Unless your pet has a specific medical condition, and requires a
particular diet to manage that condition, there are some simple guidelines
to help you pick the food that is best for your pet. First, don't buy the
cheapest stuff you can find, and don't buy the most expensive either.
Neither one is worth it. Then find something that your pet enjoys eating,
that doesn't cause an upset stomach and over time gives your pet a full,
shiny coat. Be aware that any change in diet should be done gradually,
mixing the old with the new until gradually the new food is all that is being
offered. Even under the best circumstances a diet change can lead to
soft stools for a few days.
As far as how much to feed, the amount varies widely for pets of the
same size based on activity, age, metabolism and calories per cup of
food. Again, a few basic guidelines should be followed. Essentially, feed
your pets the amount that is necessary to keep them at a healthy weight.
There is no simple formula that works for everyone. Pick a starting point,
and then weigh your pet every two weeks. There is no charge for our
clients to stop in and use our scales, and no appointment is necessary.
We can record your pet's weight in their chart, and even print a graph of
their weight change over time. Make adjustments in the amount of food
offered based on those weights. If your pet is not gaining or losing
weight at the desired rate, schedule an appointment with our one of our
vets to discuss a diet program and/or possible underlying conditions.
Think your dog has a food allergy? Click here.
Think your pet may be over/underweight? Click here.
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Two of the most commonly asked
questions we get are "What food
should I feed my pet?" and "How
much should he/she be eating?"
questions we get are "What food
should I feed my pet?" and "How
much should he/she be eating?"