Posts tagged Puppy

“Why have some pet puppy food (or cat food) and others not? Should not I give, my new puppy – puppy food?”

Before I answer this question – do I need to share a little pet food story. Back in the early days of commercial pet food, veterinarians noticed that when puppies were the same commercial food that the adult dog ate fed – they do not grow and thrive as they should. At that time, commercial dog food and cat food containing very little meat quality – the protein came mostly from the diet contained grains. It was found that puppies and kittens need a higher protein diet to develop properly. This change was important, but the bad news is that the protein was not required to come from meat sources – most came from poor quality grain sources. The new requirements are only a higher percentage of protein for a growing food – a puppy food or kitten food – there was no indication of where the protein is (still holds true today, was required).

Today AAFCO has set standards for food puppy to a minimum of 22% protein (Adult dog food at least 18% protein), standards for kitten must be at least 30% protein (adult cats are minimally 26% protein). Besides a few other very minor differences – the amount of protein is the only difference between an adult dog food or cat food, a adult, a puppy or kitten food to food.

So, to answer the above question – you can feed a puppy or kitten food, but not to have if you are feeding the right food! Remember, protein other than a percentage, there are no significant differences in an adult pet kitten or puppy food.

Many pet food lines have protein ratio above the minimum requirements for puppies and kittens. Some pet food formulators have found in their research that 18% protein for adult dogs and 26% protein for adult cats is not optimal – so that they formulate their foods with a higher protein content than the minimum required. In other words – many adult foods meet the same nutritional needs for puppies and kittens, although they are not specifically designated as a puppy food or cat food. As an example … ABC Chicken & Rice Puppy Food has a protein content of 23% and ABC Chicken Kitten Food has a protein content of 32% – but XYZ Chicken & Rice dog food has a protein content of 25% and XYZ Chicken Cat Food as a protein content of 35%. Both brands ABC and XYZ brands meet the required protein content for puppy or kitten food and adult dog and cat food for adults. For example, a puppy owner or owners of the kitten’s feeding her new baby of the XYZ Pet Food – although not specifically labeled for puppies or kittens.

Before I go further – I have to mention a little of canned pet food. ANY canned or pouch pet food (wet food contains a) at least 70% to 85% moisture. Protein percentages in canned pet foods vary from 7% to 11% – far below the minimum requirements for adult dogs and cats, like kittens and puppies. Pet owners do not just want food in cans or bags, food for adult dogs and cats or puppies and kittens. You just do not have the necessary nutrition. If you want a canned food processing, it is a quality dry food. Perhaps soft kibble for breakfast and dinner.

OK, back to puppies and kittens food food … a frequently asked question I hear on this subject is … “Is it ok for my adult dog (or cat) to eat, a food that has such a high protein content?” Many pet owners – after hearing my explanation of puppies and kittens food food will be about feeding an adult dog or cat a pet food that has a higher percentage of that protein. The best way I can just these concerns from parts of the words of many experts, pet food. Like a dog or cat goes from a puppy or kitten, a young adult, a mature adult, a big shot – their bodies are constantly producing new cells, new fabrics and new muscle – the whole process feeds on protein. So the pet continued high quality source of protein throughout the entire life cycle must. (There are exceptions for older animals and pets with diseases – this discussion is only for healthy animals – ask your veterinarian if you have questions.) Science – not speculation – has found that a higher protein content benefits young dogs and cats as well as adult animals. I have several dogs and cats in Petsumer report that has protein content as high as 50% rated! I am not so confident that 50% of protein in a dog food or cat food is ideal for pets (more for a working dog – example is a working Cattle Dog tends a flock) – the point is that higher protein level for pets is because outside, and not all of them are to be characterized as a puppy food or kitten food.

The thing that most pet owners choose a puppy or kitten food food does is marketing. The television commercials, the adorable puppies and kittens show indication of such food ‘, meeting the specific needs, “or” specially formulated “or” Extra Nutrition’ or ‘developed to meet the higher energy needs, “and so on pet owners have fixed beliefs lured that their puppy or kitten has a puppy or kitten has to eat food. The cute faces along with the expertly researched tag lines – have helped increase the puppy and kitten food, food business operators in phenomenal numbers. Part of the marketing strategy is to get to puppy owners in a certain emotional attachment to the manufacturers by a puppy or kitten food addictive. If you start with ABC puppy food – Target’s marketing for you to stay loyal to that company later with ABC Adult dog food. The pet food manufacturers have been so successful at this marketing technique – some manufacturers, that the continuation of quality pet food to make (no specific puppy food or kitten) were forced to leave their food in a puppy or kitten package format.

I am not saying that puppies and kittens foods are bad foods – it is still out on, ingredients in pet food. What I am saying is that it is not necessary to feed a puppy or a specific puppy food or kitten food kitten. As long as one them with a quality pet food that the protein they need – you are just in the sections.

Always, always, always – consult your veterinarian.

And one more bit of information quickly – I wish I could tell you that if you find a good puppy food or cat food, with quality human grade U.S. ingredients, and added health bonuses such as chelation or proteinated minerals and probiotics – that you stick with the same manufacturer for your adult food and treats … but that is not always the case. Actually it is exactly the opposite. From the review of many lines of pet food and pet treats from a manufacturer for Petsumer report I’ve found that many manufacturers pet food for pets, some of which have quality human grade ingredients, and then their pets are treated close to junk food to make. While others may have one or two varieties of pet food that are good, and have several varieties that I would never recommend to feed a pet owner. It’s just not that simple. You have to look at the ingredients, ask questions, and view of the guaranteed analysis, and best before date on everything.

I wish you and your pet the best.