As the fourth most toxic food for dogs, chocolate can cause extreme distress in dogs. In severe cases, some dogs can even die.
All pets may shake and tremble from time to time, but there may be some instances where shaking may be cause for concern.
Onions can be toxic for dogs. While in small amounts they may only experience some mild indigestion, high portions of onions can have severe effects on your canine’s health and longevity.
We all occasionally experience coughing, and our pets are no exception. In fact, it’s just an instinctive reflex that helps sweep away anything blocking their air passages.
Talk to your vet to determine if the issue is medical, behavioral, or environmental
Read Time: 6 minutes
There are a number of different reasons why a cat might not use the litter box. Some of these are behavioral while others might be health-related. You’ll want to rule out health problems first before turning to the other possibilities.
Medical Conditions
There are various medical conditions that could cause your cat to avoid using the litter box. These include:
- Urinary tract infection
- Constipation
- Kidney stone
- Bladder stone
- Diabetes
- Cystitis
- Hyperthyroidism
- Cancer
- Arthritis
Take Your Cat to the Vet
If you notice that your cat isn’t using the litter box, the first thing you should do is take your cat to the vet. The vet can determine whether a medical condition is afflicting your pet or if the cause is something else. After you first notice that your cat isn’t using the litter box, keep an eye out for other symptoms. For example, if your cat isn’t relieving itself anywhere, then it may be constipated. If there’s bloody urine, it could a urinary tract infection.
Book an Appointment Right Away
You’ll want to have as much information as possible to give your vet, but don’t wait to make an appointment. Your vet has many tools at their disposal to diagnose your pet even if you don’t have time to observe for other symptoms. There’s bloodwork, fecal examination, urinalysis, or event ultrasounds and x-rays that a vet can use to determine what might be ailing your cat.
Behavioral Issues
It’s important to eliminate possible medical issues first. If your vet has thoroughly checked over your cat and found that there’s no underlying medical condition causing them to not use the litter box, then it’s time to look for behavioral or environmental problems. You’ll have to pay close attention to your cat’s overall behavior and where they’re spraying in order to discover whether there’s an environmental stressor affecting their behavior.
Stress
One possible cause of inappropriate elimination is stress. If your cat is stressed, they might:
- Spray items new to the home that bring in new scents
- Spray vertical or upright surfaces
- Spray windows
- Spray doors
- Spray hallways
- Spray stairways
- Defecating in the litterbox but spraying outside of it
- Spraying in the litter box sometimes but not always
Stress Caused by an Internal Issue
If your cat is spraying in hallways, stairways, and near interior doorways, then the cause of the stress may be inside the home. It could be something like remodeling, rearranging, a new baby, a new pet, or something else that has changed within the house.
Stress Cause by an External Issue
If your cat is spraying near windows and exterior doorways, then they may be detecting a threat outside of the home. Your cat could be sensing something outside that is causing them stress.
How to Treat Your Cat’s Stress
If you believe that your cat is stressed or suffering from anxiety, then you should speak to your vet. There may be anti-anxiety medication that you can give to your cat to help. Your vet may also be able to help you to determine the cause of the stress and to recommend techniques you can use to calm your cat. Cats often don’t like change, so it’s also possible that your cat will stop spraying on their own after they adjust to that change.
Environmental Issues
Cats can be picky about their litter boxes. If the environment isn’t to their liking, whether it’s the location, the type of litter, the number of litter boxes, or something else, then they might eliminate somewhere else.
Not Enough Litter Boxes
If you have more than one cat, it’s important to have enough litter boxes. You should have a number of litter boxes equal to one more than the number of cats you have. If you have three cats, then you’ll need four litter boxes. You’ll also need to make sure that the litter boxes aren’t placed close to one another. Ideally, they should be on separate floors when possible.
Litter Box Location
The litter box should be in as quiet and private a place as possible. They should also be located as far away from your cat’s food dish as you can manage. Additionally, the box shouldn’t be located somewhere dark or tight, like a closet. If the litter box isn’t in a location that your cat likes, then they may eliminate elsewhere. It’s also important to not move the litter box unless you have to because cats are creatures of habit.
Block off the Litter Box
If you have small children, you may want to block off access to the litter box in such a way that your cat can still reach it but that your children can’t. Unwanted intruders like children or other pets could disturb your cat’s sense of privacy and security with that litter box location, which could drive them to avoid using it.
Cleanliness
It’s vital to keep the litter box and the area around it clean. Cats tend to be fastidious about cleanliness and if they think their litter box isn’t clean enough, they won’t use it. How often you need to clean the litter box depends on the cat. Some cats require the litter box to be cleaned after every use while others are willing to use it a few times before you have to clean it.
Type of Litter
The type of litter also matters. Different litters have different textures and smells and if your doesn’t like it, they won’t use it. If you’ve recently changed the type of litter you buy for your cat, then that could be the cause of the inappropriate elimination. Try an unscented brand or a different material. Many cats prefer a sandier type of litter.
Type of Litter Box
Some cats don’t like a hood on their litter box, preferring it to be open. Others prefer the litter box to have a top. It’s also possible that your cat could be too big for the litter box. Older cats might have difficulty climbing into a litter box with sides that are too tall.
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Bring all documentation and medical records you have
Read Time: 4 minutes
Whether you’re bringing a new furry family member to your established vet or taking your pet to a new vet, there are certain things that you should bring with you to the first visit. These include documents like medical records and your own identification but also any information you have about your pet that could help your vet.
Your Pet’s Veterinary Records
If you’re switching to a new veterinarian for any reason, the most important thing to bring with you to the first visit is whatever medical records you have for your pet. The more detailed these records are, the better. Call your previous veterinarian to obtain them if necessary. If you can’t get the records, then anything you have is better than nothing at all.
Your Own Identification
If this is your first time with this particular vet, you’ll also need your own identification, like your driver’s license. Your vet will need to verify your identity and set up your profile with that vet’s office.
Your Pet’s Medications
If you have been giving your pet any medications, you should bring the medications themselves and also a list of how frequently and how much of each medication you give your pet. This is so your new vet can evaluate what you’re giving to your pet and whether the medication is expired or needs a dosage adjustment. Keep in mind that this includes vitamins, flea treatments, and other normal medications, not just prescriptions for an illness or health condition.
Your Pet’s Food and Treats
Nutrition plays a major role in your pet’s health. For this reason, your new vet will need to know exactly what and how much you’re feeding your pet. You don’t have to actually bring in the food, but take photos of the bag or write down what it is you buy.
Your Pet’s Favorite Treats or Food
Many pets are nervous at the vet. For this reason, go ahead and bring something that will help your pet to feel more comfortable. This could be your dog or cat’s favorite treat or a toy that will help them to relax and feel less nervous. If you don’t feed your pet prior to the appointment, your vet can feed them during the visit, which can help to calm your pet down and make the visit better.
Stool and Urine Samples
Vets test stool samples for parasites and will need one from within 24 hours of your first visit. If you are concerned about your pet having a urinary issue, you can also bring a urine sample for testing.
A List of Your Questions
If you have any concerns about your pet’s health or any questions for your new vet, write them down and bring that list with you to the appointment. Your vet will be happy to answer any questions you might have and the list can help make sure that you don’t forget anything.
Ask Your Vet What You Should Bring
While the above items are commonly helpful to bring to your first visit, every vet is different. It’s a good idea to call your vet ahead of time and ask what they’d like you to bring with you. That way, you’ll be absolutely certain that you’ve got everything you need.
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If your pet is exhibiting concerning symptoms or experiencing a medical emergency, please call our clinic at (407) 352-2579. We’ll help you through it.
A GPS tracker can tell you exactly where your pet is at all times
Read Time: 3 minutes
A beloved pet escaping or getting lost can be one of a pet owner’s worst nightmares. GPS tracking may be an option for you if you want to know where your furry family member is at all times. But before you invest your money in buying a GPS tracker, you should know both the benefits and the drawbacks of the technology and its use in finding lost pets.
The Pros of GPS Tracking a Pet
Pet owners looking for the peace of mind that comes from knowing where their pet is at any given moment may find GPS tracking to be a relief.
Peace of Mind
One of the most important benefits to a pet owner is the peace of mind a GPS tracker gives them. They can log onto an app or a website at any time and check that their pet is exactly where they should be. If for any reason your pet isn’t where you expect, the GPS tracker will let you know their exact location so they’re easy to track down.
Push Notifications Can Alert of an Escape
Many GPS trackers can send alerts via push notification on a mobile device to pet owners if their pet has escaped. The tracker can be set up to trigger an alert whenever a pet leaves the house, yard, or another designated area. This can help pet owners to more quickly find lost pets because they know the instant the pet has gone, reducing the risk of injuries or illness.
Pets Can Safely Explore Outdoors
If you’d prefer that your dog or cat have the ability to safely explore outdoors, a GPS tracker can help you to not worry while they do. This is useful for pet owners with outdoor cats and large backyards. You don’t have to worry if you lose sight of your pet because you’ll always know exactly where they are.
You Can Better Understand Your Pet
Tracking a pet with GPS can help pet owners better understand what their pet does all day. They’ll know their favorite spots and where they like to explore. This can also help you to understand how active your pet is whenever you’re not there so you know if they need more physical activity and exercise when you are.
Different Features to Choose from
Another advantage of GPS is that there are a lot of different brands out there, which means that you’ve got the freedom to shop around and choose one that fits both your budget and your needs in terms of features. Plus, there are a variety of ranges to choose from, for example, either a range of 25 miles or an unlimited range.
Usable on Multiple Pets
With many GPS tracking systems, you can monitor multiple pets on the same system. Each would need their own tracker, but they could be registered on the same system and could be watched from the same app.
Find a Lost Pet Faster
It’s important for pets to be microchipped and for their collars to have the owner’s contact information. However, with both of those options, you may have to just wait for someone to find your pet and call you. With a GPS tracker, you’ll have a location and can head right there so you don’t have to wait and worry.
Set up Boundaries
You can use a GPS tracker like an invisible fence as well as a tracker. Pet owners can program in boundaries and if the pet reaches those, it can vibrate, beep, or use LED lights to warn the pet that they’re approaching the boundary.
The Cons of GPS Tracking a Pet
Despite the numerous advantages of GPS tracking for pets, there are some disadvantages that pet owners should be aware of before investing in the technology.
GPS Trackers Can Be Expensive
A GPS tracker definitely isn’t within every pet owner’s budget. It can cost more than $100 for the tracking technology alone if you want a tracker with an unlimited range. On top of that, many trackers also have a subscription cost, which could also be up to $100 annually.
Difficulties with the Signal
GPS signals aren’t perfectly clear everywhere. This means that, depending on where you live, there might not be a strong enough signal for you to effectively track your pet using GPS.
Low Battery
GPS trackers are powered by batteries, which only last for so long. You’ll have to keep track of the battery’s strength constantly so that the one time you let the battery get low isn’t the time your pet gets lost.
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Help reunite a lost kitty with their family
Read Time: 5 minutes
Capture and Contain the Cat
If you’re able to do so safely, try to capture and contain the cat. If it’s a domestic cat that got out, it may be easier to capture than if it’s a stray. For a stray cat, you may need to contact the police or animal control.
Approach Cautiously
No matter how the cat is behaving, it’s important to approach it with caution. You never know when a sudden movement of yours could spook the cat or make it feel threatened. From a distance, it can be difficult to tell if it’s a feral cat, a stray, someone’s house cat that escaped, or an outdoor pet. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Speak Gently and Bribe with Food
Speaking in a friendly, gentle voice can help put the cat at ease. If the cat is hiding in a small space and is difficult to reach, you can try using food to coax it out into the open.
Confine in a Cat Carrier
If you are able to successfully capture the cat on your own, place it in a cat carrier or some other sort of secure container that has air holes. If the cat is stray or feral, it may dislike being confined, so it’s important that the container is secure or it may escape.
Call Animal Control
If the cat is behaving aggressively, call the authorities. Animal control can more safely catch a cat that is aggressive or running away. The more information you can provide about its exact location or its appearance, the easier it will be for the authorities to capture and contain the cat.
It’s important to not risk your own safety in order to catch the cat.
Take the Cat to a Vet
Once you have captured the cat, take it to a vet for a check-up. The vet can tell you if there are any health issues that need to be addressed.
Contact the Owner
It’s essential to try to contact the owner, if there is one, as soon as possible. A family may be missing a vital furry family member. If you’re able to reunite them, you’d be doing a good deed that will make the family and cat very happy.
Check for ID Tags
First, check around the cat’s neck for a collar. If it’s a pet, especially an outdoor pet, there may be an ID tag with an owner’s contact information. If there is an ID tag, you can contact the owner immediately to return the pet. If you’re unable to reach the owner, even with their contact information, you can try calling back a few hours later and either hold on to the cat until then or take it to a shelter.
Scan for a Microchip
If there is no ID tag, the next step is to get the cat scanned for a microchip. An animal shelter should be able to do the scan for you. You can either take the cat there yourself or call animal control or the police.
File a Found Report
If you’re not immediately able to get a hold of the owner of the cat, it’s important to file a report with the local animal shelter to inform them that you’ve found the cat. The owner may be contacting local shelters in an effort to find their pet. Especially if you’ve decided to hold onto the cat until you can get a hold of the owners, it’s important to leave a found report with your contact information so the owner can find you.
You can also make a listing on Facebook announcing that you’ve found the cat. There are specific pages dedicated to lost pets. If there’s one for your area, you can make an announcement online with a picture of the cat.
Take the Cat to an Animal Shelter
If you can’t get a hold of the owner or there is no ID tag on the cat, you should take the cat to the local animal shelter. The shelter can take care of the cat as well as scan for a microchip. Some animal shelters cannot take the cat to keep, however. Ask about this over the phone before you bring them in. The owner may stop by the shelter to look for their pet in the hopes that someone stopped by to trop it off or to file a found report.
What If the Cat Has No ID Tags?
If the cat has no ID tags, finding the owner is more difficult. If the cat’s behavior suggests that it is a pet, it’s important to make the effort to try to find the owner.
Take the Cat to an Animal Shelter
If you take the cat to an animal shelter, they should be able to scan for a microchip. If the cat has no microchip, the shelter may still have received a report from the owner about a missing cat and may be able to help find the owner. If no owner can be found, a shelter can look after the cat until they can get it adopted.
Post a Picture in the Shelter’s Database
Filing a report with the shelter and posting a picture of the found cat will help the owner find their cat. This will increase the chances that the cat is reunited with its rightful owner and family.
Post Fliers
You can also post fliers around your neighborhood and where you found the cat with pictures and your contact information. Also, try posting a found cat announcement online. You never know who may know the owner.
Look for Lost Cat Fliers
Check around your neighborhood, especially where you found the cat, for fliers. The owner may have posted fliers with a picture and their own contact information (and possibly a reward!).
Check Online
Look online to see if anyone has posted a notice that they’ve lost their cat. Social media platforms like Facebook may have pages where people can post lost or found reports. Craigslist can also be a good resource. The Internet has made it a lot easier to reunite lost pets with their owners and many strangers online may be willing to help.
How Can I Tell if the Cat Is Just an Outdoor Cat?
Some cats are outdoor cats. Their owners purposely let them roam and they return home regularly for food and to sleep. But how can you tell if the cat you found is an outdoor cat, if it’s a stray or feral, or if it’s an indoor cat that’s gotten out?
Look for ID Tags
First, check for ID tags. If the cat has identification, that rules out stray or feral.
Check the Cat’s Appearance
Look at the cat’s appearance. Any outdoor cat that regularly returns home would be clean and well-groomed. Feral cats are actually the same way – they know how to fend for and groom themselves and will look nicer. An indoor cat that has escaped may be thinner than normal or may look scruffy. Indoor cats aren’t used to hunting or otherwise fending for themselves.
Look for Nervous Behaviors
Is the cat skittish and nervous? If it’s an indoor cat that got out, it may be scared and anxious. Feral cats tend to be nervous around people and may run or be aggressive. Outdoor cats are often very friendly and may come up to you for petting. A stray cat could be either friendly or standoffish, depending on the cat’s personality.
All cats do tend to be wary of people, so you should observe the cat over time to see how it behaves. Owned cats do tend to be more trusting of people. Indoor cats that get outside may follow you anxiously or meow at you as if they need something from you.
Call the Owner
If you find a cat with an ID tag and you’re unsure if it’s supposed to be outside or not, call the owner. They can verify for you whether their cat is meant to be outside. If it’s an outdoor cat, then no harm was done and you’ll know for the future that that particular cat is supposed to be there. If it’s an indoor cat, then you’ve just helped reunited it with the owner.
Ask Around
The people who live in that area may know more about the cats that are there. Neighbors may recognize the cat and be able to tell you if it’s supposed to be outside or not, or if it’s stray.
What If There Is No Owner?
There may be no owner. The cat may have been abandoned or it may be a stray. If you have done your due diligence in trying to locate the owner and were unsuccessful, you have two options: keep the cat yourself or rehome the cat.
Keep the Cat
If you cannot find the owner and have forged a connection with the cat you found, you may decide to keep the cat. You’ll want to make sure that you can provide a good home for it and take care of it properly, though.
Take the Cat to a Vet
If you’re keeping the cat, the first step is to take it to the vet. You can establish a relationship with a vet early in your pet ownership and make sure that the cat is healthy. You can also get the cat spayed or neutered as well as get any shots or medication it might need.
Buy Food and Supplies
Next, stop by a pet store for food and supplies. If you’re a first-time cat owner, you’ll need a bed, food, toys, litter, a litter box, and treats. The employees can help you find what you need. Even if you already have cats or other pets, you may want to have some supplies specifically for the new cat.
Learn to Care for the Cat
If you’re new to owning a cat, it’s essential to do your research. Look online, ask your vet or the pet store employees for advice.
Find the Cat a Home
If you’re unable to take in the cat yourself, you’ll need to find it a new home.
Take the Cat to a Shelter
One option is to take the cat to a shelter. They may have more resources to care for the cat and to find it a new home. However, shelters can be over-crowded and some are unfortunately forced to put down animals that they are unable to rehome.
Rehome the Cat
Alternatively, you can try to find a new home for the cat yourself. Post fliers and ask around. You can also post online to find a new home for the cat.
Talk to your vet to ensure your pet gets all the vaccinations they need
Read Time: 5 minutes
Vaccinations are a major part of keeping your pet healthy and safe. Shots can help to prevent many diseases that could be harmful or even deadly to your pet. But what shots does your pet need to get and when?
Puppies and kittens can get different diseases and therefore have different vaccination schedules. These vaccinations also differ from what shots a dog or cat needs as an adult.
Puppy Vaccination Schedule
The following shots are those that puppies will need in the first 16 months of their lives. Puppies should receive their first vaccinations as early as 6 weeks old. Some vaccines may be considered optional because whether they’re needed may depend on your and your puppy’s lifestyles. Ask your vet if they recommend any of the optional vaccines.
6 to 8 Weeks Old
Required vaccinations include:
- Distemper
- Parvovirus
Optional vaccinations include:
- Bordetella
10 to 12 Weeks Old
Require vaccinations include:
- DHPP, which includes:
- Distemper
- Hepatitis
- Parainfluenza
- Parvovirus
Optional vaccinations include:
- Influenza
- Leptospirosis
- Bordetella
- Lyme disease
16 to 18 Weeks Old
Require vaccinations include:
- DHPP
- Rabies
Optional vaccinations include:
- Influenza
- Bordetella
- Lyme disease
- Leptospirosis
12 to 16 Months Old
Require vaccinations include:
- DHPP
- Rabies
Optional vaccinations include:
- Coronavirus
- Bordetella
- Lyme disease
- Leptospirosis
What Vaccines Do Adult Dogs Need?
Some of these vaccines need to be administered on a regular basis into adulthood. DHPP and rabies are required but the other vaccines are optional depending on your pet’s lifestyle. Make sure to speak with your vet regarding which vaccinations your dog needs to be safe and healthy.
- DHPP – every 1 to 2 years
- Rabies – every 1 to 3 years
- Influenza – every 1 to 2 years
- Bordetella – every 1 to 2 years
- Coronavirus – every 1 to 2 years
- Leptospirosis – every 1 to 2 years
- Lyme disease – every 1 to 2 years
Kitten Vaccination Schedule
Just like with puppies, there are vaccines that are required, sometimes by law, for kittens to get at certain times. Others are optional or recommended based on your cat’s lifestyle. Speak with your vet regarding what of the optional vaccinations you should get for your kitten.
6 to 8 Weeks Old
Require vaccinations include:
- FVRCP, which includes:
- Viral rhinotracheitis
- Calicivirus
- Panleukopenia
Optional vaccinations include:
- FeLV (feline leukemia)
10 to 12 Weeks Old
Require vaccinations include:
- FVRCP
Optional vaccinations include:
- FeLV
14 to 16 Weeks Old
Require vaccinations include:
- FVRCP
- Rabies
Optional vaccinations include:
- FeLV
1 Year Old
Require vaccinations include:
- FVRCP
- Rabies
Optional vaccinations include:
- FeLV
What Vaccines Do Adult Cats Need?
Adult cats should continue to receive the following vaccines:
- Rabies – every 1 to 3 years
- Panleukopenia – every 1 to 3 years
- Herpesvirus – every 1 to 3 years
- Calicivirus – every 1 to 3 years
- Bordetella – every year
How Much Do Vaccines Cost?
How much pet vaccines cost depends on the vaccine and your location but typically range between $25 and $100. There may be discounts available at animal shelters if you adopt your pet there.
Why Are Pet Vaccines Necessary
It’s vital for your pet’s health to stay up-to-date on all vaccines required or recommended by your vet. The diseases they protect your pets from could be harmful or even fatal. In some cases, like with the rabies vaccine, it’s required by law because the disease is dangerous and deadly to both animals and humans.
Are Pet Vaccinations Required by Law?
Not all vaccinations are legally required. The rabies vaccine, for example, is required by law. Others may be optional depending on your pet’s lifestyle and therefore wouldn’t be a legal obligation.
Concerned about your pet’s health?
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Book your appointment to get your pet the preventative care they need at (407) 352-2579. We’ll help keep your pet healthy.
Help your pet grow with the right amount of food
Read Time: 6 minutes
What you feed your puppy matters. If you feed him or her right during puppyhood, you’re setting your dog up for a life that’s both healthy and long. But it’s not just a matter of choosing the right foods. It’s also a matter of how much you should feed your puppy.
Knowing exactly how much depends on a lot of factors, including your puppy’s age and what breed it is. Larger breeds are going to need a lot more food than smaller ones.
Are you feeding a puppy or a kitten? Select the option below to jump to that section.
Feeding a Puppy
Puppies need special puppy food. Puppies are growing rapidly and need special nutrition that adult dogs don’t. But how much puppy food should you give your dog and when should you switch to adult food?
How Much to Feed a Puppy
How much you should feed your puppy depends on its age and its breed. Most feeding guides will measure how much you should feed your puppy based on how much it will weigh when it becomes an adult. For example, a puppy that will be 3-12 pounds when it reaches adulthood should be fed ½ to 1 cups of food when it’s 1½ to 3 months old.
Below are general recommendations for how much a puppy should eat based on its adult weight. However, you should still consult the instructions on the package before feeding your puppy. Different food, especially that specifically aimed at large or small breeds, may have different recommendations.
1 1/2 to 3 Months
| Adult weight | Cups |
|---|---|
| 3 to 12 pounds | 1/2 to 1 |
| 13 to 20 pounds | 1/2 to 1 1/4 |
| 21 to 50 pounds | 1/2 to 1 1/2 |
| 51 to 75 pounds | 5/8 2 1/3 |
| 75 to 100 pounds | 1 to 2 2/3 |
| 100+ pounds | 2 2/3 + 1/3 cup per ten pounds over 100 |
4 to 5 Months
| Adult weight | Cups |
|---|---|
| 3 to 12 pounds | 2/3 to 1 1/3 |
| 13 to 20 pounds | 1 1/8 to 2 |
| 21 to 50 pounds | 1 1/2 to 2 3/4 |
| 51 to 75 pounds | 1 1/2 to 4 |
| 75 to 100 pounds | 2 7/8 to 3 3/4 |
| 100+ pounds | 3 3/4 + 1/3 cup per ten pounds over 100 |
6 to 8 Months
| Adult weight | Cups |
|---|---|
| 3 to 12 pounds | 1/2 to 1 1/2 |
| 13 to 20 pounds | 3/4 to 1 1/3 |
| 21 to 50 pounds | 1 1/8 to 2 1/3 |
| 51 to 75 pounds | 1 1/2 to 3 3/4 |
| 75 to 100 pounds | 2 7/8 to 6 1/3 |
| 100+ pounds | 6 1/3 + 1/3 cup per ten pounds over 100 |
9 to 11 Months
| Adult weight | Cups |
|---|---|
| 3 to 12 pounds | Same as for an adult |
| 13 to 20 pounds | 1 to 1 1/2 |
| 21 to 50 pounds | 2 to 3 |
| 51 to 75 pounds | 2 1/2 to 4 3/4 |
| 75 to 100 pounds | 3 7/8 to 7 |
| 100+ pounds | 7 + 1/3 cup per ten pounds over 100 |
1 to 2 Years
| Adult weight | Cups |
|---|---|
| 3 to 12 pounds | Same as for an adult |
| 13 to 20 pounds | Same as for an adult |
| 21 to 50 pounds | 2 to 4 1/4 |
| 51 to 75 pounds | 2 5/8 to 6 1/4 |
| 75 to 100 pounds | 5 5/8 to 11 |
| 100+ pounds | 11 + 1/3 cup per ten pounds over 100 |
When to Feed a Puppy
When to feed your puppy depends on your schedule. If you divide the total amount of food your puppy should be eating each day into regular meals, then you can make up a meal schedule. It’s important to be consistent, so many dog owners feed their pets when they themselves eat – at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
To decrease the risk of accidents, make sure to feed your puppy earlier in the evenings so it has time to digest.
What to Feed a Puppy
Feeding your puppy the right food is just as important as how much you feed it. Special puppy food will provide your puppy with all of the right nutrients it needs to grow healthily. Be sure to check if there’s a specific type of food for the size or breed of your dog.
Dry or Wet Food
So long as your puppy is getting all of the nutrients it needs, it doesn’t matter whether you feed it wet or dry food. Your dog may prefer one over the other, so you can buy food according to your puppy’s preferences. You can also mix wet with dry food.
It’s a good idea to check with your veterinarian to make sure that, especially if you’re mixing wet and dry food together, you’re not feeding your puppy too many calories.
Puppy Treats
It’s hard to resist feeding a puppy treats all the time just for being adorable. But it’s important to not feed a puppy too many treats. Treats are an excellent reward, so you’ll definitely want to have some on hand for training. But keep in mind that the proper ratio of dog food to treats should be 90/10. 90 percent of your puppy’s daily calories should be in its regular dog food. Treats should only make up 10% of your puppy’s diet.
So, try to resist that cute puppy dog face unless you’re rewarding your puppy for a job well done in training!
When to Switch to Adult Dog Food
Smaller breeds can switch to adult food a bit earlier than large breeds, which may take longer to grow into adulthood. Usually, switching to adult dog food happens at about two years old, but because it depends on the breed and your puppy’s size, talk to your veterinarian about the best time to make the switch.
Feeding a Kitten
When you adopt a kitten from a shelter or a breeder, it’s most likely already old enough that you can start the kitten on regular kitten food immediately. But sometimes that’s not the case. If you’ve adopted a very young kitten that is without a mother, you’ll need to bottle-feed the kitten.
How Much Should I Feed a Kitten?
How much and what you should feed a kitten depends on its age and weight. It’s important to feed the kitten the right food so it can grow into a healthy adult. You want to feed the kitten enough so that it’s getting the nutrients it needs, but you also don’t want to feed it too much, which could cause too much weight gain.
Bottle-Feeding a Kitten
Kittens that are less than eight weeks old will need to be bottle-fed. If you’ve rescued a very young kitten, you’ll need to learn this essential skill until the kitten is old enough for solid food.
Supplies
You’ll need a special bottle from a pet supply store for a kitten. You may have to cut a hold in the bottle’s nipple yourself – make sure it’s just big enough that formula can drip through it. It shouldn’t be flowing out of the bottle.
What to Formula Feed a Kitten
Kittens can’t just drink the milk from your fridge. You’ll need a special kitten formula from a pet supply store. Any other milk could be dangerous for the kitten, even fatal. Kitten formula will have all of the nutrients the kitten needs. Make sure to follow all instructions on the package of kitten formula so you prepare it correctly.
How to Feed a Kitten Formula
First, make sure the kitten is ready to eat by putting a drop of formula on its tongue. If it swallows, then that’s a good sign that it’s ready to eat. If a kitten doesn’t have a stable temperature or isn’t able to swallow, you shouldn’t proceed with feeding it.
To properly bottle-feed a kitten, lay it down on its stomach, never on its back. Make sure to support its head with your non-dominant hand (your dominant hand will be needed to hold the bottle). Be very gentle when you place the bottle into the kitten’s mouth – it should roll its tongue into the shape of a U and then start to swallow, but be patient if your kitten doesn’t get the hang of things right away!
If your kitten is extremely young and the bottle seems too big, you can try using a syringe for feeding at first.
How Much Formula to Feed a Kitten
It’s important to feed your kitten the right amount of its size and weight. The younger the kitten, the smaller and more frequent the feedings.
| Kitten’s age and weight | Formula (in ml) |
|---|---|
| 0 to 1 week (50 to 150 grams) | 2 to 6 ml every 2 hours |
| 1 to 2 weeks (150 to 250 grams) | 6 to 10 ml every 2 to 3 hours |
| 2 to 3 weeks (250 to 350 grams) | 10 to 14 ml every 3 to 4 hours |
| 3 to 4 weeks (350 to 450 grams) | 14 to 18 ml every 4 to 5 hours |
| 4 to 5 weeks (450 to 550 grams) | 18 to 22 ml every 5 to 6 hours |
| 5 to 8 weeks (550 to 850 grams) | Weaning (every 6 hours) |
Kitten Food
Once a kitten is 5 to 8 weeks old, you should be weaning it off of formula and bottle feeding. Five weeks is when the kitten’s premolars come in, which indicates that they’re ready for more solid food. Gradually wean until the kitten is eating entirely solid food.
What to Feed a Kitten
It’s recommended that you feed your kitten specially formulated kitten food until it’s a year old. Kitten food will have all of the extra protein and other vitamins that growing kittens need. Be careful in buying food that says that it is appropriate for both adult cats and kittens. Cats and kittens have very different nutritional needs, so it’s likely that it won’t have enough of what your kitten needs (or too much of what an adult cat needs).
Wet vs. Dry Food
Kittens should be eating a higher proportion of wet food. Their teeth aren’t very strong yet, so they often can’t eat dry food like an adult cat can. You can feed your kitten a mix of the two, but a kitten will require more wet food at first in order to get all of the nutrients that it needs.
Kitten Treats
It’s totally fine to feed your kitten treats, especially if they’re being used to reward the kitten for doing something well, like using the litter box. It’s important, however, to make sure that treats don’t exceed more than 10% of your kitten’s daily caloric intake.
How Much to Feed a Kitten
The amount of food that should be given to a kitten each meal depends on the type of food. Check the packaging for instructions on daily or meal portions. Be careful not to overfeed your kitten – it’s much easier to prevent obesity in the first place than it is to put your cat on a diet later on.
When to Feed a Kitten
Kittens are snackers. They like to eat at least up to four times a day. They also need a lot of calories because they’re growing rapidly – doubling or even tripling in weight. They also have up to triple the energy levels of an adult cat.
If you’re feeding a kitten only wet food, then it’ll need to eat four times a day. If you’re mixing wet food with some dry food, then twice daily may be sufficient. Another option is to free-feed your kitten until it’s between four and six months old, at which point you can switch to scheduled mealtimes.
When to Switch to Adult Cat Food
Unless your kitten is of a larger breed, like a Maine Coon, which reaches maturity at around eighteen months, kittens can generally switch to adult cat food at around a year old. If you’re unsure, consult with your vet to make sure you’re feeding your cat the right food.
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