this worthwhile investment will be an important part of your pet's healthy future. If you choose to make homemade pet food, we recommend consulting a veterinarian to ensure it is suitable for your pet's needs.
We would suggest that owners feed their pets traditional pet food while adding some homemade food, so there is no need to follow a strict diet.
Snacks
Owners can occasionally reward their pets with treats such as dental chews, raw bones, or whole raw chicken wings. Never give pets cooked bones, as cooked bones are prone to splintering, and the fragments could injure the pet or even get stuck in their throat or stomach.
Foods to avoid
Cats and dogs should not eat chocolate, coffee, tea, onions, large amounts of garlic, raisins, or foods that may clog their digestive tract, such as mango pits or corn cobs. Just like humans, they should be fed in moderation to avoid obesity. Furthermore, pets should not be given human medications or supplements.
If you have any questions about your pet's diet, please email us and we'd be happy to assist you.
