Dog and cat food: the five most common mistakes (cross-border guide)

Dog and cat eating from their bowls in a clean, well-lit kitchen

Overly large portions, dirty bowls or leftovers from the table - here's what not to do to keep these pets healthy

Context

In short

  • Too large portions can cause overweight in pets, with health consequences and high veterinary costs
  • Dirty bowls promote the growth of bacteria and germs, increasing the risk of infectious diseases
  • Changing diets must take place gradually to avoid digestive problems, with a transition plan of 7-14 days
  • Wet food is more suitable for cats who drink little, but must be balanced with dry food for complete nutrition
  • Kitchen leftovers can be dangerous for pets, with particular attention to toxic ingredients such as garlic, onion, chocolate and alcohol

Key facts

  • What: Common mistakes in pet food
  • When: Always
  • Where: In every home with pets
  • Who: Annette Liesegang, animal nutrition expert Too large portions, dirty bowls or leftovers from the table: in everyday life, when you have pets, it is easy to make mistakes. However, what seems harmless can have unpleasant or even dangerous consequences for dogs and cats. What should special attention be paid to with regard to food, hygiene and water? And what leftovers can actually end up in the bowl? SRF asked Annette Liesegang, an animal nutrition expert. #

Operational details

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Dog and cat food: the five most common mistakes

The most common problem is that people give too much food and animals get fat. Liesegang recommends dosing the food with a scale and weighing the animal regularly. Those who have a sterilized animal in the house should know that, due to hormonal changes, energy needs often decrease. There are therefore specific types of food marked with the term "sterilised", which have a lower energy content. We must also pay attention to snacks: the rewards are important for training, but they are also real calorie bombs. This energy must be taken into account in the daily ration. 📊 Concrete example : A 10 kg dog with an energy requirement of 200 kcal per day, could have a ration of 200 g of dry food. If you add snacks such as oxycodone (about 40 kcal per 10 g), the total ration could exceed 300 kcal, causing you to be overweight. #

Key points

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Frequently Asked Questions
Why can giving my pets too much food be dangerous?
Giving too much portion of food can cause pets to be overweight, which can lead to health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. Annette Liesegang, an animal nutrition expert, recommends dosing food with a scale and weighing the pet regularly to avoid these problems.
How can I prevent germs from growing in my pets' food and water bowls?
To prevent germs from growing in food and water bowls, it is important to wash the bowls regularly with warm water and a brush. Annette Liesegang, an animal nutrition expert, suggests changing the water every day and avoiding using the same water for drinking and washing the bowls.
How can I gradually change my pets' diet without causing digestive problems?
To gradually change my pets' diet without causing digestive problems, it is important to mix the new food with something they like and then gradually reduce the amount. Annette Liesegang, an animal nutrition expert, suggests adding a little hot low-salt broth or a drop of cream to the food.

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