In Britain today, cats and dogs aren’t only an animal that we look after – they become part of the family and also provide vital companionship for many people.
During the winter, it’s important that your dog or cat is provided with the right foods so that they can get the nutrients they need. This doesn’t just apply to your pets; you also need to look after yourself by ensuring your diet is nutritionally beneficial during the winter months.
This guide, provided by natural dog food and cat food retailer Feedem, will help you determine how to make sure you and your dog or cat gets the right food and is ready to amble through the snow this winter.
Your dog’s diet depends on their outdoor activity
If your dog is less inclined to go for a walk in the snow, and more inclined to sit next to the fire on its bed, the you should try to give your dog a low-fat dry food diet and a dog-blanket at best. Or, if your dog prefers the outdoors, then you should provide your canine friend with between 10% to 90% more food depending on whether they also work outside.
During the winter months, there is some key points to consider:
The size of your dog makes a difference: In order for your dog to retain the subcutaneous fat that keeps them warm during the winter, you’ll need to feed them more than they would usually eat. Foods that are wet rather than dry are good for bigger dogs that require a greater fat content within their diet.
Your dog’s level of fitness: Vitamin supplements are an important aspect of your dog’s calorie intake, so it’s important to find dog foods that contain a high vitamin content. If your dog has experienced ill health, then foods high in vitamins will quickly restore them to good health and get them back on their winter walks. Alternatively, you could also give them complementary food like treats; they’re a good way of building your dog’s strength up, which will keep their immune system in good working order during the harshest or winters
Cats Need Meat
The reason why cats need a high quantity of meat in their diet is because they’re Obligatory Carnivores. Their genetic makeup means that in order to ensure their survival, cats must eat the muscle tissue of other animals in order for them to survive. The nutritional value of meat is pertinent within their diet because it helps to build up the strength of their immunity. Even though cats can eat fruits and vegetables, if they don’t have meat in their diet, their health will be significantly diminished, which could threaten their life during difficult conditions in the winter.
Meat proteins contain taurine, which is why cats require meat in their diet. Cats receive the bulk of their nutrients from taurine; premium cat foods will usually provide a named meat source that will provide your cat with the Taurine it needs. Working as a vital amino acid within their diet, this helps to keep cats fit and healthy – vitally important when the winter can be cruel to an animal and affect their normal behaviours.
Don’t Forget About Yourself
Sometimes when you’re constantly thinking about how to best look after your pets, you can regularly forget about your own health — not a good thing during the winter. This is usually the time of year when people can feel at their worst; with harsh winds, cold weather fronts, and dark nights, it’s easy to see why.
Like your pets, make sure that your vitamin intake is at its highest during the winter. Oranges contain 53mgs of vitamin C per every 100g of oranges. As well as fruits, green vegetables such as broccoli are a great source of protein, fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, iron and potassium. Vitamin K helps to control the binding of calcium ions for strong bones, and also contains protein prerequisites that regulate the condition of your blood.
During a season that can really grind you down, these foods are essential if you want to remain feeling yourself so that you can take your dog on that memorable snowy walk, or if you just want to let your cat explore. Avoid processed foods and eat as much fruit and vegetables as possible; nuts are also a good source of fat to ensure that you’re not slimming down too much during the winter months.
Sources:
http://www.1800petmeds.com/education/winter-feeding-tips-dogs-33.htm
http://www.pfma.org.uk/types-of-dog-food/
http://www.pfma.org.uk/market-data
http://www.pfma.org.uk/using-the-right-ingredients
http://www.naturalhub.com/natural_food_guide_fruit_vitamin_c.htm
https://authoritynutrition.com/foods/broccoli/
