Local Value Veterinary

Tag: puppy

  • Puppy and Kitten Care

    Puppy and Kitten Care

    5 Interesting Feeding Tips for Puppy and Kitten Care

    Most pet owners are unfamiliar with the fact that puppies and kittens are not fed similarly to their adult companions. Here are some interesting points to inform and enlighten on the options regarding puppy and kitten nutrition.

    Feeding Styles

    A sign of good appetite in young pets is that they will tend to eat more frequently, with even higher appetite than their adult counterparts. The case is especially for kittens below six months requiring at least four meals a day or at times opting for free feeding (they eat at their disposal). Similarly, puppies do need at least three meals in a day, with the one under two weeks requiring food at least every two hours.

    Balanced Diet

    A puppy or kitten is at most risk of nutritional imbalances and allergies based on the food they eat, and this makes it essential that the pet gets a balanced diet for proper development. During the early weeks, the mother’s milk (dam and queen) are the ideal options for growth. If it cannot sustain, then a kitten or puppy milk replacer is another option.

    What about Meat?

    Raw meat does not contain a proper balance of the nutrients if fed alone to growing puppies. It lacks the required calcium levels that are essential for adequate tooth and bone development in dogs. Weaned kittens, which have successfully transitioned to adult food, can handle meat comfortably although this depends on the individual pet’s digestive system.

    Is Canned Food Safe?

    Unless the puppy or kitten has an underlying condition, feeding canned food or dry commercial pet food saturated with milk replacer is still recommendable for unweaned pets. The best option, therefore, is to avoid exposing the kittens to different varieties of diets by picking a product that is closer to the pet’s natural diet and meets AAFCO standards.

    Body Condition

    While there is plenty of attention on the feeding of kittens and puppies, monitoring their weight, health and appearance also play a significant role in identifying the ideal nutrition for them. Identifying the perfect body condition would need body composition charts, or visit the vet and identify the health metrics.

    There are plenty of chances than not everyone would know what to do with a new puppy or kitten at home. However with the right knowledge, and nutrition the first few months of the young pet could become less exhaustive.

    SOURCES: WSAVA, AAFCO, MDPI, The Optimal Dog
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value

  • Commemorating National Puppy Day – March 23, 2017

    Commemorating National Puppy Day – March 23, 2017

    ‘Every dog has its day,’ goes the famous adage.

    In line with this, ten days after the commemoration of their elder brothers’ National K9 Veterans Day on March 13, our tail wagging and sniffing chums will have their dedicated day. All dog lovers and pet owners mark your calendars on the 23rd day of March this year. It is the National puppy day.

    History of the National Puppy’s Day

    Established ten years ago on March 23, 2006, by Colleen Paige – a celebrity home lifestyle expert and pet lover – the day is annually dedicated to your cute furry friends with two main objectives. First, to recognize and cherish the joy and warmth that baby pups add to our lives. Second, to raise awareness of the essence of pet adoption and significant issues surrounding a puppy’s health.

    What you Should be doing on National Puppy’s Day

    If you have recently acquired a puppy, then this is the best time to schedule a first comprehensive checkup. However, it is important to bear in mind that puppies should be first vaccinated at the age of 6 weeks. An early visit to your vet will ensure a flourishing future health of your growing barking buddy.

    The National Puppy Day this year is also the opportune time to purchase a name tag or make sure that your pup’s current name tag is in good condition and up to date should they get lost in the neighborhood. Puppies naturally love to explore their immediate environment. It shouldn’t surprise you that they have already lost it.

    Lastly, 23rd March is the day you puppy proof your home by storing away hazardous household chemicals such as cleaning agents and medicine. You may also want to keep your curious tail-wagging friend away from from the danger of consuming ‘people’s food’ that can be potentially toxic to dogs. This includes foodstuff such as avocados, onions, chocolate and most kitchen ingredients.