In recent years, more and more people have started to raise pet cats and dogs. When deciding to raise a pet, we must clearly understand the growth characteristics and feeding rules of the pet and take the pet's life seriously. Generally speaking, the growth rules of pets are: 0~12 months is the growth period; 1~7 years old is the maintenance period; 7 years old and above is the senior period. The nutritional balance of pets will change according to the growth stage, so it is very important to choose food according to each stage.
Food for lactation (0~30 days)
Puppies and kittens about 3 weeks old can get the necessary nutrients from maternal milk, but when breast milk is insufficient or they cannot drink breast milk for some reason, they should be given milk substitutes that meet their nutritional needs. Within 2 weeks after birth, 6~8 times a day; after that, it is given in 4~5 times, but in order to obtain immunity from the mother, it should be allowed to drink colostrum as much as possible.
Food for weaning (20~60 days after birth)
About 3 weeks after birth, due to the appearance of deciduous teeth, weaning food begins to be used, and breast milk substitutes are given as an auxiliary. Observe the feces to confirm the digestion of the animal, and gradually replace it with special food for puppies and kittens. Weaning should be completed 6 to 8 weeks after birth. However, weaning food is highly digestible, so high-protein, high-calorie food should be given at the same time.
Food for the growth period (50 days after birth to 1 year old)
During the growth period, puppies and kittens will grow to the size of adult dogs and cats. Their growth rate is about 10 times that of humans, so more energy is needed during the growth period. However, compared with the early and middle growth periods, the growth rate is slower in the late growth period, so be careful to avoid excess calories.
(1) "Dog" food for the growth period The growth of dogs varies depending on their size and breed. Small dogs need about 10 months; medium dogs about 1 year; large dogs about 1.5 to 2 years. Growing dogs require about twice as much energy per 1 kg of body weight as adult dogs. Adult dogs have an increased demand for almost all nutrients such as protein, fat, and calcium. However, puppies whose digestive abilities are not fully developed cannot eat a large amount of food at one time. Therefore, they can be given high-calorie foods in small amounts and multiple times.
(2) Cat food during the growth period A cat can reach about 75% of its body weight in the first 6 months after birth. Kittens 2 months after birth require about 3 times the calories of adult cats; kittens 6 months after birth require about 1.3 times the calories of adult cats. Kittens in the growth period need more high protein than adult cats, especially taurine, which plays an indispensable role in the growth of kittens. They also need to balance the intake of calcium and phosphorus related to bone formation. However, like dogs, cats cannot eat a large amount of food at one time. Therefore, in addition to giving high-calorie foods in small amounts and multiple times, cats should be given a variety of foods during their growth period to prevent picky eating.
Maintenance period (adult dog period, adult cat period) Dogs and cats spend most of their lives in this stage, and their daily eating habits are closely related to their health. Therefore, it is very important to properly consume high-quality foods with balanced nutrition.
(1) Maintenance period "dog" food The maintenance period for dogs refers to small dogs between 1 and 8 years old and large dogs between 2 and 6 years old. The daily energy requirement for adult dogs varies depending on their size, feeding conditions, and amount of exercise. Small dogs require more energy per kilogram of body weight than large dogs. In addition, sterilized dogs tend to gain weight due to reduced exercise, so it is necessary to adjust the amount of food they eat.
(2) Maintenance period "cat" food The maintenance period for cats refers to the period between 1 and 7 years old. A cat weighing 4 kg requires about 270 kcal of energy per day; cats that are active often require slightly more energy, about 300 kcal. Cats that have been sterilized or are kept indoors and do not exercise often require lower energy, about 230 kcal.
Food for the elderly
Small dogs are 8 years old, medium dogs are 7 years old, large dogs are 6 years old, and cats begin to age around 7 years old. The function of the internal organs of elderly dogs and cats is reduced, and the digestive function is also reduced. Therefore, body fat increases, muscles decrease, and the ability of basal metabolism begins to decrease. The daily energy required is also reduced by about 20% compared with the maintenance period. However, the appetite of dogs and cats will not decrease. If the same amount of food is given as in the maintenance period, the probability of obesity or burden on the internal organs due to excessive energy will increase, and the calorie intake needs to be limited. Pet food for the elderly has less fat content, increased carbohydrates, and controlled calories.
Pet knowledge
Feeding: How to feed pets scientifically?
Wrong practices and their consequences:
Overfeeding: Long-term overfeeding will not only cause pets to become obese, but may also cause a series of health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, etc., which seriously threaten the health and lifespan of pets.
Feeding human food: Some ingredients in human food, such as chocolate, onions, etc., are toxic to pets, and long-term feeding may cause poisoning.
Ignoring the freshness of food: Expired or spoiled food contains bacteria, which can easily cause gastrointestinal problems after pets eat it.
Irregular feeding schedules: Irregular feeding schedules can disrupt your pet’s biological clock, which can cause digestive problems in the long run.
Correct practices and reasons:
Regular feeding schedules: Regular eating habits help your pet maintain a healthy weight and prevent obesity and related diseases.
Feed pet food: Pet food designed specifically for your pet ensures balanced nutrition and avoids health problems caused by insufficient or excessive nutrition.
Check food freshness: Ensure food is fresh and avoid feeding expired or spoiled food to reduce the risk of food poisoning.
Regular feeding schedules: Regular feeding schedules help your pet develop good living habits and promote digestive health.
