When you take your Dog or cat to the vet, they will ask you questions about what you’re feeding your pets. Questions like, “How much food do they eat every day?”, “What do they eat?”, “Do they get any human food?” and “Do they get cat or dog treats? Vets ask this because they want to keep track of your pet’s weight and muscle status. Why is a vet so concerned about the food your pets are consuming?

For many reasons! Too many treats leads to weight gain. Some table scraps are not healthy for your pets. Sometimes giving too much food to your pet can lead to weight gain. If a pet loses or gains weight too quickly, or if muscles get smaller, this might mean that your pet is sick. If your pet gains too much weight, it can lead to illness- and if your pet loses weight too quickly, that could also be a sign that your pet is getting sick!

Table Scraps

It might be tempting to think that little table scraps don’t have that big of an impact on our pets, but it does! Did you know that 1 bag of popcorn for a 25kg dog would be equivalent to an average adult consuming 3 bags of popcorn? And one 5oz piece of cheese for a 5lb cat would be equivalent to 2 cheeseburgers for the average adult?

While it is safe to share rice, watermelon, carrots, bananas, cucumbers and peanut butter with our pets, it is not safe to share candies or gum, onions, garlic, chocolates, or grapes.

Keep in mind that dogs and cats have different dietary requirements. Dogs are omnivores (which means that they are animals that eat both plants and meat) and cats are carnivores (which means they only eat meat).

Veterinarians play a vital role in supporting the health and well-being of our pets, especially when it comes to their nutritional needs. By working with a vet, pet owners can ensure their animals are receiving the proper diet for their age, breed, and health status. It’s also important to remember that some foods can be harmful to pets, so avoiding certain ingredients and human foods helps keep them safe. Lastly, dogs and cats have different dietary requirements, and feeding them the right type of food for their species is key to keeping them healthy and thriving.