Puppy and Kitten Nutrition: Essential Tips and Guidelines

In this episode of the Pet Nutrition Show, hosts Amanda and Dr. Anna Sutton discuss the dietary needs of puppies and kittens, including the risks of giving calcium supplements, differences in growth rates and nutritional requirements between small and large breeds, and the importance of high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals.

They also touch on the challenges of home feeding versus commercial diets, and suggest supplementing with omega-3s and antioxidants. Dr. Anna provides a practical food hack using baby food to introduce pets to new flavours and textures.

00:00 Welcome to the Pet Nutrition Show

00:28 Pet Q&A: Can I Give My Puppy a Calcium Supplement?

01:44 Understanding Puppy and Kitten Growth Rates

04:45 Nutritional Needs of Puppies and Kittens

10:33 Breed-Specific Nutrition: Fact or Fiction?

16:35 Commercial vs. Homemade Diets

18:21 Home Food Hacks: Treats for Puppies and Kittens

FEED GUIDE NOTES:

1. Understanding Growth Needs: Puppies grow rapidly, especially in the first six months. Their nutritional needs are higher per kilogram of body weight compared to adult dogs. Actually, they need about 3 x their RER in the first 4 months and then around 2 x their RER between 4-6 months - so huge!
2. Caloric Requirements:: Rule of thumb method

• Small Breed Puppies: Higher metabolic rate, requiring about 110-130 calories per kg per day.
• Medium Breed Puppies: Moderate metabolic rate, requiring about 90-110 calories per kg per day.
• Large Breed Puppies: Lower metabolic rate per pound, requiring about 65-90 calories per kg per day.

1. Adjusting Based on Activity and Growth: Monitor your puppy’s body condition and weight against the growth charts for their breed and adjust the food intake as needed. Puppies should have a visible waist when viewed from above and a tucked-up belly. Adjust portions if they seem to be gaining too much weight or not growing as expected.
2. Frequency of Feeding:

• Under 4 months: 4 meals per day.
• 4-6 months: 3 meals per day.
• Over 6 months: 2 meals per day.

1. Caloric Requirements:

• Kittens typically require about 110 -130 calories per kg of body weight per day ( divide by 2 for every 1/2 kg)

1. Adjusting Based on Activity and Growth: just like dogs, monitor the kitten’s body condition and adjust food intake accordingly. Kittens should be lean but not too thin, with a visible waist and a smooth, rounded tummy. Adjust feeding portions if the kitten appears too thin or is gaining weight too quickly.
2. Frequency of Feeding:

• Under 6 months: 3-4 meals per day.
• 6-12 months: 2-3 meals per day.
• Over 12 months: Transition to adult feeding schedule, typically 2 meals per day.

Join us in future episodes of the Pet Nutrition Show as we dig deeper into topics like the ideal protein content for pets, the importance of gut health, and the role of pet food in waste management. Let's create a sustainable and healthy future for our pets and the environment.

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