Pet Nutrition Guide: Feeding Your Feline and Canine Companions
Is milk a good food for cats? Contrary to popular belief, cats and dogs should not drink cow's milk. This food is not well-digested as they lack the enzyme lactase, which processes lactose.
Can cats eat dog food? There is a reason why pet food manufacturers produce separate products for dogs and cats: their preferences and nutritional needs differ. It is essential for cats to eat cat food, which is complete and balanced to meet their specific nutritional requirements for a healthy life. While occasional consumption of dog food may not harm a cat, it is not advisable as a habit.
How to Properly Feed a Pet:
Leave Food Available: Unlike dogs, cats can regulate their food intake and rarely eat everything at once. Unless your veterinarian recommends otherwise, cats should always have access to food to eat when they want. This allows them to have between 12 and 20 small meals a day.
The same applies to water. Although they can survive with little water, cats should be able to access it whenever they want.
Mixed Feeding is a Good Option: Dry food is essential, especially because it contributes to oral hygiene. Some dry foods even contain pyrophosphates, which can help prevent the formation of plaque on the teeth. However, you can complement dry food with some wet food. Since cats feel little thirst, they are more susceptible to developing urinary tract stones. To ensure they stay hydrated, provide wet food, which contains between 78 and 82% water, two to three times a week. While not essential, wet food is a more palatable option and can compensate for a less nutritious dry diet.
Foods to Avoid Giving to Animals:
Chocolate, Coffee, and Caffeine: Domestic cats descend from strict carnivores. In hunting, they seek small prey such as mice, birds, and insects. Additionally, the chemistry and structure of the cat's gastrointestinal system are suitable for digesting and absorbing nutrients from animal proteins and fats. For this reason, unsupplemented vegetarian diets can result in deficiencies of certain essential amino acids, fatty acids, and vitamins.
Citrus Fruits: Dogs should not eat the peel, white skins of the orange, or any parts of the plant. It is essential to remove all traces of skin, pits, and seeds as they may contain harmful components. If ingested in significant amounts, these can cause irritation and even depression of the central nervous system. However, small doses of orange will likely not cause problems beyond mild stomach discomfort.
Grapes and Raisins: Ingested in small amounts, coconut and coconut-based products probably do not cause serious problems for pets. However, they contain oils that can cause stomachaches or diarrhea. Additionally, coconut water is rich in potassium and should not be given to your pet.
Coconut and Coconut Oil: Although the toxic substance present in grapes and raisins is unknown, they can cause kidney failure in dogs.
Macadamia Nuts and Other Nuts: Macadamia nuts can cause weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia in dogs. Signs usually appear 12 hours after ingestion and can last between 24 and 48 hours.
Milk and Dairy Products: Since pets do not have significant amounts of lactase (the enzyme that processes lactose in milk), milk and other dairy products can cause diarrhea or other digestive problems.
Onion, Garlic, and Chives: Both onion and garlic can cause gastrointestinal irritation in animals, as well as anemia. Although cats are more susceptible, dogs are also at risk if they consume a large amount.
Raw Meat, Undercooked Eggs, and Bones: Raw meat and eggs can contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. Coli, which are harmful to both animals and humans. Raw eggs, for example, contain an enzyme called avidin, which reduces the absorption of biotin (a B-vitamin), leading to skin problems.
Additionally, feeding animals with bones can be very dangerous, as they can choke or suffer severe injury if the bone splinters and lodges in the animal's digestive tract.
Xylitol: Xylitol, used as a sweetener in many products such as chewing gum and toothpaste, can stimulate insulin release in most species, leading to liver failure. This can result in a sudden drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Initial signs of poisoning in animals include vomiting, lethargy, and loss of coordination.
Always consult with your veterinarian for personalized nutrition advice for your pets. Ensure that their diet meets their specific needs for a healthy and happy life.