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How to Select the Right Food for Your Senior Pet?

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Just like in humans, dogs also have different levels of appetite once they start ageing. You might find your beloved friend losing interest in food lately or observing bloating post-meals. Don’t worry, these are all common signs that your pet is now a senior citizen.

In the case of dogs, for example, the larger breeds are considered to be senior when they turn 6 years old and for smaller dogs, the benchmark is eight or nine years of age. This is why big breeds live for about 12-15 years while the small ones can live for as long as 20 years!

Senior pets need special kinds of food for their nutritional requirements. So here are some tips on how to select the right food for your ageing pet.

1. Special nutritional needs

Older pets have a slower metabolism, which leads to bloating, followed by obesity. Obesity is a huge problem in dogs and many dog owners don’t understand how to combat it. So a lower-calorie diet with high levels of fibre is essential.

Since the energy requirement of geriatric pets is much lower than the young ones, they need much fewer calories. If your pet keeps eating the food it used to eat as a puppy or young dog, there are increased risks of weight gain and cardiac problems.

2. Multi-stage dog food

For people who own more than one pet, say two dogs of two different age groups, it becomes hectic to hunt for different types of dog food and compare them with other brands or formulas. In this case, you can go for food that has a multi-stage label on it.

This means that the food inside is appropriate for puppies, young ones, and senior pets. Ideally, this option should only be used when it becomes very difficult to find food for senior pets because when you go for multi-stage food items, you make a little bit of compromise.

This is a good option for owners who cannot differentiate between food types which can lead to the puppy eating senior dog food and the aged dog consuming puppy kibbles.

3. Treats and snacks

When it comes to snacks or treats, you can give your pet low-fat and low-sodium treats. Milk biscuits are a good choice but there are other, healthier alternatives. Vegetables are good. Small slices of carrots or fruits like apples can be given as treats.

4. Water intake

As your pet ages, it becomes increasingly necessary to give them water. Their body’s ability to maintain and retain water becomes weaker with age. Some pets might even start suffering from kidney problems. So practice your dog to drink hearty gulps of water throughout the day.

5. Protein diets

You may notice that many senior pet foods contain high amounts of protein as compared to food for younger animals. This is because high levels of protein help to maintain the ageing body’s muscles and weight without straining the kidneys.

So if you see dog food in a pet store that has a good amount of protein, you can choose it to feed your pet.

6. Supplements

Older pets, especially dogs, suffer from a host of problems like arthritis and joint pain. So a lot of senior pet food contains substances like glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. These two compounds help to relieve joint pain. But it’s important to remember that glucosamine or chondroitin sulfates should be given according to dog formulations only, not human ones.

Since elderly humans also suffer from similar types of pains and aches, their supplements contain the same compounds but in different ratios.

Always make sure you give your pet the veterinary dosage amounts. Most owners believe that supplements help to ease the pain, but the ideal way out is to manage your pet’s weight.

Bonus: What to do if your pet won’t eat?

If you see your pet refusing to eat, take it to a vet to rule out possibilities of cancer, renal problems, or gastrointestinal problems. If the loss of appetite is due to old age, warm up some chicken broth or add a bit of canned food to enhance the taste.

Over to you…

Taking care of an elderly pet is a lot of hard work. But if you keep it under the supervision and offer it healthy, age-appropriate food, it has chances of living much longer. Always make sure to consult your vet and then do the needful.

Pets

How Can Purchasing Royal Canin Cat Food Be a Great Idea?

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You are a responsible pet owner. Therefore, you look for the best ways to improve the well-being of your cat. Buying Royal Canin cat food could be one of the best ways to ensure your kitten’s daily nutritional intake and give your little pal the treat he deserves. High-quality cat food can be the perfect gift for your fluffball and a way to show him your love. Moreover, the investment in your cat’s nutrition could pay for itself down the road through less expensive vet bills and increased vitality for your bundle of joy.

High-quality food options can improve your kitty’s muscular and skeletal health, maintain its claws and coat shine, and be a cost-effective avenue to monitor its weight. By buying Royal Canin cat food, your feline could develop healthily and predictably, and moments spent together could become priceless memories. High-quality cat food is carefully tested to meet the standards imposed by the relevant government authorities. But most of all, it is delicious and suitable for the needs of your fluffy companion.

Why should you invest in Royal Canin cat food? One word: Quality. Brands like Royal Canin, Pedigree, or Taste of the Wild, invest considerable amounts in the research and development of their products and have access to the best ingredients on the market. The meal options from Royal Canin can be ideal for senior dogs and pups, while the wet food offered by companies like Fancy Feast or Dine could be a real gourmet treat for your sophisticated buddy.

What Are the Cornerstones of Quality Cat Food? 

For one thing, quality kibble, such as that offered by Royal Canin cat food, should be easy to digest and provide the nutritional balance necessary for the proper development of your furry companion. Cats are predatory animals, so their nutrition should be focused on proteins of known origin and feature added minerals and vitamins. Quality food can increase your feline’s energy level, improve your fluffball’s long-term well-being, and could be a helpful factor in keeping your kitty’s dental health at an optimal level.

Quality cat kibble or wet food must contain a protein source from a known source, which must come from an animal raised in Australia. And here, the options can range from chicken and fish to mutton or even sheep. The food purchased should comply with the regulations set by the Pet Food Industry Association of Australia and should contain healthy fats such as Omega-3, which have a positive effect on keratin creation.

Quality cat food is free of additives and artificial colours and should feature no added grains, as your cat cannot correctly digest them. It’s best to aim for cat kibble without many carbohydrates. And it would be best to choose a brand with experience in the Australian market, such as Royal Canin. High-quality products are ultimately characterised by consistency. And this is the main thing you should look for in your kitty’s kibble.

Should I Go for Wet Food? 

Should I Go for Wet Food?

The pet food market is worth over $115 billion. But when you want to buy meals for your kitty, you have two choices: kibble or wet food. Kibble is an inexpensive, shelf-resistant option found in the offerings of prominent market players. And it might be ideal if you’re interested in consistency alongside excellent price-to-quality ratios. But wet food is the way to go if you want to spoil your companion. High-quality wet food can offer a hydration boost. And it’s recommended for older cats likely to suffer from kidney problems.

Moreover, cats often prefer the taste of wet food and are more enthusiastic about their feeding times if it involves wet meals. Compared to dry kibble, wet food usually has fewer calories and is a more suitable solution for better managing your kitty’s weight. And it can also be found in an immense variety, coming from different manufacturers, using different types of meat. However, wet food is harder to store, must be eaten immediately after opening, and is usually more expensive.

How Are Dogs’ and Cats’ Dietary Requirements Different? 

Cats are predatory animals, and this means their diet must be based mainly on meat of known origin. Unlike dogs, which are omnivores, cats cannot correctly digest carbohydrates. And for this reason, meals that contain them should be avoided. Furthermore, cats, unlike dogs, cannot naturally process certain amino acids, such as taurine, which should be added to their diets. A lack of taurine in their food could lead to serious health problems, ranging from heart muscle abnormalities to difficulties with night vision.

Being carnivores, cats need a higher intake of animal fats and can barely process the fibres regularly found in dog kibble. Moreover, cats cannot process Vitamin A from plants and therefore have to rely on its conversion from animal sources, which is less effective. Cats are picky eaters and may have different dietary preferences. And at the same time, they are prone to over-eating, so their food portions should be carefully balanced. From this point of view, dogs are easier to care for, and their food may be cheaper. However, dogs can be significantly bulkier than cats, and their nutritional needs may vary according to breed.

Your Cat is Precious 

Your Cat is Precious

Your furry companion is always by your side in difficult moments. And for this reason, you are probably interested in investing in quality food that will complement your feline’s diet and efficiently provide nutritional benefits. Purchasing Royal Canin cat food could, from this point of view one of the best investments you can make, as it is an excellent way to get closer to your pet and to help him develop properly.

High-quality cat food could improve the long-term health prospects of your feline, aid his dental health, reduce vet costs, and help your fluffball keep the condition of his claws and fur pristine. Quality kitty meals can be perfect for your cat and could be the best way to show him that he is an important and beloved member of your family. And purchasing them can ultimately be one of the better financial investments your can make. 

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You’ve Got a Friend: A Guide on How to Socialize Your Puppy

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Dogs are social creatures, so they love to spend time with people and other dogs. If you want your puppy to become healthy and not develop anxiety, you should socialize with them regularly to show them they can have fun and meet new people.

Expose your puppy to new experiences

If you recently got lab puppies, encourage them to have new experiences. For example, if your dog stays at home all day, they won’t become comfortable around others and may form anti-social habits early on.

You could go to the beach with your dog, try different walking routes, and even enjoy hikes. Research your local area to see if you can bring your dog to other places, have fun and experience new places together.

Getting out regularly will allow your dog to learn new things, meet other dogs, and understand the importance of socializing with others.

Go to the dog park and on walks often

As you socialize with your dog, you should take them to the dog park and on walks. Dog parks make it easy for your dog to find other furry friends and interact with them. Do your best to look for dogs of similar sizes, so your dog won’t get overwhelmed or scared.

Walks also work well since you can visit your neighborhood and meet other dogs and people. Many people love dogs, so they may ask to pet your dog or have your dogs get to know each other.

You can even set up puppy playdates to let the dogs have fun while socializing with other puppies.

Offer positive reinforcement and remain calm

As your puppy interacts with dogs and gets to know them, you can give them treats as positive reinforcement. Treats work well since they make your puppy feel good and cause them to associate those delicious treats with what’s happening.

If you encourage them with treats if they interact with dogs and become social, soon, your dog will realize you give them treats because they’re in a safe space. This training will teach them not to worry about playing with other dogs and spending time with them.

Do your best to remain calm and offer your puppy affection, so they feel reassured and recognize that you feel safe.

Remember to socialize with people

While you should have your puppy socialize with other dogs, you should also let them socialize with people. Dogs won’t only spend time with you, so they must become comfortable around others if you want them not to feel anxious.

Doing so requires you to have them spend time with plenty of people at a young age, so invite over friends and let them interact with your dog. You should also let people pet your dog during walks to get them more comfortable around strangers.

If you don’t do this, you may end up with a defensive dog who barks at everyone and gets upset.

Parting shot

Getting your dog to socialize with others can make a difference and help them avoid anxiety. Ensure you put effort into the socialization process, so your dog realizes that they’ll be safe if they interact with people and other dogs. Soon they’ll become a social butterfly who has more fun and makes plenty of friends.

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Finding the Best Pet Health Insurance

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How to Choose the Right Plan for Your Dog or Cat

Just like human medical costs, pet veterinary bills can be quite expensive, but as pet parents, we’d do anything to keep our furry friends healthy and happy.

To help avoid the most major financial repercussions from unexpected veterinary costs, many pet parents are turning to pet health insurance for their dogs or cats. They subscribe month-to-month for a set fee, and then reap the benefits of coverage almost immediately and every time their pet sees the veterinarian.

But it can be hard to choose the best pet health insurance for Fido or Fuzzy, especially if you’re unfamiliar with how it works. Get informed so you can make a smart decision that’ll save you money as you take great care of your pet.

Is Pet Health Insurance Like Human Health Insurance?

Just as humans have health insurance coverage, pets can, too! All you have to do is enroll your pet in the insurance plan and clear the waiting period, which is usually 10 to 14 days (if applicable). You’ll need to pay a monthly premium to keep coverage active, so you can get access to covered services should your pet fall ill or become injured.

Unlike human health insurance, many pet health insurance plans don’t cover preventative care services and vaccines, but some do – and it’s up to you if you want to purchase one of those plans. You’ll need to shop around to get the best deal.

Coverage Considerations

With no perfect way to predict how much you’ll spend annually on your pet’s medical expenses, your best bet is to review bills from the previous year or two. Remember to consider health issues that may crop up due to your pet’s age; you may want to increase coverage for things like joint problems, heart conditions, vision or hearing loss, cancer, or kidney and liver disease.

And remember: accidents happen. Be sure your plan covers care for physical injury, intestinal blockages, and other issues common with cats and dogs.

As you look for coverage, consider these general categories:

  • Wellness and preventative care visits
  • Injuries
  • Pre-existing conditions (whether your pet has any now)
  • Genetic conditions

Not every plan will cover everything. For example, some plans will never cover genetic conditions or preventative care. But if these are important to you, it’s possible to find a plan that covers it.

Numbers You Should Know

Pet health insurance plans come with a range of coverages, which affect the cost of the policy. As you shop for plans, consider your pet’s overall health and the types of issues that may arise as your pet ages. This way, you can be sure that these conditions are covered under your pet health insurance plan.

Typically, the more a plan covers, the more you’ll pay out of pocket for your monthly premiums – but remember that could be quickly defrayed after just one or two pricy visits to your veterinarian.

When selecting a plan for your cat or dog, consider these three financial components:

  1. Annual limit: The annual limit is the maximum amount of money you will get reimbursed for each year. Limits usually start around $3,000, but some plans are unlimited. The higher the limit, the higher the monthly premium you’ll pay, however.
  1. Deductible: This is the amount of money that you would need to pay before your reimbursement benefits begin. Deductibles can be as little as $100, with $250 being one of the most common amounts. The higher the deductible, the lower the monthly premium. Depending on the plan, you may pay a deductible annually or for every veterinary visit for a new health concern.
  1. Reimbursement percentage: This is the amount you’ll be reimbursed. Percentages tend to be from 70 to 90 percent. If your reimbursement percentage is 70 percent, for example, you’ll need to pay the remaining 30 percent out of pocket. The lower the reimbursement percentage, the lower the monthly premium.

So, Which Plan Is Best?

The only person who can determine which pet health insurance plan is best for your pet, your lifestyle, and your budget is you. To make your decision, you’ll need to spend time researching available plans across the many carriers available in the marketplace.

Get a few quotes before choosing the best one for you so you can better choose your annual limit, deductible, and reimbursement percentage.

Remember that this is a difficult decision with a big payoff: the ability to provide more extensive veterinary care to your beloved pet at a much more affordable price.

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