Pet food plan suggestions

As a cat mum myself, I can hardly keep the treat bag away each time my 2 kitties stare at me with their big, round eyes. I give in just about each time, knowing full well that their constant snacking on treats is making them chonky.

Cute as that could be, I do know that may cause more harm than good in the long term. But are treats really all that bad? To know this higher, I spoke to Dr Luciana Domingues de Oliveria, a pet nutritionist who gave the lowdown on feeding your fur babies at every stage of their lives. Listed here are 8 pet food plan suggestions you need to know:

– 0-6 months: Puppy & kitten stage –

1. Newborns could be fed formula if mama’s milk isn’t available

Image credit: Fidosavvy

Getting a newborn puppy or kitten is sort of rare, although such occasions do come up in certain circumstances, like in unlucky cases where a mother has to desert her babies. In case you’ve taken up responsibility to be a caretaker, your first instincts could be to feed them cow’s milk.

But that’s a giant no-no that Saturday morning cartoons have gotten mistaken. “Cow’s milk accommodates little or no protein and fat, and numerous lactose, which can cause malnutrition and diarrhoea in puppies and kittens,” Dr Domingues de Oliveria said.

As an alternative, she advised using business formulas available from specialty pet stores or vets which were developed for such purposes.

“An excellent indicator of your puppies and kittens being adequately nourished is in the event that they don’t have gastrointestinal upset and are gaining weight day by day in accordance with size and breed standards,” she said. By this definition, she advisable to keep away from homemade formulas too, as these are frequently unbalanced in nutrients too.

2. Introduce solids slowly from 4 weeks onwards

Image credit: ASPCA

In case you’ve been bottle-feeding your pet, it’d feel like a frightening task of transitioning them to solids, especially in case you’ve heard horror stories of weaning resulting in upset stomachs and digestive problems. But, introducing solids is way easier whenever you take it slow, in accordance with the recommendation of Dr Domingues de Oliveria.

She recommends that pets begin to transition from about 4 weeks onwards. “You’ll also know after they’re ready after they start showing signs of searching for food on top of their mother’s milk.”

You’ll be able to start with softer foods first, like ground meat or mixing formula with slightly little bit of wet food to get them accustomed to munching on solids.

Over the following few weeks, slowly decrease the quantity of formula and add on more minced, fresh meats. You can too mix kibble and formula or water to melt its texture, so it’s easier to chew on. Each cats and dogs can have a very solid food food plan from 6 weeks onwards.

Image credit: @fan.tasia052022

This rapid growth phase lasts until the dog or cat is about 4-6 months old. “Your fur kid may have greater demands for energy, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals at this age,” said Dr Domingues de Oliveria. This implies picking kitten or puppy-specific foods to make sure a more nutritionally appropriate food plan. That way, they’ll gain an appropriate amount of weight at this stage.

– 6-18 months: Adolescence –

3. Ensure treats don’t make up greater than 10% of your pet’s food plan

Image credit: @winnie_toycockapoo

As furbabies mature into fur-teens, they begin to get more playful, running across the house and even tearing it up in the method. Such unwanted behaviour may cause significant damage to furniture in the long term, so most turn to pet training to forestall such issues

Any furparent will know that certainly one of the best ways to motivate your pet to learn a recent trick is thru positive reinforcement with treats. Fluffy used the scratching pole as a substitute of sharpening her claws on the couch? Here’s a treat. Max learnt to roll over? That deserves a treat too.

But similar to how we must always snack sparsely, pets too, shouldn’t be chomping on treats all day long. Dr Domingues de Oliveria warns that “treats are an incomplete food”, so be careful when giving treats to younger pups and kittens.

“They’re more sensitive to nutrient imbalances and energy excesses, even with natural treats like dehydrated meats, offals, vegetables, and fruits,” she said. Follow the 10% treats rule, meaning 90% of your pet’s most important nutrition intake should still come from their most important meals.

4. Extra veggies in pet diets isn’t all the time thing

Image credit: @pudding_dude

After putting on a few kilos, we’re quick to go on a greener food plan, filling up on healthier foods like salads and additional portions of fruits as a substitute of junk. Now, this will likely work for us, but not so to your pet.

Pets which have snuck in extra servings without your knowledge shouldn’t be placed on a green food plan, so says Dr Domingues de Oliveria. “It’s a common mistake to substitute primary macronutrients like animal fat or protein with more vegetables,” she said.

While it’d reduce overall calorie consumption, Dr Domingues de Oliveria noted that you simply’ll even be drastically cutting out essential nutrients needed for healthy organ function and vitality that only animal proteins and fats can provide.

In case your pooch is in need of losing a few pounds, she recommends cutting back meals slightly at a time as a substitute. “Go slow so that you simply’ll prevent issues like acid reflux disease, changes in energy levels, upset within the gastrointestinal tract, and even hormonal disruptions,” said Dr Domingues de Oliveria.

– 18 months-8 years: Maturity –

5. What could possibly be a food allergy might just be intolerance as a substitute

Image credit: @iris.the.greyhound

Picture this: You are trying feeding recent food to your fur kid, only to have him start scratching like crazy. Allergies could be your first thought, but Dr Domingues de Oliveria says it could just be an intolerance as a substitute. Unlike allergies, intolerances don’t include opposed reactions to the immune system.

“There are a wide selection of allergy symptoms that overlap with intolerance issues,” she said. Gastrointestinal issues like vomiting, diarrhoea, and indigestion could swing each ways to point intolerance and allergies. 

Your best bet is to have these symptoms evaluated by a pet nutritionist or vet in order that an accurate diagnosis is made and treatment can begin, advised Dr Domingues de Oliveria. Once this is completed, she then recommends that pet owners turn to nutrition firms like BOM BOM that may formulate pet meals to deal with such issues.

“BOM BOM takes under consideration allergies and intolerances, and addresses pre-existing and external ailments of their personalised meals for every individual pet,” she said. This implies proper nutrition without upsetting stomachs or triggering reactions like skin hot spots and inflammations.

6. Pet supplements usually are not all the time crucial

Image credit: Great Pet Care

Since our pets are only with us for a temporary period of our lives, it’s only natural to wish to amp up their nutrition to try to lengthen their lives. But feeding them supplements doesn’t necessarily mean added advantages.

“So long as your pet receives a whole and balanced food plan, no extra supplementation is crucial,” said Dr Domingues de Oliveria. You’ll want to examine with a pet nutritionist or your vet on the required day by day intake of nutrients to your pets, as this differs from breed to breed.

It’s a suggestion that Dr Domingues de Oliveria strongly backs. “Essential nutrients form every thing from cells to organs, hormones, blood, skin, and even hair,” she said. “When your furry family members devour the appropriate amount, they’ll give you the option to operate in the very best possible way.”

There’s an exception to this rule though, as she shared: “Diseases or other medical conditions may require vitamin and mineral add-ons.” Again, checking in with a pet nutritionist is crucial to make sure you’re not under- or over-feeding your pet with vitamins and minerals.

– 8 years & beyond: Senior –

7. Add water to dry kibble to make sure proper hydration

Image credit: @catevolution1

Once a cat or dog reaches 8 years of age, they’re classified as seniors. While they won’t get a purple EZ-Link card a la their human owners, you’ll know they’ve reached their golden years after they begin to lose cognitive and physical functions. 

A typical issue amongst senior pets is drinking far less water than they require. For some, developing conditions like arthritis might make it difficult for them to walk to their water point. Others may even experience similar conditions to Alzheimer’s and dementia that make them forget to drink often.

To maintain your oldies hydrated, add water to their dry kibble, in order that they’re getting hydrated even at meal times. This can be useful for senior pets who’ve lost their teeth, and might find it difficult to crunch on hard kibble.

In accordance with Dr Domingues de Oliveria, “switching to a food plan containing foods with a softer texture and people with the next moisture content, resembling fresh food, makes it easier for older pets to chew and get of their required nutrition.”

8. Adjust nutrient intake based on specialist recommendations

Image credit: @millythemeow

While pet supplements are unnecessary, you’ll still wish to often check that your pets receive adequate nutrition as they age. This might mean reducing and even increasing doses of minerals and antioxidants wherever possible.

Dr Domingues de Oliveria suggested cutting down phosphorus levels to favour kidney functions, in addition to lowering overall calories and fat to take care of a healthy weight to your pets to match decreasing activity levels with age.

In return, feeding top quality, unprocessed animal-based foods can contribute to healthy ageing. One may consider adding on nutrient dense foods, resembling eggs, organ meats, and oily fish to extend intake of important nutrients like essential vitamins, fatty acids and trace minerals.

After all, an adjusted food plan is simply the tip of the iceberg for prolonging a pet’s life. “Longevity can be affected by other manageable aspects,” added Dr Domingues de Oliveria. “Regular exercise, a snug environment, and affection and love from the family are also essential for pets to live longer and higher.”

Feed your pets right with BOM BOM

Pointless to say, diets are a fickle thing relating to raising your pet from pup or kitten to old timer. There are many precautions to take to forestall overfeeding, while still ensuring they get the appropriate nutrients for an optimal life.

It appears like a heavy job that involves weighing out portions of kibble and wet food. But intensive meal preps just means time away out of your pet that would’ve been spent on bonding as a substitute.

Image credit: @threeshibes

Enter BOM BOM, which does all that meal prep for you with their individualised meal kits. Since every cat and dog is different, the meals are tailored to their specific needs based on a fast Q&A of your pet’s metabolic profile. This includes their breed, age, weight, activity level, allergies, and health conditions.

If the small print in your pet are fuzzy aka they were adopted from a shelter or off the streets, you possibly can even get complimentary support by their pet nutritionists on what would work best to your fur baby.

Image adapted from @bonesoffalmeat

Details are then translated into individual meals made up of bones, offal, and meat to supply adequate nutrition while hitting markers like vitamins, minerals and antioxidant intakes. That is all in adherence to the advisable day by day allowance standards set out by the National Research Council (NRC).

BOM BOM offers each raw and cooked food. And for individuals who prefer a gradual transition towards raw feeding, the meals are also available in sous vide style. This helps to retain as much moisture and nutrients as possible that would otherwise be lost from other cooking methods.

Intolerances and allergies are also taken under consideration to your pet’s meals. With 10 protein selections available, this implies Fluffy and Rex will give you the option to seek out an appropriate alternative should business foods set off allergic reactions or intolerances.

Image credit: @bonesoffalmeat

As if meal prep couldn’t get any easier, these vacuum-sealed meals are delivered straight to your own home in single bags for simple freezing and storing. Come breakfast, lunch, and dinner, just thaw one to serve.

To get you began, BOM BOM is hosting a giveaway on the BOM BOM Instagram page. Pet owners will get a $100 BOM BOM Gift Card and a US$50 (~S$68.95) Lambwolf Gift Card. Simply follow the instructions to be within the running in providing nutritious and scientifically-balanced meals to your fur baby.

Discover more about BOM BOM here

This post was delivered to you by BOM BOM.
Cover image adapted from @fan.tasia052022, @thevanillapup, @pudding_dude