Are pet supplements important?

Tinned, dried and packaged dog food is relatively cheap to buy and certainly a big time saver which makes it the common choice for pet owners - and who can blame them? Preparing dog or cat food from scratch is something that few people would have the time or even desire to do. Although there are good quality products on the market, they are often at the more expensive end of the scale. Cheaper tins and biscuits for pets often mean the quality of protein within the product is sacrificed or a large amount of “filler” has been used (such as refined grains). Pet food that is capable of being stored for long periods of time indicates that it has undergone a very high heat treatment during the manufacturing process which often depletes the levels of nutrients and vitamins within.

If you are worried about the quality of the food in your pet’s diet but don’t want to spend more or drastically change your pet’s diet (which could lead to other digestive problems), then a pet supplement could be the answer. Supplements ensure your pet is getting everything it needs for a healthy and balanced diet. Here at Viovet, we can provide advice and information about the different supplements available and how they can benefit your pet.

Supplements have been shown to improve the overall quality of life of animals and positive benefits can be seen almost immediately. Supplements can aid intestinal health and digestion, improve the quality and feel of coats and skin, support healthy bones and joints, prevent disease and boost overall levels of energy. It is important to choose a supplement that is suitable and designed for your pet’s age specifically as well as ideally having a money-back guarantee. Come and talk to us here at VioVet if you would like to know more about supplements for your pet.

Have any of you given your pets a supplement? If so, what were the benefits? Send in your comments below.

What food is best for cats?

Cats differ from one to the next when it comes to the best food for them. There are a number of different factors that will affect the type of food you give them. The age of a cat is a factor as nutritional needs change during their life depending on their age. Kittens need a different diet to old cats for example. The condition of your cat is another factor to take into consideration. Overweight cats need a special diet, as do underweight cats and there is no one size fits all solution. The health history of a cat is also important as existing conditions like diabetes or other illnesses mean a very particular diet may be required. Your vet can advise you on what food would be suitable if your cat is suffering from ill health. Cost also plays a part in cat food as prices vary considerably between brands. Generally speaking, the more expensive a food, the healthier and better for your cat it will be, but budgets often cannot stretch so a cheaper food should be found.

Cats have different tastes. Whilst some cats love tuna, others may loathe it. It is a good idea to try out your cat on a variety of foods to see which they prefer. Taste preferences should not be forgotten about when it comes to selecting a cat food. Understanding cat food labels is very important when choosing a food, as clever wording can mean something that looks healthy and delicious, may in fact not be. Look closely at the ingredient list on the back of the product when choosing a food and make sure the first product listed in a high protein item such as chicken or tuna.

If you are switching to a new food, your cat may need a little time to get used to it. If they turn their nose up the first day, that doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t ever like it, so a bit of patience and perseverance is required. If your cat continues to avoid a food, it is probably time for a change, and if your cat appears to become unwell and shows signs of sickness or diarrhea it could also meant the food is not appropriate.

Do any of you have any comments about the best food for cats? Send in your thoughts and advice below.

How much water does a cat need?

The water that a cat needs varies considerably from cat to cat. As size of the cat, age, activity level and even weather conditions play a role in determining the amount of water a cat needs, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. One thing that is sure however is that cats need plenty of water each day, and prolonged dehydration can lead to bad health and even death. Water is vital for flushing out toxins, and keeping tissues healthy so a good clean bowl of fresh water every morning is important. It should be replaced as soon as it runs dry. Dry cat food has very little moisture in it, so it is important to remember that cats will need to drink more if they are on a dry food diet.

Cat owners can use the drinking habits of their cats as a way of determining any ill health. A dramatic change in the amount a cat is drinking can be a sign that the cat is unwell and possibly needs vet attention. Cats drink larger volumes of water in very hot weather as humans do, so make sure you are particularly vigilant in making sure they have enough to drink in summer.

If you believe your cat may be dehydrated, pull the loose skin gently at the back of the neck. If it falls back into place quickly then your cat is fine, if it takes time to go back, your cat is dehydrated and needs fluids immediately. If you want to encourage your cat to drink, a fantastic trick is putting ice cubes in their water bowl. This makes it interesting for them and gives them something to play with.

Having a dirty water bowl could be a reason why your cat doesn’t want to drink. Plastic tends to soak up smells and grime, so ceramic or stainless steel are much better to use. If some food drops into a cat’s water, they may turn their nose up at it as they don’t like spoiled water. Be sure to thoroughly clean your cat’s water bowl every day, and run it through the dishwasher whenever possible too.

Do any of you have any other information about cats and drinking water? Has your cat ever suffered from dehydration? Do you have any tips for encouraging your cat to drink? Send in your comments below.

How to read a cat food label

The quality of cat food your cat is eating is very important, as a poor diet can result in poor health for cats. When you head down the cat food isle of your supermarket, you could be forgiven for thinking the world of cat food is a bit of a minefield, because unless you know a few of the rules and understand a bit about how it works, it really can be a minefield.

Not many people realise how important the wording on a cat food label is, and what it implies for the product.

If the cat food product is described as “Tuna Cat Food”, according to the guidelines set by the regulators of cat food, this means that at least 95% of the product must consist of the stated ingredient, in this case tuna.

If there are two ingredients listed, such as “Tuna and Salmon Cat Food”, then the same 95% rule applies, with the first meat listed (tuna) as more predominant in the product.

When a filler word is present, such as “dinner” or “entree” or “platter”, although you might think this makes it sounds more tasty, the truth is it means the product only needs to contain 25% of the stated meat to comply with regulations. So a “Tuna and Salmon Platter”, only has 25% tuna and salmon present in the tin.

When the word “with” is used, that means just 3% of the product consists of the stated meat. There is a huge difference therefore between “Tuna Cat Food” (95% tuna) and “Cat Food with Tuna” (3% Tuna)

It is very important when you are selecting cat food to have a look at the ingredients list on the back, as here you will see what is contained within the product in the order of predominance. If an ingredient such as “corn meal” is listed first, then it is wise to steer clear of this particular food. The top quality foods always have the stated meat listed first. Also be aware that even though a product may be tuna based, there may still be other meats like chicken and beef products contained within it.

These are a few of the tricks used by manufacturers of cat food explained. Always look out for the wording on the front of the label and the ingredients list on the back as this information will give you a fair idea of what sort of quality the food is.

If you have any other tips on how to read a cat food label or ensuring your cat gets the very best in terms of diet, send in your comments below.

A well fed pet is a happy pet

It is very important that your pet is consistently at the correct weight. Being either overweight or underweight can have serious health consequences and shorten their life expectancy. Overweight dogs in particular are prone to arthritic conditions in later life, greater risk of diabetes or liver problems, not to mention a general lack of energy and skin problems. Underweight dogs can suffer from bad muscle tone, longer healing times as well as no energy and even reproductive disorders. For optimum health, pets must receive adequate levels of proper nutrition which means feeding them the correct levels of suitable food.

Selecting a high quality food is very important as it will fulfil nutritional needs and keep your pet in better health than cheaper, poor quality varieties. A general guideline to follow with regards to how much to feed your (small-ish) dog is one and a half cups per 20 pounds of body weight. For larger breeds of dog however around 15% more calories per pound are needed to ensure energy levels are topped up and your pet is receiving the right nutrition.

There are a few other considerations to think about with regard to food such as the actual calorie content of the food which can be found on the label, as well as your dog’s current weight and projected weight (if not at the correct level.) Activity level is also important, as is some environmental considerations for example the daily temperature of the dog’s environment. Your veterinarian can provide further information about food quantities and the best weight for your dog.

It is sensible to avoid giving your pet any food scraps from the table as generally it won’t be designed for a dog and will interfere with its digestion. As long as your pet is receiving the correct quantity of high quality food, they will be full of energy and live a long and happy life. Do any of you have any tips on what and how much to feed a pet? Send in your comments below.

Supplements for your pet

Supplements are designed to compliment diet and ensure bodies maintain a normal biological function. They work for us, so why not our pets? The pet supplement market has been growing recently and research suggests that at least 17% of pet owners regularly include supplements into their pet’s diet.

Pet supplements range from multivitamins to encourage excellent overall health to targeted formulas that are designed to alleviate specific problems such as joint problems or cognitive dysfunction.

If your pet is suffering from a condition, even a serious one such as cancer, there are supplements available that can help. Alpha lipoic acid for example, a powerful antioxidant can be used to alleviate pain and suffering of your pet. This particular supplement also helps prevent cataracts and even restore numerous biological functions that are diminished with aging.

It is very important however to talk to your veterinarian before administering supplements as self prescribing can sometimes be dangerous. Furthermore there are a number of products available to buy that do not deliver all that they promise and are of overall poor standard.

There are 4 things that as a pet owner you should look out for when selecting supplements:

• Quality - How much of the active ingredient is in the product? Use the telephone number on the product to ask questions about the product.
• Efficacy - What, if any is the scientific basis behind the supplement? Ask about what studies have been carried out and where you can find the results.
• Tolerance - Check all the ingredients as a product may contain something that your pet is allergic to or will react with other medications.
• Safety - Make sure the safety of the product has been proved. Phone the company or check their website if you want to know what safety tests have been carried out.

Have any of you used supplements for your pet? Have you seen a positive change overall or perhaps even dramatic changes? Send in your comments below.