Learn to Interpret The Label On Your Cat Food Says Rockwall Veterinary Hospital

Thinking of changing your cat food? Before you grab the cheapest or most generic brand you can find, keep in mind that your cat has certain nutritional needs that some cat foods aren’t going to meet. Cheaper brands tend to use inferior meat, adding things like fructose to try to make the food taste better to the cat. To make sure you’re using a brand that pays at least some attention to cat nutrition, look for certain things on the label. And when you switch, feed the new food to the cat very carefully.

One important thing to look for on pet food labels is a statement from the Association of American Feed Control Officials, or AAFCO. If you see this statement, it means the food has passed strict tests.

You also want an animal protein at the top of the ingredient list, or at most, in second place. This means things like chicken or beef, and not by-products. The “life stage” of the cat should also be on the label, meaning kitten, adult or senior. The “dry weight protein” on the cat nutrition description should be twenty-six percent for an adult cat, and more for a kitten.

A change in cat food needs to be done gradually, because a sudden change can cause digestive upsets. And you may feel you need to decide between canned food and kibble, rather than using both. Some people say kibble is easier, less messy and certainly less odorous, while others advocate canned pet food because it contains more water and keeps the cat better hydrated. But for variety, why not alternate or provide a little of both?

And of course there must be treats, especially if you get those with tartar or hair ball control. When cats eat those, they will help remove a little bit of the plaque that may build up on their teeth, and of course cut down on those nasty, up-chucked hair balls. By no means, though, should you resort to human food as treats, because you don’t know when something in the food may be poisonous to your cat. The cat food you buy that is prepared especially for your cat will be sufficient nourishment, and enough to keep your cat healthy.

Rockwall Veterinary Hospital Gives Reasons To Think About Getting A Memory Foam Bed For Your Dog

If your dog has arthritis, or is aging and getting less spry, then one of the best dog beds to buy might just be a memory foam bed. Memory foam in human beds molds around the person, giving total support to each part of their body. The tiny polyurethane cells then return to their original shape when the person gets up and the cells get cooler. This type of bed is used to help people with arthritis or with spine or hip injuries, so manufacturers of pet supplies eventually realized that this type of pet bed might provide the same benefits for dogs with such problems.

Memory foam beds might be the best dog beds for large dogs in particular. The dogs might need extra support for a weight problem. But larger breeds are also prone to hip dysplasia, a disease that degenerates the joints until the hips may not fit their sockets properly. The muscles around the rump become weak, and the dog can suffer pain and difficulty with walking or lying comfortably. A memory foam bed could serve as an orthopedic dog bed, providing support for the joints and relief for aching muscles, whether caused by dysplasia or from being overweight.

Many people provide heated beds for their dogs with joint issues, however it’s likely that memory foam is equally advantageous. One benefit of memory foam is its breathability. This means that it holds in warmth during the cold seasons, yet is cooler in the summer when overheating might otherwise be a concern.

The extra wintertime heat of memory foam is what may well make it the best material for a dog suffering from an arthritic condition, since not only does it retain the animal’s body heat when it’s required, but it also supplies protection against floor temperatures which may become a little bit too chilly at nighttime.

Keep in mind that even if these small memory foam mattresses are the best dog beds when it comes to support and comfort, you’d still have to guard against an over enthusiastic chewer. You’d need a sturdy cover to put over the mattress to keep the dog from chewing on the polyurethane. But memory foam can help provide excellent orthopedic dog beds for older dogs or those with arthritis or other joint problems. It might be worth going that extra mile if it can help your dog sleep more comfortably.

Dogs, like any pets, come with responsibilities. You have to provide your dog with the necessities such as food, water and a dog bed. Dog beds can be found in many places, and in many varieties, from a memory foam dog bed to a water bed. If you want to start your search, click here to find out more about what to look for in a dogs bed.