Cat and Dog Feeding Guide: Scientific Care, Warm Companionship

As responsible family members, how can we ensure the proper and precise feeding of cats and dogs to promote their healthier and happier development

 

1.Thoughts before feeding

Firstly, we need to clarify that pet ownership is not a short-term behavior, and we need to consider whether our own condition is suitable. Understand the basic daily necessities and commonalities required for raising cats and dogs, such as food selection, regular cleaning, deworming, etc.

The basic daily necessities required for raising cats and dogs are different. The basic daily necessities of a cat include cat food, cat snacks, cat litter, cat litter box, cat shovel, cat comb, cat toiletries, cat toys, cat litter, cat cans, cat rice bowls, cat water dispensers, etc. And all the daily necessities of a dog include dog food, snacks, canned dogs, leashes, dog toiletries, toys, dog beds, dog cages, urine pads, diapers, dog bowls, combs, grinding teeth sticks, etc.

However, owning a cat and a dog also have some similarities. Firstly, regular injections and deworming are very important. If a pet is purchased or adopted from a legitimate institution, the original owner usually gives the pet regular injections and deworming. But if you find a stray cat or dog, be sure to take them to a pet hospital for a comprehensive health check-up, insect repellent, and vaccination before bringing them home. Secondly, regular cleaning and sterilization are also crucial. Like humans, pets can also have microorganisms such as mites and bacteria that may cause pet diseases in their sleeping areas, so it is important to remember to regularly bathe and wash their beds. For some pets with strong possessiveness, their frequently used toys and nests can be exposed to sunlight for sterilization and disinfection purposes.

2、 Feeding points

（1） Choose the appropriate brand

When choosing cat and dog food, try to choose high-quality products as much as possible to ensure better quality. During the selection process, you can carefully check the ingredient list. High quality cat food and dog food should contain rich protein, moderate fat, carbohydrates and other nutrients. At the same time, the color and taste of the food can be observed. Normal cat food and dog food should have a natural color and not be too pungent in taste.

When starting to feed new food to pets, it is important to closely monitor their condition. If pets experience abnormal conditions such as loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, etc., they should immediately stop feeding new food and consult a veterinarian for advice.

To avoid adverse effects on pets' digestive system caused by frequent food changes, it is not recommended to change brands and types too frequently. But in order to provide pets with richer nutrition, homemade food can be arranged once a week, such as making a delicious meal for pets with chicken, fish, vegetables and other ingredients.

（2） Avoid mixing food

There are significant differences in the composition between cat food and dog food. If dogs eat cat food, it can bring a series of side effects. For example, cat food usually contains higher levels of protein and fat, and long-term consumption by dogs may cause stomach discomfort. Even dogs with "iron intestines" may experience problems with long-term intake of cat food. Meanwhile, a large amount of protein can cause damage to the liver and kidneys of dogs, disrupting their circulatory system. The fiber content in cat food is relatively low, which is not conducive to the intestinal peristalsis of dogs and can lead to a decrease in their digestive ability. At the same time, excessive intake of animal protein can lead to excessive intake of sulfur-containing amino acids, accelerating the loss of calcium in bones and easily causing osteoporosis.

（3） Diversified feeding

In order to prevent pets from being picky eaters and help their digestive system adapt to different foods, a freeze-drying+staple food can feeding method can be used. After finishing a freeze-dried or staple food can, you can switch to another flavor, which allows pets to try different flavors and nutrients. For pets, there is almost no food they don't eat, they just eat what they like quickly and what they don't like slowly.

3、 Cleaning and deworming

（1） Cleaning methods

When bathing pets, be sure to use specialized shampoo. It is best to choose products with antifungal and deodorizing functions to maintain the health and cleanliness of pets' skin.

Clean up pet feces in a timely manner every day, which not only keeps the living environment clean but also reduces bacterial growth. It is best to clean a pet's nest once a week. You can first remove the mats and other items from the nest and spray them with harmless disinfectant for disinfection.

（2） Importance of deworming

Insect repellent for cats and dogs is a must do. Dogs can start their first deworming outside the body at around 6 weeks of age, after successfully weaning, while deworming inside the body is usually done at around 8 weeks of age. Puppies usually undergo deworming once every one to two months, while adult dogs undergo deworming once every three to five months. Regardless of whether it is a puppy or an adult dog, external deworming is usually done once a month.

Cats can only be dewormed two months after birth. As the kitten gradually leaves breastfeeding, the antibodies from the mother's body begin to slowly decrease. This is the best time for kittens to do deworming. Kittens can undergo their first external deworming in about one and a half months or two months, and then undergo external deworming once a month thereafter. Generally, six week old kittens can undergo their first internal deworming, which lasts for about three months.

If you want to deworming your pet at home, you can choose domestic brand deworming drugs. It can effectively prevent and control parasites on pets, but the situation and medication methods of pets are different, and the selected drugs also vary. When choosing pet deworming drugs, owners need to choose according to their pet's specific situation and medication purpose, and follow the doctor's advice for medication.