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When deciding on food for your cat or dog, it is important to consider many factors.

NUTRITIONAL NEEDS

Dogs and cats have different nutritional requirements, so it is important that you do not feed dog food to cats, and cat food to dogs.

Cats are carnivores, meaning that they need meat only in their diet. Vegetables are sometimes added to their feeds, but this is unnecessary and is more for the benefit of the owner than the cat.

Dogs are omnivores, which means that they eat meat and vegetables. Some owners want their dogs to be vegetarians. Although possible, this is neither natural nor healthy for the dog.

Vitamins and minerals are digested differently in dogs than they are in cats. For example, cats require taurine added into their diet, whereas dogs do not. Taurine is an amino acid, vital for maintaining a healthy heart. Dogs can create their own, but cats need to extract the taurine from meat.

AGE

Puppies and kittens need different amounts of fats, proteins and vitamins as they grow into adult dogs and cats, just as elder animals also require a different amount to the younger generation. Foods are available for their age range, and should be kept to. If you feed a puppy or kitten food to an older animal the excess fat in the food will cause your beloved pet to gain weight.

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Different medical conditions require different levels of nutrition. There are now special diets that have been created. Most of these are available on prescription only. Hills and Royal Canin are the two foods highly recommended by vets.

WET OR DRY?

It is healthier for the pets to eat dry foods as they help keep their teeth clean. If your pet is suffering with cystitis or another urinary infection, it might be recommended by your vet to offer both wet and dry food as the wet meat will ensure that they are getting enough water in their diet. Although you must be careful as certain foods have be known to cause cystitis. It is always important to check with your veterinary surgeon.

TREATS

The occasional treat is not bad for your pet, but can lead to weight gain if given too often. Make sure that you only feed treats that have been made for your pet though. Chocolate is extremely dangerous and can kill dogs as it is toxic to their liver. Bones can cause constipation as they splinter and can become lodged in the bowels. They are however good for keeping their teeth clean. Always make sure that you never leave a pet alone with a bone, and only ever give them raw bones as when they are cooked, bones become brittle.

It is a myth that cats are supposed to be given cows milk, as it is very common for cats to be lactose intolerant. There are special cat's milks available that you can give them.

Learn more about this author, Charlotte Howard.
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