We love our pets, and they completely rely on us to take care of them the best way we can. One of their most important needs is good food. However, many of us are confused when it comes to determining a dog’s or cat’s dietary needs. Thanks to a lot of options! So, here’s an important guide that will give you insights into pet food or feed and its varieties.
Feeding your pets the right way and giving them enough playtime are two ways to their happiness. With the right feed, the pets get energy, develop immunity, and live a long and happy life. Not just that, your pet will have a shinier coat plus their digestive system comes on track. Now that you know its importance, it’s vital to choose the best. There are hundreds or maybe thousands of choices. They vary hugely based on the kind of pet you have, the breed, ingredients and many more factors. Researching online, understanding ingredients, and knowing about trusted brands can help you choose easier and faster. On this page, we will unveil more things you need to know about them so that you can choose the best pet food for cats, dogs and other pets.
Exploring various pet food and their varieties
Pet food that you find in supermarkets or pet stores is generally specific to the type of pet, like dog food and cat food. Although feed for pets does not come in as many shapes and colours as food for humans, there are still many varieties to choose from. The food selection also relies on what age the pet is. For example, if you are considering food for your dog, then at puppy age, they need a proper ratio of protein to fat, whereas adult dogs need proper fat to protein ratio. It also depends upon what your vet recommends. Like, in the case of weight management, the diet should have lower fat and protein levels, but it should be high on fibre to cut on weight and ensure the dog is full. Read on to know more!
Dog food
Looking at tons of options out there, new dog parents may feel a bit intimidated while choosing one and feeding it. The food for dogs can be divided into wet, dry, and raw food items. The wet food, as the title suggests, come with high moisture content. Some of the common wet food for dogs come in cans, foil trays and pouches. The contents are something like chunks in gravy, chunks in jelly etc. Dry food, on the other hand, has low moisture content. It comes in the form of shaped pellets or kibbles, biscuits, and flake food. There is also a wide range of commercially produced raw products that you can find in frozen or freeze-dried formats. Complete dog food is complete nutritionally, whereas complementary ones are only a part of the diet.
Cat food
When it comes to cats or kitten food, they have specific requirements for their dietary nutrients. Just like dog food, there are also two categories- wet food and dry food for cats. Dry cat food is a popular choice as it can be left out all day. This type of food basically helps the cat maintain healthy teeth and gums. But wet food has its own place. It fulfils the water requirements. With the help of treats, you can strengthen your bond with your furry friend. You can categorize the commercial cat foods as dry, semi-moist, and canned. These may differ in protein level, water content, caloric density, digestibility, and more factors.
Hamster food
Just like other pets, hamsters also need food that meet their nutritional requirements. A quality diet should be available for this pet to eat for the whole day. While buying food for hamsters, make sure you consider the nutritional value. Many experts believe that this pet needs a mix of 15% protein and 3-6% fat. However, the percentages may vary as per conditions, such as if the hamster is pregnant or in the case of baby hamsters. You can avoid food items having excessive sugar as they do not need sugar in their diets. Although, salt is necessary. You can find food for them in two varieties- seed and pelleted hamster food.