Get the Dish on Proper Nutrition for New Pets

(Family Features) As families continue to cope with changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, many are taking advantage of more time at home by welcoming a new puppy or kitten to their households.

One possible reason for animal lovers looking to expand their households is the mental and physical health benefits from the human-animal bond. A library of studies shared by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute found pet ownership can provide a variety of benefits, including lowering blood pressure, reducing feelings of loneliness or stress and helping manage depression.

However, before welcoming a new pet, even seasoned pet owners may benefit from a refresher on proper care, especially when it comes to feeding and nutrition. Dogs and cats have unique nutritional requirements, which means their pet food recipes must be carefully formulated. Puppies and kittens need more of certain important nutrients such as protein, fat and key minerals to grow into healthy, strong adult animals.

If you’ve welcomed a new pet to the family, or plan to soon, learn how you can care for his or her special nutritional needs with this advice from the Pet Food Institute.

Identifying Life Stages
Food labeled as appropriate for puppies and kittens or pets of all life stages includes different levels of nutrients than food for only adult pets. For example, this food includes additional sources of energy, such as protein and calories, to support rapid growth and development.

Your veterinarian can help determine an appropriate time to transition your pet to adult food; usually when it is nearly full-grown. For kittens, that may be around 10-12 months. For puppies, the timing can vary depending on size with larger breeds taking up to two years to fully mature.

Understanding Food Labels
Pet food labels are full of information to help shoppers make informed decisions about their dog or cat’s food. Some key pieces of information include the intended life stage for the pet eating the food and a claim of complete and balanced nutrition, which confirms each serving provides the proper levels of more than 40 essential nutrients pets require. Pet food labels also include a guaranteed analysis, which identifies a minimum or maximum of at least four nutrients: protein, fat, fiber and moisture. State regulators, who read pet food labels for compliance, also review the package to ensure accuracy. In fact, pet food is one of the most highly regulated food products in the United States with oversight at both the state and federal levels.

Keeping Pets at a Healthy Weight
Pet obesity can lead to a range of health issues, such as joint damage, difficulty breathing, cancer and heart disease, which makes helping your pet maintain a healthy weight important. For example, as you spend time at home with your pet, consider how many treats are given throughout the day.

Treats can be useful tools to help reinforce good behavior, keep pets occupied, aid in training or show love. However, they should be fed in moderation, accounting for no more than 10% of a pet’s caloric intake. Pet food is formulated to provide dozens of essential nutrients that dogs and cats need in their diets, so avoid using treats in place of regular meals. Also know that sharing table scraps adds calories and many common human foods can be dangerous for animals.

Providing your pet with the right nutrition early in life can help ensure proper growth and long-term well-being. Find more advice to ensure your four-legged family member is getting the necessary nutrition at petfoodinstitute.org.

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SOURCE:
Pet Food Institute

4 Tips for Keeping Your Pet's Coat Healthy

(Family Features) Dogs and cats come in many shapes and sizes, and can have a range of different coats, from short-haired to long and smooth to curly or wire-haired.

While every pet is unique in looks and personality, a main responsibility for all pet parents is to make sure their furry friends are in good health. A pet’s coat is an indicator of overall health, so keeping a close eye on your pet’s snuggle-worthy appearance is one way to continually gauge the well-being of your dog or cat.

Consider these four tips to help keep your dog or cat’s coat healthy to ensure he looks and feels his best. For more details on bringing out your pet’s unique best, visit IAMS.com.

1. Routine Grooming – Check with your veterinarian for a recommendation on how often you should bathe your pet, based on his breed and coat, and stick to that schedule. When selecting shampoo for your dog or cat, pick a product that matches your pet’s hair and skin type. For example, some pets may require moisturizing products to combat itchy or flaky skin, and some may benefit from a shampoo that prevents fleas and ticks. After finding the product that works, get ready to enjoy snuggles with your clean and healthy pet.

2. Daily Brushing Ritual – Brushing your pet’s coat every day can offer a number of benefits. Beyond being a daily bonding moment, it also improves circulation, removes dead cells and makes hair shinier. Brushing also reduces the amount of excess hair your pet carries, which means less hair falling on your floor, rubbing off on your furniture and sticking to your clothes.

3. Proper Nutrition – Nutrients like protein, fat, vitamins and minerals play an important role in overall coat health for both dogs and cats. When deciding what to feed your pet, consider an option like IAMS dog or cat food that offers tailored nutrition for pets’ life stage, size and specific health needs. Then fill up your dog or cat’s food bowl with goodness and watch your pet shine.

4. Consult Your Vet – If your pet’s coat doesn’t seem to be at its best, talk to your veterinarian. In some cases, a lackluster coat could signal a deeper issue, such as itchy skin due to allergies. Your vet should be able to provide suggestions and treatments to help keep your pet’s coat healthy, shiny and snuggle-worthy.

 

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SOURCE:
IAMS

How to Train Your Cat

5 tips from a professional tiger trainer

(Family Features) If the thought of training your pet cat seems like a difficult feat, consider the daunting task of training one of nature’s biggest cats.

After welcoming two 4-year-old Sumatran tigers, Frances and Huntley, the keepers at Nashville Zoo are doing just that. The training program, which is sponsored by TEMPTATIONS™ Cat Treats, is on display for the public to learn about how these colossal cats are trained.

The trainers offer these tips and tricks from their experiences working with their tigers that you can use to train your cat at home. For more information on cat behavior, visit TemptationsTreats.com.

Start Smart
While your training might be inspired by the behaviors you’d like your cat to adopt or change, beginning your training by rewarding your pet’s existing good habits is often an easy way to reinforce behavior. For example, if your cat sits patiently for food, pair this with a treat and verbal reassurance to praise the behavior and encourage it in the future.

Identify Motivators
When beginning the training process, identify your cat’s likes and dislikes. Some cats are motivated by toys while most are motivated by food. When starting the training process, try out a few different treat flavors to identify what gets your cat’s attention. Treats such as TEMPTATIONS™ Cat Treats come in a wide variety of flavors, making it easy to find one that will make your cat come running. For cats with health or weight restrictions, utilize toys or tactile reinforcement like petting for motivation.

Be Consistent
To prevent confusion, remain consistent when rewarding behaviors and only give praise when your cat completes a trick or task. If you reward your cat for following a command halfway or missing a step, you’re not rewarding the behavior you’d like to see in the future.

Focus on Practicality
Cats are smart creatures and full of potential when it comes to training. Pinpointing practical habits that can serve you and your cat’s lifestyle in the future is a smart and achievable goal to tackle while your cat is young and his or her habits are malleable. For example, if you plan to travel, make crate training a priority. If your cat shows resistance with nail trimming and being held, focus your training on desensitization, which will allow you to more easily groom him or her or assess injuries later on.

Celebrate the Small Victories
Training your cat can be difficult, but it’s a great opportunity for bonding and relationship building. Have patience and reinforce your pet’s hard work by acknowledging his or her effort along the way and provide encouragement to keep him or her learning and advancing in training.

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SOURCE:
Temptations

5 Ways to Keep Your Cat Happy and Healthy

(Family Features) While cats can be quite independent animals, they still rely on their pet parents to maintain their well-being. It’s up to pet owners to provide the adequate care, nutrition and home environment to ensure their furry friends live long and healthy lives.

Consider these tips and visit temptationstreats.com and iams.com for further guidance on raising healthy and happy cats.

1. Designate a Special Spot – Make sure your cat has a space in the home where he can be unbothered and relax. This space can also be somewhere your cat can hide or snuggle up. Putting a cat tree with a lookout in a quiet spot can give your pet a perfect place for a catnap.

2. Provide a Healthy Diet – Diet is a vital part of your cat’s health and wellness, and it’s important to find a food that caters to your pet’s specific needs and preferences. Look for food that fits your cat’s needs like senior care, hairball control and oral care, so he receives the best nutrition at every life stage. For example, IAMS™ formulas provide wet and dry food options tailored to your pet’s age, activity level and dietary needs.

3. Regular Checkups – Cats are notoriously secretive about how they are feeling. Scheduling regular visits with your local veterinarian for vaccinations and checkups can ensure your pets are as healthy as they can be. Ask your vet how often you should schedule appointments, as every cat requires unique care.

4. Groom Regularly – While cats may not need regular baths, they do sometimes need a little extra TLC to look their best. Depending on breed and lifestyle, each cat requires a different grooming routine. Longhaired cats should be brushed regularly to keep their coats nice and shiny while indoor cats may need their nails trimmed more frequently to avoid scratching.

5. Playtime with Toys and Treats – Enrichment and bonding are key factors in a pet’s well-being. Providing stimuli, like toys or scratching surfaces, encourages your furry friend’s curiosity and natural behavior. Dedicate time each day to play and snuggle up with your cat to solidify your bond. A simple shake of abag of treats, such as TEMPTATIONS™ treats, can make your cat come running and signal it’s time to play.

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SOURCE:
Mars Petcare

5 Tips for Keeping Your Cat Happy and Healthy

(Family Features) While the weather may change from summer to fall, your relationship with your feline never goes out of season. Events on the calendar can seem to pile up as the year goes on, but don’t forget to go the extra mile for your pet and show him how much he means to you.

Whether the sun is shining, the leaves are changing colors or there is snow on the ground, these five tips can help you bond with your cat all year long and make sure he is feeling his best.

For more information on keeping your cat happy and healthy, visit cravepetfoods.com and greenies.com.

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1. Create Space to Play

Just like humans and dogs, cats have energy they need to expel throughout the day. Help your cat feel like a member of the family by giving him a dedicated space in the house where you can play together. It can also double as a place to keep his toys.

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2. Fuel Playtime with a High-Quality Diet

Even the cutest and cuddliest kitties share a connection with their ancestors, so to respect the animal inside, nourish your pet with his natural desires in mind. One purr-worthy option is CRAVE™ cat food, which is made with high-quality animal protein and no grains. The recipes provide the nutrients needed for a strong, lean body and the energy to chase – even if it’s just a toy around the house.

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3. Toys are a Cat’s Best Friends

Cats are curious by nature and almost always looking for something to get their paws on. Have a variety of toys on-hand, such as laser pointers, feather wands and stuffed mice, which can give your cat the chance to practice his pouncing skills. Not only is this a great form of exercise, but it also allows him to exert his instincts to chase.

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4. Keep Him Smiling

When considering your cat’s health, don’t forget about oral care. Dental treats such as GREENIES™ Dental Treats help freshen breath and clean your cat’s teeth, helping to keep bad breath from getting in the way of cuddles with your favorite feline.

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5. Spend Quality Time Together

Don’t let a busy life get in the way of spending quality time and building companionship with your cat. If your schedule is full, try checking off your to-do list with your cat by your side. Fold your laundry or do work in the same room so he knows you’re there. You can also squeeze in snuggle time as you wind down and watch television or read a book before bed.

SOURCE:
https://www.cravepetfoods.com/
https://www.greenies.com/

Keep Up with Your Cat’s Health

(Family Features) Despite the fact that cats are more prevalent as pets than dogs, only about one cat per every five dogs receives regular veterinary care. In fact, some research suggests that as many as 50 percent of cat owners don’t take their cats to the vet.

There are a number of factors that contribute to limited veterinary visits for cats. According to a survey by Royal Canin, two-thirds of cat owners simply believe cats have fewer health issues than dogs. However, according to the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), routine check-ups are vital for giving cats long, happy and healthy lives.

Cats age more rapidly than humans, and they are quite adept at hiding sickness and pain, making it difficult to know if there is something wrong that requires veterinary attention. Hidden diseases commonly go untreated for this reason, which is why the Take Your Cat to the Vet initiative was created to spread awareness about the importance of preventative feline veterinary care.

For example, up to one-third of cats over the age of 12 have some form of kidney disease. Managing the progression of the disease, if caught early, can be accomplished with a proper diagnosis and reduced-phosphorous diet. Your veterinarian may recommend an option like one of the Royal Canin Veterinary Diet® Renal Support formulas as part of a treatment program.

Obesity is also a common problem for cats that can lead to more severe health issues down the road. In fact, multiple studies indicate that more than half of the nation’s domestic cats are carrying more weight than they should. A veterinarian can help with dietary recommendations and other suggestions to help trim your cat’s waistline, along with screening for the onset of secondary complications.

Another common cat ailment is urinary stones, which can be extremely painful and cannot normally be detected without professional evaluation. Regular visits to the vet can help assess your cat’s risk for developing stones and determine nutritional changes that may help prevent a problem.

Vet visits are also an opportunity to let your veterinarian know about any behavior changes and implement preventive care measures, which can be more effective than reactive care once a problem is revealed.

However, the very act of getting to the vet can be traumatic for cat owners and cats alike. Repetition is likely to help alleviate those concerns as your cat becomes more accustomed to the process, helping to put you at ease as well. In honor of the Take Your Cat to the Vet initiative, consider these tips and tricks from the experts at Royal Canin and the AAFP to make your cat’s visits to the veterinarian easier:

1. Get your cat familiar with a carrier. Getting your cat into the carrier is often the most difficult part of getting him or her to the vet. Start by leaving the carrier out at all times and make it a safe place by placing food or a cozy towel inside. Using a secure, stable, hard-sided carrier that opens from the top and the front that can also be taken apart in the middle is best. When traveling, it’s also a good idea to place your cat in the carrier rear-first, cover the carrier with a blanket and avoid bumping into things while carrying it.

2. Make the vet visit a positive experience. It’s easy to imagine that vet visits can seem scary to a cat. Feeding your cat veterinary-approved treats from carrier to clinic can help create a positive connection with the trip and distract your pet from the busy waiting room or examination.

3. Take advantage of slow times at the clinic. The waiting room of an animal hospital can be loud and full of unfamiliar animals and smells, making it a chaotic and overwhelming environment. Ask if certain days or times are slower than others. Scheduling appointments at those times may help your cat feel less overwhelmed by a new environment.

4. Give your cat practice exams. In the examination room, your vet will give your cat a full examination. To make your cat comfortable with being touched in such a manner, consider giving him or her practice examinations at home and positively reward your pet for letting you look at and touch his or her stomach, feet, face and ears.

5. Talk to your vet. Your veterinarian is your best partner to help your cat feel comfortable inside and outside the clinic. Discuss with him or her other ideas to help make visits less stressful.

To learn more about the importance of taking your cat the vet, visit royalcanin.com/cat2vetday.

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SOURCE:
Royal Canin

4 Feline Summer Health and Safety Tips

(Family Features) Summer may be the perfect time for family trips and outdoor activities, but it’s also a great time to reset and make sure you’re keeping the whole family healthy, including your feline friend.

To live their best lives, cats need to feel healthy from the inside out, and much of that stems from what they eat. Help your cat stay active, healthy and safe during the summer months by following these tips from the experts at the IAMS™ brand.

1. Focus on Food – Cats are natural carnivores and need the proper amount of protein in their diets. One way to get that is with IAMS High Protein cat food, which is formulated with 84 percent of protein sourced from chicken and salmon. The high concentration of high-quality chicken and salmon helps cats maintain strong muscles and keeps them active.

Other key elements to look for in a high-quality dry cat food include:

• Optimal levels of fatty acids for a soft and shiny coat
• A fiber blend, including prebiotics and beet pulp, for healthy digestion
• A good mix of premium, high-quality ingredients to support healthy energy levels

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2. Prioritize Playtime – Though they tend to sleep a lot, especially in the heat, cats also require exercise. Playing a cat-and-mouse game with toys that encourage aerobic activity is one way to give your cat necessary exercise and create a fun bonding experience.

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3. Keep Hydrated – Cats need help to stay hydrated, especially in warmer weather. Make sure their water dish is always full and consider placing a few additional water dishes throughout the house. Whatever rooms your cat is drawn to or wherever the family spends quality time, have water readily available so your pet can easily quench his or her thirst and avoid dehydration. You can also incorporate wet cat food to their routine for added moisture in their diet.

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4. Create a Cool Space – When the weather is warm, your cat will likely seek out cool places in and around the house to lounge. Make sure he or she has plenty of shady places to lay and that those spots are free of clutter or obstacles. Cats are curious by nature, so tuck cables and cords away, limit the amount of free-standing, sharp or glass objects and keep anything with hazardous chemicals, such as cleaning supplies, locked away to help reduce the possibility of illness or injury.

For more information on establishing healthy habits for your feline friend, visit IAMS.com.

SOURCE:
IAMS

5 Health Tips for Your Feline Friend

(Family Features) It’s always a good time to pay attention to your family’s health and happiness, and that includes your feline friends, too. Regular exercise and wholesome nutritional choices can help ensure your cat is happy and healthy all year long.

These five tips can help keep your cat purring for years to come. For more information on keeping your cat happy and healthy, visit IAMS.com.

1. Create a Space for Your Cat – As most cat owners know, cats have energy they need to exert throughout the day. Create a space specifically for your cat that includes a cat tree and toys, which allows them to climb around, expel extra energy or use this space to do what cats do best, take a catnap.

2. Provide Healthy and Tasty Meals – Nutrition is a major player in the overall health and happiness of cats. They are natural carnivores and need the proper amount of protein in their diets. Providing your cat a diet with high-quality, animal-sourced protein, such as IAMS™ High Protein cat food, can help them maintain healthy vitality and fuel their carnivorous spirit.

3. Find the Perfect Toys – Cats are curious creatures and love being on the prowl. Make sure you have a variety of toys on-hand for your cat to play with, including laser pointers, stuffed mice and feather wands. These items will not only keep them busy, but they offer a great form of exercise to keep them active.

4. Give Them Some Love – Spending quality time with your furry friend can be as easy as allowing them to curl up with you on the couch at the end of a long day. Show some love by treating them to a nightly brushing, which can help maintain coat health and shininess.

5. Visit the Vet – One of the easiest, and often overlooked, tips for maintaining your feline friend’s health is taking them to the veterinarian at least once a year rather than simply waiting for signs of illness. Scheduling yearly checkups can help identify any problems that may go unnoticed.

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SOURCE:
IAMS