Improper feeding practices in dogs and cats
A common cause of nutritional problems in dogs and cats is overfeeding or feeding inappropriate foods. Overfeeding can lead to rapid growth and developmental disease in growing animals. Feeding improper foods can cause digestive upsets, nutrient imbalances and even toxicity.
Table scraps: If fed at all, table scraps should be strictly limited because they seldom provide imbalanced nutrition.
Meet and fish: Although dogs and cats are carnivorous in natute, they will not thrive on an all-meat diet. Neither muscle tissue nor organ meats supply complete nutrition to companion animals.
Dairy products: Although dairy products are excellent sources of calcium and protein, excessive intake may cause diarrhea because of the high lactose content.
Chocolate: Contains theobromine, a compound that is toxic to dogs and cats when consumed in large quantities. Signs of theobromine toxicity usually occur within 5 hours of ingestion and include vomiting, diarrhea, urinary incontinence, and muscle tremors. The risk of toxicosis varies with the type of chocolate (baker's chocolate contains much more theobromine than milk chocolate candy does), as well as the amount ingested and the body weight of the animal.
Diary supplements: Supplementation of a complete and balanced diet with vitamins or minerals may interfere with the utilization of other nutrients in the diet or lead to excess intake and nutrient imbalances.
Nutrient deficiencies or excesses are highly unusual in dogs and cats fed complete and balanced diets. They usually result from improper feeding practices such as: feeding raw fish (which contain thiaminase) and can result in clinical thiamine deficiency in dogs and cats. Treatment in all cases involves feeding a complete and balanced diet and eliminating improper feeding practices.
Key points:
- Pet foods should provide complete and balanced nutrition.
- Factors to consider in selecting a pet food include the pet's age, mature body size, activity level, reproductive status, lifestyle, breed type, and health.
- Portion-controlled feeding is recommended for most dogs and cats.
- Use of improper feeding practices, including overfeeding and feeding inappropriate foods, is a common cause of nutritional problems in dogs and cats.
Table scraps: If fed at all, table scraps should be strictly limited because they seldom provide imbalanced nutrition.
Meet and fish: Although dogs and cats are carnivorous in natute, they will not thrive on an all-meat diet. Neither muscle tissue nor organ meats supply complete nutrition to companion animals.
Dairy products: Although dairy products are excellent sources of calcium and protein, excessive intake may cause diarrhea because of the high lactose content.
Chocolate: Contains theobromine, a compound that is toxic to dogs and cats when consumed in large quantities. Signs of theobromine toxicity usually occur within 5 hours of ingestion and include vomiting, diarrhea, urinary incontinence, and muscle tremors. The risk of toxicosis varies with the type of chocolate (baker's chocolate contains much more theobromine than milk chocolate candy does), as well as the amount ingested and the body weight of the animal.
Diary supplements: Supplementation of a complete and balanced diet with vitamins or minerals may interfere with the utilization of other nutrients in the diet or lead to excess intake and nutrient imbalances.
Nutrient deficiencies or excesses are highly unusual in dogs and cats fed complete and balanced diets. They usually result from improper feeding practices such as: feeding raw fish (which contain thiaminase) and can result in clinical thiamine deficiency in dogs and cats. Treatment in all cases involves feeding a complete and balanced diet and eliminating improper feeding practices.
Key points:
- Pet foods should provide complete and balanced nutrition.
- Factors to consider in selecting a pet food include the pet's age, mature body size, activity level, reproductive status, lifestyle, breed type, and health.
- Portion-controlled feeding is recommended for most dogs and cats.
- Use of improper feeding practices, including overfeeding and feeding inappropriate foods, is a common cause of nutritional problems in dogs and cats.
