Myths and facts about dog and cat kibble - The dosage stated on the kibble packaging must always be followed

Granules are a complete food that provides your dog or cat with all the necessary nutrients in the right proportion. In order for them to function as a complete food, the correct dosage must also be chosen. The manufacturers of kibbles indicate on the packaging of their products the recommended dosage according to the weight, age and, if necessary, activity of the animal. But is it necessary to strictly follow these instructions? The dosage of pellets is calculated on the basis of the average energy and nutrient requirements of the age and weight category concerned. Some manufacturers give the dosage in great detail, while others give it more approximately. The value stated on the pellet packaging should be used primarily as a starting point for dosage information. Next, the owner must monitor how his dog or cat is doing on the chosen dosage. Dogs and cats should be kept in optimum condition and should not be too thin or overweight. If an adult animal is gaining weight on the dose specified by the manufacturer, it should be reduced or another type of kibble with a lower energy concentration should be chosen. If, on the other hand, it is losing weight, the dose should be increased. For growing puppies and kittens, the progress of growth and weight gain should be assessed and should be in line with the normal values for the species and breed. Strict adherence to the instructions on the kibble packaging without monitoring the animal's condition may lead to unwanted overfeeding or, conversely, malnutrition. It is important to remember that each dog or cat is an individual. They differ in their ability to digest and utilise nutrients from food, their metabolic rate and their tendency to store fat. What is enough for one or even already leads to weight gain may not be enough for another. Any dog or cat owner who feeds kibble to their animal should read the manufacturer's recommended dosage on the packaging and work from there. They should also monitor the condition of the animal and ideally weigh them regularly. If he finds that the weight is increasing, he should reduce the dose recommended by the manufacturer somewhat. If, on the other hand, its weight is decreasing, he should increase the dose. This, of course, only applies to adult animals. Puppies and kittens in the growing period should increase their weight continuously in accordance with the growth curves of their breed.

MVDr. Eva Štercová, Ph.D.