The document discusses several guidelines for properly feeding pets: choose a complete and balanced diet labeled as such; select diets for different life stages like senior diets for older pets; avoid overfeeding to prevent obesity and maintain ideal body condition; discuss risks of raw food diets with your veterinarian; cats require a meat-based diet for health; some foods can help maintain dental health; canned or dry food are equally nutritious depending on preference; change diets gradually and consult your veterinarian for medical conditions or weight issues.

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2. Choose a complete and balanced diet
To meet the nutritional
needs of your pet,
select an AAFCO
“complete and
balanced” diet by
checking the food label
for those words.
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3. Life stage feeding
If you have a kitten or puppy, select a diet formulated for youngsters
and a senior diet for your older pet.
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4. Over-feeding
We have an epidemic of pet obesity in the United States. Feed your
dog to maintain an ideal body condition.
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5. Ideal body condition in your cat
Feed your cat to maintain the ideal body condition shown in the
cartoon below.
Your cat should have a
waistline when viewed
from the top and side.
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6. Raw food diets
Raw food diets have human health implications.
Discuss the risks
of feeding a raw
food diet with
your veterinarian,
especially if your
family has
children or
elderly members.
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7. Cats need meat
Cats are obligate carnivores and require a meat-based diet to provide the
essential amino acids arginine and taurine required for feline health and
well-being.
Always feed your cat a
meat-based diet. Feeding
your cat a vegetarian diet
may put his health at risk.
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8. Feed to promote dental health
Scientific research has shown some foods help to maintain dental
health. These foods have the Veterinary Oral Health Council
Seal of Acceptance.
Find products
demonstrated to
improve oral health
at:
http://www.vohc.org/
accepted_products.
htm
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9. Canned or dry?
Which is better? This kitten says canned!
Canned and dry are equally nutritious.
The choice depends on preference. For
some medical conditions, a special diet
may be recommended.
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10. Changing your pet’s diet
Your furry foodie may need a diet change because of her need to lose
weight, medical issues being managed by a specially formulated diet,
or changes in her taste preference for a particular food.
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11. Feeding a therapeutic diet
Specially formulated diets facilitate management of conditions such
as liver disease, kidney disease and diabetes.
If your veterinarian
prescribes a
therapeutic diet for
your pet, wait until he
is feeling better
before gradually
changing the diet.
Healthy pets accept a
new diet more readily.
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12. Introduce new food slowly
At first, put a small serving of the new food in a separate bowl near your
pet’s regular food. Allow them to test the new food on their own
schedule.
Abrupt diet changes
may cause
gastrointestinal upset
or refusal to eat a
different diet.
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13. Most important of all!
REMEMBER: If you need advice about feeding your
pet, your veterinarian is the best source for food and
feeding information.
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