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Selecting Different Pet Food, Treats and Toys for Different Pet Breeds.

Pet Food

Importance of selecting the right pet food

"Most dog sizes and breeds can be fed the same diet, although the amount fed should be tailored to each dog's metabolism and activity to avoid obesity." Your dog uses nutrients in dog food as a source of energy and to help him grow
Each pet is unique and eating well is the main secret for each pet to have good quality of life, longevity and healthy life. Finding the best pet food with high-quality ingredients is the key to providing your loving pet with high-quality life. But it is hard to find the right one especially when the pet food market is overly loaded with many varieties of pet products, consumers can easily get overwhelmed.
When looking for pet food, keep in mind your pet's weight, size, age and bread of the pet.

Small Breed Dog Food:

Small dogs need more to be considered in their diet than just smaller-bite-sized pieces of kibble. They have higher energy levels than bigger dogs and generally faster rates of metabolism.

  • Smaller pieces of kibble are recommended, as they're easier to chew and less of a choking hazard.
  • When looking at ingredients, choose a food with quality meat protein, such as beef, chicken
  • Fat is important for a healthy skin and coat and energy supply, so make sure the listed ingredients include fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6
  • Small dogs also require some grains in their diet as puppies, as their glucose levels rise and fall rapidly, and grains (which are slow to digest) help keep glucose levels stabilized

Recommendations for small breed dog foods to get you started:

  • WholeHearted Grain Free Small Breed Adult Chicken and Pea Recipe Dry Dog Food
  • Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Mini Adult Dry Dog Food
  • Hill's Science Diet Advanced Fitness Small Bites Adult Dry Dog Food
  • Hill's Science Diet Active Longevity Small Bites Senior Dry Dog Food
  • Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Small Breed Health Recipe Dry Dog Food

Medium Breed Dog Food:

Medium, or mid-size, breed dogs are among the most common canine companions in the U.S. today. This is mainly due to the wide range in weight standards applied to them; adult dogs between 20-50 pounds are defined as “mid-size”. Because of the large weight bracket, some dogs normally considered small or large breed can fall into the medium category, especially when they're a mixed breed. These can include beagles, basset hounds, and even some husky and pug breeds, depending on their individual weight.

Recommendations for small breed dog foods to get you started:

  • WholeHearted Grain Free All Life Stages Beef & Pea Formula Dry Dog Food, 25 lbs bag .
  • Merrick Grain Free Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food, 25 lbs.bag
  • CANIDAE Grain Free PURE Sea with Fresh Salmon Dry Dog Food, 24 lbs. bag
  • Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Roasted Bison & Venison Dry Dog Food, 30 lbs. bag
  • Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Fish Dog Food, 26 lbs. bag

 Large Breed Dog Food:

A common challenge faced by pet parents of larger breed pups is the risk of overfeeding. Bigger dogs grow at a much faster rate than their smaller counterparts, with some weighing in at over 100 pounds in under a year. Having such a fast rate of growth makes them more susceptible to certain risks that smaller breeds don't have to worry about. These can include deficiencies in their nutritional and caloric intake, meaning their diets need to be closely monitored.

Recommended large breed dog food:

  • Blue Buffalo Blue Life Protection Formula Adult Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 30 lbs.bag
  • Blue Buffalo Blue Wilderness Large Breed Adult Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food, 24 lbs.bag
  • Purina Pro Plan Focus Large Breed Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Puppy Food, 34 lbs.bag
  • Nutro Wholesome Essentials Farm-Raised Chicken, Brown Rice & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Large Breed Senior Dog Food, 30 lbs.bag
  • WholeHearted Grain Free Large Breed Adult Chicken and Pea Recipe Dry Dog Food, 40 lbs.bag

What to look for when buying a pet food?

No matter what breed of dog you have, you've got a lot of choices to meet your pet's nutritional needs. Some dog food brands are made for specific breeds. You'll also find dog food based on the age, size, or energy level of your dog. Your options include puppy to senior formulas, food for small to extra-large dogs, and food for high to low activity levels.
Protein: provides energy and is essential for growth. Also, transport of nutrients and oxygen delivery.
Amino Acids: build and repair tissues, help maintain healthy skin and coat. Also, support the immune system.
Fatty Acids: maintain healthy skin and coat, and are essential for joint health and a healthy immune system. Fatty acid such as Omega 3 and Omega 6.
Vitamins and Minerals: to ensure that the pet's nutrient requirements are met.
Calories per cup: depending on the size, age and activity level it is good to determine the amount of calories you pet will require.
Free from Artificial Preservatives
First three ingredients in the formula

What to consider before buying?
Your schedule: Feeding frozen raw food, for instance, takes a bit of planning. Kibble might be a good option in that case.
Income: Don’t always have to go for brand products, others products with similar ingredients can be found with lower price.
Activity level: Pet with higher energy might require higher-protein diet.
Food sensitivities and allergies: some pets likes humans are sensitive to certain ingredients, so it is important to avoid products that contains those ingredients as it can make your pet more sick.
Age of the pet: foods are labeled by the manufacturer to address the nutritional needs of your pet's stage of life. It’s a good idea to buy a food that is specific to your pet's stage of life to make sure their current nutritional needs are being met.
Pet's weight: help your pet shed unhealthy extra pounds. Weight-control formula may be recommended.
Spayed or Neutered: have lower energy requirements, needing less calories.
Pet's preferences: find a form of food and flavors you know your pet likes so this way they will enjoy what they eat.
Vet recommendation: you can always ask the vet for recommendation specialized to your pet's need.

Benefits of having well balanced food for your pet:
They will be more likely to maintain a healthy weight and will have more energy for play time.
It will also boost the pet's mood, prevent boredom and relieve pet stress.
It will lead to better well behaved pets and leads to having a better and stronger bond with your pet

TREATS

 IMPORTANCE OF SELECTING THE RIGHT TREATS FOR YOUR PETS: Small, Medium and Large Dog Breeds; Cat Breeds

There are many treats available in the market. Selecting the right one can make a huge difference in your pet's behavior and health. Pet treats and chews can be used to learn new tricks and behaviors, sneak in a prescribed pill, help clean your pet’s teeth or aid digestion. Selecting the right treat depends on your pet, their diet and what you’re trying to achieve. The number of treats should never exceed 5 - 10% of the daily amount of calories that your pet is allowed to eat.

 Information on different breeds of Dogs and Cats

Different breeds of dogs and cats are susceptible to different health conditions. Dalmatians frequently get urinary stones, miniature schnauzers are prone to high cholesterol and overall blood fat levels, Labradors become overweight easily, and long-haired cats like Himalayans may get more hairballs. Some of these health issues can potentially be prevented or can be treated in part by diet, so it makes sense that feeding diets designed specifically for these breeds could have health benefits. Breed-specific diets for dogs like Labradors are often lower in calories, and one brand features large, donut-shaped kibble which are designed to slow down the eating speed of this notoriously hungry breed.  These characteristics might make these diets good options for other lower energy, fast-eating breeds as well. Diets designed for long-haired cat breeds may have increased fiber to help reduce hairballs, while diets designed for flat-faced breeds such as bulldogs or Persians may have kibble shapes that make it easier for their short jaws to pick up and chew.

Selecting Small Breed Dog Treat

Small breed puppies are more prone to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) thanks to their high metabolism and low sugar and body fat reserves, and so require careful feeding. Treat with quality meat protein, such as beef, chicken is recommended. Fat is important for a healthy skin and coat and energy supply, so make sure the listed ingredients include fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6. Look for small treats with low fat but are soft to chew. Avoid treats high in fat, salt, artificial ingredients and are hard to chew. Treats that are good are the soft chews, small dog biscuits and small pieces of jerky.

Selecting Medium Breed Dog Treat

Finding the right treat is important, as you don’t want a too small or too big a treat. You don’t want to over feed the dog. This is mainly due to the wide range in weight standards applied to them; adult dogs between 20-50 pounds are defined as “mid-size”. Because of the large weight bracket, some dogs normally considered small or large breed can fall into the medium category, especially when they're a mixed breed. These can include beagles, basset hounds, and even some husky and pug breeds, depending on their individual weight. Mid-size puppies, for example, should be fine chewing down on foods meant for either small or large breed dogs.

Selecting Large Breed Dog Treat

A common challenge faced by pet parents of larger breed pups is the risk of overfeeding. Bigger dogs grow at a much faster rate than their smaller counterparts, with some weighing in at over 100 pounds in under a year. Having such a fast rate of growth makes them more susceptible to certain risks that smaller breeds don't have to worry about. These can include deficiencies in their nutritional and caloric intake, meaning their diets need to be closely monitored.

Training Treats for Small, Medium and Large Dog Breeds

The key to a poop-free floor might just lie with training treats. Because some behaviors are harder to learn than others, and you may be doling out several treats in a single session, the best dog treats for training are small and dry. For extra-long sessions, cut treats into smaller pieces. You don't want them to get full from just eating the treats; also try to buy the small packages first to make sure your dogs likes them. Most of the treats will have the dog size/weight recommendation for that treat. Make sure you follow the size and weight chart guidelines. You don’t want to give a big size treat to a small bread dog, as it can cause choking.

Comfort Treats for Small, Medium and Large Dog Breeds

Keeping your dog busy while you’re away is a great way to alleviate their separation anxiety and boredom. Enter comfort dog treats and chews! Give your furry loved one something they can concentrate on for a few hours – a chew, “bone” treats (actual treats, though, since real bones can splinter and harm your pooch!), peanut butter treats or other comfort treats that can’t be gobbled up in two seconds. This will also help puppies who are teething and dogs who like to gnaw on shoes. Make sure whatever you choose is free of choking hazards and appropriate for your dog’s size and chew strength.

 Healthy Dog Treats for Small, Medium and Large Dog Breeds

Animals all have dietary needs to keep them healthy and strong. Healthy dog treats, or “functional food,” are a great way to slip your pup a little something extra without feeding them actual vitamins. Use pumpkin dog treats, or other tummy-friendly snacks, for an upset stomach. Single-ingredient treats are especially gentle on your pet’s system. Balance diet and treat is the key so make sure you are not over doing in giving too many treats throughout the day. An older pup might benefit from treats with joint or hip formulas to keep them moving like a dog half their age. Functional food comes in a variety of formulas and flavors to suit your needs and your pup’s taste buds. Look for coconut oil, kelp, raw goat milk and more!

Wet Treats for Cat Breeds

Wet treats are growing in popularity and can be a very palatable snack for your cat. Delectable's lickable treats come in multiple textures, including bisques, stews, broths, chowders, and soft pates. These also come in a variety of flavors, including chicken or tuna, with additional flavors such as shrimp, beef, duck, salmon, and more.

Dry Treats for Cat Breeds

These treats come in all sorts of brands, flavors, and consistencies. You might find a bag of crunchy tuna-flavored treats, or a container of soft chicken-flavored treats. Generally, you’ll find that these dry treats are similar to the dry food or kibble you may feed your cat.

Best Treats for Senior Cat Breeds

The treats you select for your senior cat need to be appropriate for their age and body health. As cats age, they develop arthritis in their joints and back, they can have organ disease, or develop cognitive dysfunction (brain atrophy).

Healthy Treat Consist of:

  • Natural ingredients
  • No added sugar or unhealthy chemical additives
  • Easy-to-recognize ingredients, so you know what you’re feeding your dog
  • Treats that have been prepared in a healthy way. Food that has been slowly baked at a low temperature maintains the quality of the nutrients.

TOYS

SELECTING THE RIGHT TOYS FOR YOUR PETS: SMALL, MEDIUM AND LARGE DOG BREEDS; CAT BREEDS

Like most animals, pets like to play and need activities to keep them busy. Pets that don’t have these opportunities can get bored or frustrated, and begin to exhibit problem behaviors, including chewing, digging, jumping up, play biting and anxiety. One way to avoid these problems is to provide toys for your pet. The items you buy should be appropriate for the size, strength, activity level and interest of your pet. Also, just like humans, pets get bored with the same old thing, so get your pet a variety of fun and interesting toys to play with.

Different kinds of toys to try on your DOG breeds:

Balls: Rubber balls and tennis balls are often favorite fetch toys. However, never throw them hard and fast toward the dog for her to catch; they may become lodged in the back of her mouth or throat. If your dog is extra large, use balls that are larger than tennis balls. Some dogs like to chase after rocks, but don’t use rocks as fetch toys, since they can wear down and even break your dog’s teeth.

 Items for chewing: If your dog loves chewing, you could try giving him Red Barn bully sticks or rawhide chips. Again, though, always watch the dog at first. Some dogs are so enthusiastic that they swallow without chewing enough, which could cause choking. Nylabones, Kongs, and similar dog toys are also great for chewing. Nylabones are hard rubber chew toys that come in a variety of sizes and flavors. Kong toys, which come in a variety of shapes, are great fun for dogs: You can stuff them with treats or peanut butter, freeze food in them, and hide them for a game of hide-and-seek. Make sure you select the right size for your dog.

 Puzzle toys: Puzzle toys are entertaining, safe toys that keep your dog occupied for a while. Puzzle toys are great for the small dogs especially. Puzzle dog toys work best for super-smart pets and canines that get bored easily. You put kibble and/or treats in the toy, and the dog has to work on the toy to get the food to fall out. Examples of puzzle toys are Buster Cube, Busy Buddy and Kong Wobble, but there are lots of others. Always supervise closely when your dog is working with a plastic puzzle toy, since his teeth can get caught in small holes and plastic can break into small pieces.

 Active toys: Hard rubber toys such as Nylabone® and Kong®-type products come in many shapes and sizes and are fun for chewing and carrying around. Very hard rubber dog toys are great for high energy pets. For dogs that like tug-of-war and chewing on interesting textures, rope and woven toys are usually available in a "bone" shape with knotted ends.

Distraction toys: Kong®-type toys, especially when filled with broken-up treats, can keep a puppy or dog busy for hours. If your veterinarian says your dog can eat peanut butter, make sure it is not sweetened with xylitol—which is toxic to dogs—and add some to the crushed-up treats for a tastier and busier, snack!

Comfort toys: Soft stuffed toys are good for several purposes, but they aren't appropriate for all dogs. Some dogs like to carry around soft toys. If your dog sees their toy as a companion, pick one that's small enough to carry. Some dogs want to shake or "kill" their toys, so choose one that's large enough to prevent accidental swallowing and sturdy enough to withstand the dog’s attacks.

Different kinds of toys to try on your CAT breeds:

Toys made from natural materials such as wool, feathers and synthetic fur mimic the look and feel of real prey animals. Look for toys that are well made without any loose pieces that can be ingested. Avoid toys with glued-on decorations.

Wand and fishing pole: Some of the best toys are the interactive wand and fishing pole types. Interactive toys engage feline hunting instincts and allow you and your kitty to have fun together.

 Puzzle toys are a wonderful way to engage cats when you can’t be there to play with them. They’re designed to be filled with treats, and challenge the kitty to retrieve the treats through various openings.

 Laser pointer: They can be relatively inexpensive and effort-free way to give your cat a good workout. Just ensure you get one that’s safe for animals.

 Balls: Some cats love chasing balls and batting them. You could try a regular ball, one with a bell inside (a ‘jingle ball’), a motorized ball or even a crumpled paper ball. The Sphero Mini is a motorized ball aimed at kids but cats love it!

 Solo playtime, there are toys meant to simply be batted around, stalked, pounced on, carried and even nibbled on. There are also reward-based toys that provide the cat with a treat for a job well done.

Food-dispensing toys are very popular now and easy to find. These toys provide activity for your cat and a mini-meal at the same time.

 We recommend not purchasing too many toys until you’ve learned your cat’s preferences and habits, to avoid wasting money on toys that will collect dust.

Toy Safety

Inspect all toys periodically for any loose pieces, wires or clamps, especially where the toy attaches to the string (if there is one). Many toys use safety pin-type attachments, and it wouldn’t be impossible for a cat to chew firmly enough on that part of the toy to pop the pin open.

Making Toys Last

Rotate your pet's toys weekly by making only a few toys available at a time. Keep a variety of types easily accessible. If your pet has a favorite, like a soft comfort toy, you may want to leave it out all the time.

Make Sure They Are The Perfect Size

All pet toys should be appropriate for your pet’s current size. For example, balls should be large enough to carry, but not too small. Balls and other toys that are too small can easily be swallowed or become lodged in your pet’s mouth or throat. Avoid or alter any toys that aren’t “dog-proof” by removing ribbons, strings, eyes, or other parts that could be chewed and/or ingested.