When you have a pet, they own a piece your heart. You want them to live a healthy and happy life, and do everything you can to make this happen.
Since no two pets are alike, it is very important to know each pet’s unique nutritional needs.
Do you own a dog or a cat or both? Though there are some similarities between their nutritional needs, there are also vast differences. For example, both the species are carnivores, however dogs are functional carnivores while cats are obligatecarnivores.
What does this mean? This means that cats being obligate carnivores depend on the nutrients found only in their prey for their survival, their body’s’ are best suited to animal-based proteins and fats, an unsupplemented vegetarian diet can cause harmful or dangerous nutrient deficiencies. On the other hand, dogs being functional carnivores are more adaptable to a wide range of ingredients, though they prefer animal-based protein they can thrive on a vegetarian diet if necessary.
Understanding Your Pet’s Metabolism Type
Under normal circumstances dogs burn calories slowly, this means that they are able to go longer without food. Cats’ however burn calories continuously throughout the day so the intervals between meals should not be longer than 12 hours.
Vital Nutients for Your Pet
Dogs require amino acids from protein, fatty acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and water to remain healthy. Protein provides them with 10 specific essential amino acids that their bodies are unable to synthesize (make on their own). A dog requires vitamins in low concentrations and is able to synthesize some on their own such as Vitamin A and Niacin.
Cats also require amino acids from protein, fatty acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and water, however, animal-based protein is easier for them to digest than plant-based protein. Two of the Essential Amino Acids that cats require must either come from animal protein, or be supplemented into their diet, a deficiency of Arginine can cause a toxic buildup of ammonia in the bloodstream, and a deficiency of Taurine can lead to blindness, deafness, heart failure, inadequate immune response and congenital defects. A cats requirements for vitamins is different from a dogs, cats cannot synthesize some vitamins such as Vitamin A and Niacin so their food must supply it for them.
Proper Pet Hydration
Since cats evolved in a desert-like environment, they get most of their water from their prey. This is why it is recommended that cats be fed wet food rather than dry food. If a cat’s system is not properly hydrated, they will be at a higher risk for developing urinary crystals, leading to Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD).
Just like humans, around 80% of a dog’s body is made up of water. Canned or raw food is a great choice for a dog that does not drink a lot of water since dry food does not offer moisture to the dog. For old or sick dogs, or dogs living in a hot or dry climate, it is especially important to keep their systems hydrated.
Pet’s Nutritional Needs at Different Life Stages
Dogs
Small puppy breeds (1-10lbs) from weaning to 10 months or 1 year of age need:
- High Protein and Fat
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
- Medium puppy breeds (1-60lbs) from weaning to 1 year of age need:
- Protein and fat (higher than adults, lower than small breeds)
- DHA
- Large puppy breeds (60lbs+) from weaning to up to 1.5 years of age need:
- Fat, Calcium and Phosphorus (less than small breed puppies)
- DHA
- Small dog breeds (1-10lbs) from 10 months or 1 year to 8 years of age need:
- Protein and fat (higher than other adult dogs)
- Higher omega-3 and -6 levels
- Antioxidants and probiotics
- Medium dog breeds (1-60lbs) from 1 to 7 years need:
- Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids
- Probiotics and antioxidants
- Large dog breeds (60lbs+) from 1 to 6 years of age require:
- Fat (Low levels)
- Glucosamine and chondroitin (High Levels)
- Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids
- Probiotics
Cats
Kittens from weaning to 1 year of age need:
- Protein and fat (Higher levels)
- DHA
- Adult cats from 1 to 8 years of age need:
- Protein and fat (Less than kittens)
- Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids
- Indoor cats from 1 to 8 years of age need:
- Protein and fat (Low levels)
- Fiber and L-Carnitine (High levels)
- Omega fatty acids (High levels)
- Cats with hairball issues from 1 year of age and over require:
- High fiber
- Increased omega fatty acids
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