When adopting a dog there are many things to consider, such as what to do when bringing your new dog home, to how to best bond with your new dog, to the right diet and nutrition.
Here, Michael Bellingham, Chief Executive of the Pet Food Manufacturers Association, the trade body representing the UK pet food industry, offers his support to DogsBlog and advice to new dog owners:
“Understandably, when considering adoption, nutrition can be a concern for ‘would be’ pet owners. It is important that owners exercise their pets and feed them a good diet, and particularly give them the correct amount of food for their life stage and lifestyle. A pet that is fed and exercised correctly will lead a longer and healthier life. Owners can easily check how much to feed their pets by following the guidelines that can be found on the back of pet food packs. Remember, these are guidelines and you may need to adjust the amounts you feed depending on the individual needs of the pet. Pets that become overweight as a result of overfeeding are more likely to develop serious health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis, so it is in everyone’s interests to take care when feeding.
“The PFMA has developed helpful, practical tools to help owners monitor the condition of their pet. We also recommend steps to take if a problem exists. Prevention is better than cure, so keeping a regular check on a pet’s weight will ensure that pets have the best chance of a long and happy life.â€