As the country adopts a new normal, pet owners nationwide are looking for ways on how they ensure their pet’s health and well-being amidst social distancing. Filipino pet owners must remember that an important way to ensure their pets’ health during this time is by providing cat or dog with a balanced pet food diet that meets their nutritional requirements.
Nutritional Needs
A balanced diet is an important part of pet well-being. A commercial dog or cat food will contain the nutrients that pets need to maintain body systems, support their immune system and provide energy.
A commercial pet food labeled as “Complete and Balanced” will have the vitamins and minerals, as well as appropriate amounts of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, that are the foundation to the pet’s overall well-being.
For example, cats require a number of a vitamins and minerals in their diets to help support their vision, healthy bones, and muscle development. These nutrients must be included in their diet. Proteins and fat provide important energy to help a pet maintain their muscles and organs and support a healthy coat. Carbohydrates can help provide quick energy, for example helping to provide energy during walks with a dog or playing with a cat.
If a person feeds their dog or cat tablescraps, their pet may not receive this important nutrition that helps maintain their health. In addition, certain human foods can even be dangerous to pets, causing stomach upset or even be lethal.
To know more about a pet’s nutritional requirements, it is best to consult their local veterinarians.
Water
Pet owners should also remember the importance of water in their pet’s nutrition. Water carries and move important nutrients like proteins throughout the body. It also helps lubricate and cushion joints to make movement easier for dogs and cats.
Owners must never forget to fill their pets’ bowls with water to cool them down and maintain a normal body temperature as the temperature rises this summer season.
Pet owners also have the responsibility to ensure that their pets receive clean drinking water hence pet bowls must be regularly cleaned and made accessible to their pets any time of the day.
Pet Food Institute (PFI) is committed in educating pet owners about responsible pet ownership to keep pets healthy and happy. Through its local initiative, Well-Fed, Well-Nurtured campaign in partnership with the Veterinary Practitioners Association of the Philippines (VPAP), PFI seeks to advocate responsible pet ownership to the ever-growing Filipino pet community.
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