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Learn : Feeding Tips

Mealtime Hacks for Dogs & Cats

Curious Cat

Feeding your pet isn’t exactly rocket science, but it is veterinary science. There’s more to mealtime than plopping the food in the bowl and getting on with your day. While our fresh food recipes with a simple peel-and-pour, pre-portioned packaging, you owe it to your pets’ health to do some table-setting before they dig in.

The bowl matters

“Food bowl” has taken on many meanings in the average pet owner’s lifetime. Tupperware, paper plate, cupped hands — we’re not judging. In a pinch, just about anything will do.

If you have the wherewithal to make it happen though, do your bowl shipping through a more critical lens.

  • Is the bowl made of plastic? Plastic bowls are known to lend themselves to bacteria buildup, which can lead to upset stomachs and difficulty digesting. Not to mention, plastic bowls are far more susceptible to knicks and dings, which can potentially cut your pet’s tongue or gum line while they eat.
  • Is the bowl big enough? It seems obvious, but the bigger the pet, the bigger the bowl. Overpacking a small bowl could force your pet to scramble and eat faster than necessary, raising the risk of choking or indigestion.
  • Is the bowl raised? Evidence points toward the benefits of a raised dog bowl for both pets and their people. For pets, it means less strain on the neck, shoulders and potentially an easier time digesting. For parents, it means bending down a shorter distance and easing the impact on your back.

We recommend a stainless steel bowl if possible. They’re durable, easy to clean, bacteria-resistant and generally kinder to the environment than the artificial polymers and plastics you’ll find in the knockoffs. 

For speedy eaters

Some dogs and cats light up at the first whiff of food, and the momentum never slows until they’ve licked the last morsel from the bowl. While the amount of time your pet should take to finish their meal can vary greatly depending on their size, breed and diet, it’s commonly agreed that slower is better, for two reasons:

  1. Faster consumption can quickly lead to overeating, as dogs and cats have stomachs that swell up well beyond what they need for a day’s nourishment (chalk it up to their ancestors’ feast-or-famine mentality). If you give your pet permission, they’re likely to eat for as long as you let them.
  2. Faster consumption can also lead to digestion issues, the same way you might feel the effects after eating a meal too quickly. The combination of quick intake and limited chewing could make it difficult for your pets’ GI tract to do its best work. Plus, if your dog likes to run or play after a meal, the sudden motions won’t do their stomach any favors.

We recommend a slow feeder. Just make sure you search for a model that can accommodate fresh food, as many are built for kibble diets.

Put them on a schedule 

Cats and dogs typically don’t need a dinner bell — sometimes, just opening the fridge door will have them beelining from even the farthest reaches of the house.

However, alerting them to regular feeding times can be helpful in more ways than one. 

  • Predictable feedings can help reel in behavioral issues, as pets know what to expect when the sun rises and sets. Your pets crave routine, as it’s what makes them feel comfy, relaxed and cared for. By keeping their feedings orderly and on time, you can help calm their anxieties and make life placidly predictable.
  • Regular feedings can be a good cue for house training, too. Especially with puppies. Let them relieve themselves outside after a feeding, and start to build the association with mealtime and potty time. 

About the begging...

Tips for Stopping Your Pet from Begging

Cute as it may be, begging can quickly become a vexing behavior in both dogs and cats. It’s in both your and your pets’ best interest to cut out the begging before it becomes a problem, as you deserve to eat a meal in peace as much as they do.

Keep your meals sealed, unreachable and socked away inside the pantry. You can reduce the likelihood that your pet will beg by simply reducing the sights and scents surrounding them. Similarly, you may want to consider crate training your dog or isolating your cat during mealtime, as the compulsion may be too strong for them to resist.

If you’re a multi-pet household, begging, food aggression and resource guarding often make for a dangerous mix, and the harmony of your paw-footed family may be disrupted by some combination of them. Take a look through our tips for reducing stress around the dinner table and be sure to reward them any chance you get for good behavior.

Treats for dogs

Training and treats go hand in hand, but overtreating your dog can become a problem and cut into mealtime effectiveness if you’re not careful to monitor your intake.

As a rule of thumb, treats should only represent 5-10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake. Try to opt for healthier, low calorie treats, too, like carrots, blueberries, jerky or even Cheerios. 

Treats for cats

You have heard the term whisker fatigue before, and while some of the science is still hanging in the balance, there’s no denying that cats’ whiskers are the most sensitive part of their body, relying on them for everything from balance to maneuvering in the dark.

Some suggest that repeated grazing of whiskers against a small bowl can dull these extrasensory perceptions, so a saucer or a plate may be a better serving decision to help ease any worries.

Effective March 28, 2022: we have discontinued our cat foods at this time, due to supply chain and ingredient issues. We are so sorry. Read more here.

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