Pet food: How much is enough?
PET BULLETIN
‘Mews and Yips’ from the Central Aroostook Humane Society
Have you ever scooped food into your pet’s dish and wondered if you are feeding him too much, or not enough? Many times, I’ve fed my three dogs and wondered that very thing.
I see my very snuggly Corgi mix and wonder if he should really be eating the same amount of food as my ninety pound shepherd mix who is more active during the day. They both would eat an entire bag in one sitting if I would allow them to!
The best thing to do is consult with your veterinarian to find out the best food for your pet, as well as how much of that food is best, but there are some basic guidelines that the ASPCA says that pet owners can follow.
Some pets can be allowed free choice feeding, in which food is left out and the pet is allowed to eat when he or she sees fit. Pets fed by this method are also allowed to eat as much as they choose because portions are not measured, which sometimes can lead to obesity if not carefully monitored. Free choice feeding should only be done with dry pet foods, because they are unlikely to spoil as wet foods might.
Another choice for feeding your pets is the timed feeding method. Using this method involves allowing your pet to eat for a predetermined amount of time, and then removing the food. Using this method may be a good way to help you monitor your pet’s food intake, while not leaving food left out for long periods of time.
Generally it is recommended that pets be fed twice a day. You can start by taking the recommended amount listed on your pet food label and splitting it into two meals that are spaced eight to 12 hours apart. This method is known as portion control feeding and is helpful in weight control of animals that may overeat if allowed to eat at their own discretion.
It is a common misunderstanding that cats should have milk periodically as a treat. Cats actually do not have the correct amount of the enzyme known as lactase, which breaks down the lactulose in milk. Treating your cats to a milk treat can actually upset their stomachs, causing vomiting and/or diarrhea.
Dogs love getting treats, almost as much as we love to give them treats. We treat them for good behavior, for successful completion of commands given, and sometimes just because those “puppy dog eyes” are looking at you in that way that just melts your heart. Be careful not to over-treat your pooch though. Treats should only be 5 percent or less of your dog’s daily food intake. The other 95 percent should always come from a nutritionally complete dog food. If you are training your dog with new commands and therefore frequently giving treats, try to break them up into small pieces to keep from overfeeding.
