18 February 2021
Congratulations, you’ve made the decision to transition your puppy or kitten onto a Nutrience formula! As with any food, it is important to gradually transition your puppy or kitten from one food to another to reduce the likelihood of digestive upset. Start with a proportion of 25% of the new Nutrience food and 75% of the old food. Slowly change the proportions over the next 5 to 7 days by gradually increasing the amount of the new food and decreasing the amount of old food.
Some pets may require a longer transition time depending on their sensitivities or when changing to a new formula that is drastically different from the current one. In cases where your pet has a sensitive tummy, or the ingredient panel or macronutrient content is radically different between formulas (namely the protein, fat, and/or fiber content), we recommend a 10-to-14-day transition period to give your pet’s digestive system time to adjust.
Pet obesity is a serious problem that is becoming more and more common. Did you know that up to 60% of the dog and cat population are considered overweight or obese?
Simply filling up your pet’s bowl when it is empty is often referred to as “free feeding” and can result in overeating and obesity in dogs and cats. Weight gain occurs when an animal consumes more energy than it is burning. Dogs and cats may overeat when free-fed if they are being offered an irresistibly tasty diet. While there is nothing wrong with wanting to provide a diet that is not only nutritious but also delicious, portion control is critical to prevent overeating. There are some external factors that influence food intake as well. The timing and the environment in which your pet is fed can have an effect on how much they eat. Dogs and cats who eat multiple meals a day and those eating in presence of other animals tend to consume more.
Whether your animal’s bowl is left out or they are fed in intervals, it is crucial to follow the daily portion recommended which can be found on the ‘feeding guide’ of every bag to prevent excess calorie intake. If your pet is at their ideal body weight and body condition score, continue to feed them according to their current weight. However, if your pet is overweight, in order to help them lose the excess weight, their food should gradually be cut back to the feeding recommendation for their ideal body weight, as continuing to provide enough food for their current body weight will provide enough calories for them to stay overweight. You may also want to use our Feeding Calculator for a more tailored feeding recommendation.
Also, interactive feeders are a great way to stimulate your pet. While our domestic cats and dogs are cozy at home, their ancestors and cousins spend up to 80% of their time foraging for food. An interactive feeder such as a feeding tree or puzzle will stimulate your pet’s natural hunting instincts and make them work for their food. Animals who are fed through interactive feeders are less likely to eat out of boredom and tend to eat only when they are hungry. Interactive feeders should be filled with your pet’s recommended daily portion of food.
It is highly recommended to use a small kitchen scale to measure your pet’s daily ration of food in grams, as this will allow you to control the amount of food provided with much better accuracy. Everything with regard to dog and cat food is calculated first by weight, then converted to volume (cups), for which the numbers must be rounded and are therefore less precise.
Be sure to check out our Feeding Calculator on the Nutrience website!
Happy feeding!
Sources:
APOP. 2018. Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. Available from: https://petobesityprevention.org/
