When feeding your beloved pet, whether it be a new puppy or kitten, or an older cat or dog, there is such a thing as ‘loving them too much’. Overindulging your pet can lead to health problems if they become overweight, so knowing how much, how often, and what to feed them is important.
Also, spayed or neutered pets are more likely to feel hungry more often and gain weight more easily. This quite commonly leads to overfeeding.
Pet food bags have feeding guides on the back which help you with the "how much?". This healthy amount of food can be tailored to suit your pet and could be split up into many feeds throughout the day, depending on their needs.
Below is some advice on how to feed your pets:
Puppies
Puppies grow very rapidly and require the right amount of food for their weight. Feeding them a high quality puppy food from the start is key to supporting their healthy growth.
A small breed puppy, such as a Fox Terrier or a Maltese, should be fed small breed puppy food, while a large breed dog, such as a German Shepherd or Huntaway, needs a large breed puppy food.
How often should you feed a puppy?
Age | Frequency |
8-16 weeks | 3-4 times a day |
16 weeks + | Slowly reduce to 2-3 times a day |
Adult dogs
There are many different foods available for adult dogs, covering a variety of needs. For instance, a dog that is more susceptible to pancreatitis may need a low fat food that is easier to digest, while a working dog can benefit from the higher calories found in working dog food.
It is a good idea to regularly weigh your dogs to ensure you feed them the appropriate amount. You can always bring them into a clinic for a quick hop on the scales.
How often should you feed an adult dog?
Dog type | Frequency | Time of day |
Pet dog | 1-2 times a day | Morning and/or evening |
Working dog | Once a day | Usually in the evening when they've finished work to avoid bloat |
Kittens
High quality kitten food is important to support the growth of your new kitten. There are a wide range of foods that are tailored to each individual taste. It is possible to buy breed-specific food, although an all-breed food works just as well for cats.
Both biscuits and wet foods will have feeding guides based on weight. Be careful not to double up your kitten’s daily intake if providing dry and wet food.
How often should you feed a kitten?
Age | Frequency |
8-16 weeks | 4 times a day |
16 weeks + | Slowly reduce to 3 times a day and then twice a day |
Adult cats
Feeding an adult cat is similar to feeding a kitten, however, the amount you feed them will be increased. A variety of biscuits and wet foods are available for cats, including options for overweight cats (metabolic food) and those with specific health issues, such as urinary food for cats with urinary crystals.
Cats enjoy accessing their food at their own pace, making ad lib feeding of biscuits an effective method for some cats, although others will not moderate their feeding and can be prone to obesity. Providing a measured amount in the morning and evening will help these cats understand that once they finish their biscuits, they won't receive more for the day.
Sometimes, feeding a little bit less or encouraging them to play with toys to get their food can be a rewarding way for your cat to stay active and still eat their recommended amounts of food.
Monitoring your cat's weight is crucial for maintaining their overall health. Since weight changes can occur gradually, it may be hard to notice them if you see them daily. This is why annual health check-ups are essential, as they allow the vet to evaluate your cat's body condition and weight changes. Such assessments not only help ensure that their diet is suitable but can also identify potential underlying health issues.
In summary
You have probably heard the saying "You are what you eat", or as Hippocrates (possibly) said "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food". This has not only proved true in humans, but also in our pets.
The microbiome (the millions of bugs in the gut) has been shown to regulate digestion, boost immunity, produce vitamins, influence metabolism, and modulate the brain-gut axis, affecting mood and neurological health. Equally, if it is out of balance (dysbiosis), this has been linked to obesity, diabetes, inflammation, heart disease, and mental health issues.
Good nutrition is therefore vital to your pet's health.
It is so important to ensure animals are fed age, stage and breed-appropriate food, and in the right quantities, to keep them healthy. Speak to our friendly teams in our clinics for more advice on which food is right for your pet, or better yet, book them in for a health check!
This article was originally published by VetSouth. As a trusted partner of West Coast Vets, we're proud to share their expertise with our community.
