Can My Pet Eat That?
We all love our pets and like to feed them all the treats we enjoy ourselves. Although not all our food is safe for our pets. So, the question is can my pet eat that?
Feeding some food to your cat or dog can actually be dangerous.
Can my Pet Eat That?
A good diet is key to avoiding nutritional deficiencies for any animal. The problem is so many pet owners don’t know what a healthy diet is for their cat or dog.
What’s okay for your pet
Cats and dogs have quite different dietary requirements, and they need a well-balanced diet for their overall health and nutrition.
Cats are carnivores and require essential amino acids from meat proteins. Dogs are omnivores and while they’re able to eat a more varied diet, it’s important that the formulation is right for growth and development.
However, both cats and dogs can eat vegetable treats such as carrots, cucumber, and zucchini are healthy, affordable options. The bonus is they help minimize weight gain in pets.
What’s not okay for your pet
Chocolate is a no-no for both cats and dogs as it contains theobromine. A chemical compound that’s toxic to our furry friends. Grapes, fatty foods (such as bacon and meat trimmings), onions, garlic raisins, xylitol (an artificial sweetener), and alcohol are also on the no-go list, along with cooked bones.
You should also take care when feeding dogs and cats a raw diet. Due to the difficulties in balancing it, as well as the risk of bacterial contamination.
A dairy diet is also off the menu. While some animals can tolerate it, others can’t due to being lactose intolerance. Raw dough is also to be avoided too as it may cause your pet’s stomach to expand, requiring urgent medical treatment.
Still not sure?
Dietary requirements can differ depending on the breed, age, and health requirements of your pet. If in doubt, chat with your vet.
The food checklist for change
If you want to try something new, here’s how to transition your diet.
Read the label
Check the calories (or kilojoules) per cup to make sure your pet gets the right amount of food.
Change it slowly
Mix new food with the old food, slowly increasing the new food over the space of a week.
Review your insurance policy
Feeding your pet an alternative diet could void some policies if they get ill.
