When feeding your baby pet, you need to determine on what to feed them and how much to feed them. Making sure that they are well fed and that they are getting enough nutrients that they need are important to ensure that they are growing up very well. Here are some guide to help you feed them properly.
Kittens
Kittens grow so quickly during their first few months so they have different nutritional needs compared to cats. Kittens’ growth phase lasts for 12 months which means that they should be given only kitten foods until that time. During the first few weeks of kittens, they can only get the nutrition they need from milk, either from their mother or from kitten milk replacement formula. If you are using milk replacement formula, you should give it to them every three hours round the clock until their third week. When your kitten is over four weeks old, you can start to switch from feeding her milk to solid foods gradually. You can mix some solid foods with the milk replacement to help them with the transition.
Signs that your kitten is ready to eat solid foods are when they begin to bite their mother’s nipple or the nipple of the bottle that you use to feed her. When you notice this, begin introducing solid foods to her diet. Use only grain free kitten food to ensure that it is allergy free since some kittens are allergic to protein from grains. Around their seventh week, your kittens are most likely to be ready to eat only solid foods. Make sure that solid foods and water are available at all times. Always replace foods and water with fresh ones at least once a day.
Puppies
Like kittens, puppies grow a lot faster during their first few weeks. Puppies need more calcium, protein and calories than adult dog so it is important to feed them foods that are made only for puppies. Puppies should only be given solid foods until their fourth week. During your puppy’s first four weeks, they should only be fed from their mother’s milk as it provides them enough nutrients that they need to grow and be healthy. If your puppy is over four weeks, you can try introducing him to solid foods. You can soak the dry dog food in water to add texture and help him with the transition.
When choosing dog food, make sure that the first or main ingredient that is listed is a meat protein like chicken or meat. Look for a puppy grain free food thatis good for your puppy’s digestion. Give your puppy three meals a day until 6 months. When feeding your puppy, try to stick with the type of food that you give because food changes may upset their stomach or give them diarrhea. When they are over 6 months, you can feed them only two times a day. Make sure that fresh water is available at all times.Having a baby pet in your home can be a lot of fun but be sure that you are taking care of them properly and feeding them with the right kind and amount of food.