Six simple steps to a healthier pet

(NC) – Like humans, dogs and cats have special dietary needs that change with age and overall health. After all, how many 50 year-olds can eat the same diet they did when they were 15? The same holds true for our pets.

“The right balance of nutrients is key to keeping pets at different ages healthy,” says Hill’s Pet Nutrition expert Senani Ratnayake. “Excessive or deficient levels of nutrients like protein, phosphorus and sodium can lead to issues such as kidney problems, poor growth, or bone and hair loss.”

By following these six steps you can help give your cat or dog nutritional balance for good health.

Step One – Hold back on treating your pet to table scraps. It could contribute to a weight problem. Consider that to a 10-lb cat, a 1-oz piece of cheddar cheese is like eating 3½ hamburgers for a 150 lb woman.

Step Two – Be wary of pet foods intended for all life stages. Every life stage, whether it’s puppy/kitten, adult or senior, requires a special balance of nutrients to avoid a deficiency or excess that can lead to long-term health issues.

Step Three – Consider the cost per day of food vs. the price on bag. Pet foods like Hill’s Science Diet brand are nutrient and calorie dense, which means each kibble is worth a lot. Because of this you can feed your pet less per day and the bag lasts longer, working out to as little as 39 cents for a (10 lb) cat and 60 cents for a (40 lb) dog per day.

Step Four – If your pet is overweight, don’t just cut back on the amount of food. Your pet still has nutritional needs, so look for a specially formulated light pet food.

Step Five – When switching pet foods, transition your pet gradually from one to the other. This will help prevent digestive problems. A pet food should provide guidelines on the package.

Step Six – Read food labels carefully. Beyond making sure the food is right for your pet’s life stage, make sure it has been animal feed tested versus formulated. Animal feed tested means it has been tried, tested and approved by other pets first.

Support Our Sponsors