Whether you have a cat or dog, these pets require a high protein diet, which is why premium quality pet foods usually contain a high proportion of animal proteins. A good indication of this is when 'real meat' is listed as the first ingredient on the label.
By choosing pet food that is premium quality, it means more is used by your pet and less goes to waste since they tend to be more energy dense and more digestible. Find a complete and balanced food they like and stick with it. Feeding cats and dogs "human food" and scraps can intensify their desire for a variety of foods, creating a fussy eater. They will hold out to see what goodies you will offer next, and not necessarily what is good for them.
Basic Puppy and Kitten Feeding Tips
The first year is critical to your new pet’s development. During this time, your puppy or kitten needs special nutrition to promote strong bones and teeth, proper development of body systems, and a healthy coat. Choosing the best food for your puppy or kitten is an important part of ensuring they will be a healthy and happy member of your family for years to come.
Feeding time should be a happy, healthy experience for your puppy or kitten. Here are some tips to help keep it that way, day after day:
- Establish a routine so that your puppy or kitten is fed at the same time each day. For a proper feeding schedule, follow the feeding instructions on the puppy or kitten food package and always measure.
- Don’t keep opened canned food for longer than 24 hours or leave uneaten wet food in your pet’s bowl for longer than 20 minutes. Throw away the leftovers and wash the bowl thoroughly.
- Only feed your puppy or kitten food that’s especially formulated for puppies or kittens. Keep in mind that while your pet will grow to look like a full-grown dog or cat on the outside, your pet will need the extra nutrition puppy or kitten food provides until he or she is one year old (or up to 2 years for giant breed puppies).
- Don’t feed dog food to your cat or cat food to your dog. Every Purina product is specially formulated for a dog’s or cat’s unique nutritional needs.
- Also, resist the temptation to feed your puppy or kitten table scraps. Give in, and your new pet might become a finicky eater who never wants to return to his or her regular food. Table scraps also tend to be high in calories and may cause unwanted weight gain.
- If you use your new pet’s name while feeding, it can help them learn their name while associating you with a pleasant activity.
- Some pets eat their food too quickly which can cause them to vomit. Cat food can be given on a flat tray or plate to slow down fast-eating cats. Dog biscuits can be scattered on the floor or there are special slow-eating bowls that can be bought from most pet stores.
Puppy Food
At certain times during this period of growth and development, your puppy will need considerably more nutrition than adult dogs. For example, at six to eight weeks of age, he or she requires almost three times the adult caloric requirement per pound of body weight.
All Purina dog dry food ranges have puppy food options. Here are a couple to consider:
- Purina ONE Healthy Puppy formula has real chicken as the #1 ingredient plus DHA, a nutrient also found in mother’s milk, for vision and brain development.
- TUX Puppy mini biscuit is a delicious easy-to-eat meal straight from the Kiwi heartland that your puppy will love, specially formulated for the specific nutritional needs of growing puppies.
Kitten Food
It’s important to feed your new kitten a food optimised for her life stage. Nurture your kitten with lots of love as well as kitten food that’s rich in flavour, protein, and other nutrients kittens need.
Purina ONE Healthy Kitten formula has real chicken as the #1 ingredient – and 0% fillers. Healthy Kitten Formula is made with DHA, a nutrient found in mothers’ milk, for vision and brain development.
Information courtesy of Purina
Caring for your pet in summer
Summer can be tough on animals - you need to pay extra attention to keep them cool, hydrated and nourished. We’ve put together some great hints for pet care that will make spending time outdoors a breeze for you and your fur baby.
Water
- Provide your cat with a constant supply of clean fresh water. Cats have trouble seeing still water, so water fountains with a moving flow of water are a great idea as they can see the ripples.
- Water is an essential nutrient for your dog. A 10% loss of your dog’s body water can cause serious illness. Always provide fresh cool water and be aware that your dog may drink more during summer.
Holiday care
With good planning and care, summer can be a great time to spend with your pets.
- If your pet is travelling with you this summer, always ensure you take plenty of fresh water and never leave them unattended in a hot car.
- Pets feel more secure when they have familiar items with them so take their favourite toy, blanket or pet bed with you.
- A suitable cage or crate is recommended to keep your pet safe travelling long distances.
- If your pet is going into a kennel or cattery, they will need to have all their vaccinations up to date, including flea and worming treatments.
- Not all campgrounds, restaurants, outdoor events and accommodation allows pets, so find out which places are pet-friendly before you depart.
- Ensure your pet is in a secure carry cage stowed safely in the car away from petrol fumes. Cover the cage to help settle your pet and keep the sun off them. Do not leave your pet unattended in the car!
Flea and worming treatment
- Summer is the key time to ensure your pet’s flea and worm treatments are up to date. It is likely that your pet will spend more time outside during the warmer months, which increases their chance of picking up fleas outside.
- Use a quality flea treatment that works quickly to kill fleas and continue to kill fleas for up to a month. A good treatment will also kill flea larvae in the home which helps reduce the risk of re-infestation.
- Worming tablets, available for both cats and dogs, are a simple and effective way to treat worms.
- Remember, prevention is the best solution so always keep your pet’s treatment up to date.
The information provided on this website is not intended as a substitute for professional medical or diet advice. Always seek the advice of your qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding health and well-being.