Feed your pet right
As dogs live on a diet of protein in the wild, this is the most important ingredient to look for when selecting dog food. Make sure whatever diet you choose is rich in protein
I have just brought a stray cat home. Her coat is very dull. What can I do?
Since medical issues could be blamed, it's important to act quickly. Have your cat checked by a vet as soon as possible. If allergies, infections, or other disorders are ruled out, you can move on to other causes of your cat's coat deficiency. The most common cause of dull coats in cats is poor diet. Your cat's fur and skin need the right amounts of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, and essential fats to remain healthy and shiny. If the amounts get out of balance, it will result in dry skin and dull fur. Since she has come from the road, she will need good food to bring her to optimum health. Some cats need help with grooming, whether it's because of weight, injury, old age or a disease like arthritis that makes it difficult to reach certain areas. Give your cat a hand; brush her regularly with a good-quality cat brush. This removes mats and tangles in the fur and spreads essential skin oils through the coat, keeping it healthy and shiny. Don't overdo bathing. If you bathe your cat too regularly, it will backfire and dry out the skin. When the essential skin oils are removed, the fur becomes dry and dull. Most cats only need a bath every couple of months at the most. Be sure you're using a cat-specific shampoo, as human shampoo will be too harsh on your cat's sensitive skin.
Is it necessary to give a dog only commercial dog food?
No. You can make food for your dog at home itself. A homemade diet is healthier for your dog as the food may contain less preservative and additives. However, dogs have nutritional needs depending on their size, energy level and age. Dogs need a diet comprised of protein, carbohydrates and fibre in order to be healthy and happy. As dogs live on a diet of protein in the wild, this is the most important ingredient to look for when selecting dog food. Make sure whatever diet you choose is rich in protein. Carbohydrates are also important to a dog's diet. You can use carbohydrates found in products like wheat, barely, corn and oats. You can also use carbs found in green vegetables like spinach or broccoli. Many commercial dog food brands contain these types of carbs for your dog. Fruits may be used to assure your dog gets enough fibre in his diet. However, check with your vet before feeding your dog fruits. Certain fruits, like grapes, may be poisonous to your dog. We have created a book called 'How to keep your dog vegetarian'. You can e-mail us to get it.
When should I change my puppy's diet to an adult dog food formula?
When your puppy's growth in height slows, you should begin switching to an adult-formula dog food. This usually occurs around nine to 12 months for small breeds, around 12 months for medium breeds and around 12 to 24 months for large breeds.
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