How to feed your pet properly: feeding standards and frequency

Nutrition is not only the basis of your pet's health, but also an important part of his daily care. Every pet, whether it's a dog, cat or other animal, requires an individual approach in terms of feeding. Following the correct feeding standards and frequency helps prevent problems with the pet's weight, digestion, and general health. In this article, we will look at how to properly feed your pet, what nutrition standards exist for different age groups, and how often the animal should be fed.

1. Proper feeding standards: how to calculate a pet's needs

To understand how much food your pet needs, you need to consider several factors: age, weight, activity level, breed, and health status. It is important to remember that the nutritional needs of different animals can vary greatly.

1.1. Dogs
Feeding standards for dogs depend on their size, age, and activity level.:

- Puppies: Puppies grow fast and need high-calorie food. It is important for them to provide sufficient protein, fat, and carbohydrates for growth and development. Puppies should be fed 3-4 times a day.
- Adult Dogs: An adult dog with normal physical activity needs food that provides a balanced nutritional content. Usually adult dogs need 2 feedings per day.
- Elderly dogs: Older dogs may need less food as their metabolism slows down. They may also require special feeds to support joints, digestion, or heart health.

1.2. Cats
Cats, like dogs, need food appropriate to their age and condition.:

- Kittens: Kittens are active babies that require a large number of calories for growth and development. They are fed 3-4 times a day, starting from 4-6 weeks.
- Adult Cats: Adult cats usually need 2 meals a day. It is important that the food for them is of high quality, balanced and suitable for their age and activity.
- Older cats: As cats age, they may become less active and consume less food. For older cats, it is recommended to add vitamins and minerals to maintain kidney, joint and coat health.

2. Frequency of feeding

The frequency of feeding directly depends on the age, health status and activity of the pet.

2.1. Puppies and kittens
Puppies and kittens grow very fast and, consequently, their energy and nutrient requirements are much higher. That is why they are fed more often than adult pets.

- Puppies are fed 3-4 times a day, starting from an early age and gradually switching to 3 feedings after 6 months.
- Kittens are fed 3-4 times a day until they reach 6 months of age. After that, you can gradually switch to 2 feedings per day.

2.2. Adult dogs and cats
As a rule, 2 meals a day are enough for adult animals.:

- Dogs: Dogs of medium and large size are usually fed twice a day — in the morning and in the evening. Small breeds may require an additional snack, but in general they can also be satisfied with 2 meals.
- Cats: Cats can eat more often, but in small portions. Many owners offer cats food twice a day, but some prefer to feed them several times a day, especially if the animal is prone to snacking or shows interest in food.

2.3. Elderly animals
Elderly pets, like adult animals, are usually fed twice a day. However, it is important to monitor their health status, as older animals may have special nutritional needs (for example, food for weight maintenance or blood sugar control). As an animal ages, it may require less food, but it is important to maintain a balanced diet.

3. How do I determine how much food a pet needs?

Each pet is unique, and the dosage of food depends on many factors. The main rule is to monitor the animal's condition and adjust the amount of food depending on its weight and activity.

 3.1. Portions according to the recommendations on the package 

The recommended doses are usually indicated on the feed package, depending on the weight and age of the animal. This is a convenient guideline, but it's worth remembering that these dosages can be indicative.

3.2. Weight control
To understand if you are feeding your pet properly, keep an eye on its weight. If your pet starts gaining weight, you should reduce the amount of food or increase physical activity. If the animal is losing weight, you may need to increase the portions.

3.3. Pet Activity
Active pets (such as working dogs or very playful cats) need more food than less active animals. Also keep in mind that pregnant or lactating females will require more energy.

4. Feeding Tips

4.1. Keep an eye on the quality of the feed
It is better to feed your pet with premium or super premium class food that matches its age, breed and health. It is important that the food is balanced and provides the animal with all the necessary vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

4.2. Do not overfeed your pet.
Overeating can lead to obesity, which in turn can cause problems with the joints, cardiovascular system, and other organs. Make sure that you feed your pet in the right portions and monitor its weight.

4.3. Provide access to water
Do not forget that the animal must have constant access to fresh water. It is important to maintain a water balance, especially if you feed your pet dry food.

4.4 Avoid snacking between meals
Dogs and cats may be prone to asking for more stares, but don't give your pet too many treats between main meals. This can disrupt the balance of calories in the diet and lead to excess weight.

5. Special diets and feeding on the recommendation of a veterinarian

If your pet has chronic illnesses or special needs (such as kidney, liver, allergies, or obesity), it is important to consult with a veterinarian to develop a specialized diet. The veterinarian may recommend a special food that will help monitor the pet's health and avoid deterioration.

Proper feeding is the key to a long and healthy life for your pet. Compliance with feeding standards, frequency of meals and proper food selection will help maintain the health of your animal. Always monitor his condition in order to adjust the diet in time, and do not forget about regular consultations with the veterinarian to take into account the individual needs of the pet.