Will My Pet Get Bored of Eating the Same Food?

Have you ever wondered if your pet will get bored of eating the sample diet? The simple answer is no, your pet will not get bored of eating the same food every day.

It’s important to remember that our pets perceive food, and the act of eating in a very different way than we do as humans. Variety when it comes to diet is a human construct as we require an assortment of different foods to obtain a balanced diet (and even then most rarely achieve this).

When it comes to our pets, eating is a necessity and is done purely to fulfill energy requirements. And when fed a properly balanced kibble formulated by an accredited veterinary nutritionist, they get everything they need from one single food source.

For humans the act of eating is important mental stimulation. Whereas with our pets their mental stimulation comes from ”the hunt”, the way in which they obtain their food source, not the food itself. Which is often why puzzle feeders are recommended to help your pet live an enriched life.

Cats and dogs actually have significantly less taste buds than humans do. In most cases they won’t notice the differences in flavors, instead they use texture and smell to experience their food in a very different way.

But what about my picky eater? Here are some reasons your pet might be a fussy eater:

Learnt Behavior
Often if we give our pets too many options, or give in and start adding toppers, they learn that change will come if they wait long enough.
Preference to Smell or Texture
The strength of food odour at the beginning of the bag versus the end. Large kibble versus small kibble. Wet versus dry. The options are endless!
Food Aversions
Just like us, pets too can get food aversions when they associate a certain food with a time they weren’t feeling well!
Keep it Positive
It can be very distressing when our pets don’t want to eat and sometimes owners can get too invested. Anxiety over your pet can translate to them and make meal time stressful.
Underlying Causes
Sometimes a change in appetite or lack of an appetite can be a signal that there is something wrong with your pet. Always check in with your veterinarian if you notice any changes!

The team at Mac Animal Clinic is here to help you choose the right diet for your pet. If you have any questions about your pet's diet. Please contact us at 905 208 9933 or email reception@macvets.com

Check out our other blog posts for more information on pet nutrition:

Blog post for Kibble Alternatives.

Pet Nutrition: Think about nutrients not just ingredients

Debunking the myths behind raw diets

Other sources of information for pet nutrition:
World Small Animal Veterinary Association – Nutritional Assessment Guidelines http://www.wsava.org/educational/global-nutrition-commitee
American Animal Hospital Association Nutritional Assessment Guidelines https://www.aahanet.org/Library/NutritionalAsmt.aspx

Pet Nutrition Alliance https://petnutritionalliance.org/
Check out these Pet nutrition focused Instagram accounts: @doctorwolfe.dvm @feedingravendoodles @caninehealthnut @nutritionrvn

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Itchy Pet Awareness Month

By CY Mac • 03 Aug, 2023

August is Itchy Pet Awareness Month! This month was created to help unite pet owners and veterinarians in managing pets with skin conditions. We want to empower pet owners with the resources to identify signs of concern in their pets, and get the veterinary care they need to provide rapid and lasting itch relief. Did you know that allergic/atopic dermatitis (dry, itchy, inflamed skin) is the number one reason for veterinary visits? Even knowing this there are still an alarmingly large number of pets that go untreated by a veterinarian every year, often simply because owners are unaware of what to look for. Your pet’s itch could be caused by: Flea allergy Environmental indoor and outdoor allergens Food allergy Contact allergy Parasites such as fleas and mites Bacterial or yeast infections Remember, all pets will scratch, lick, bite, and rub. But if it is becoming more frequent or excessive, it may be a sign of an allergic itch. Signs of Itch Include: Excessive scratching. Biting, chewing, rubbing or scooting Frequent licking Recurrent ear problems Hair loss Body odor Skin changes Because the frequency at which something occurs is subjective and will vary depending on who you ask, we often refer to the Canadian Academy of Veterinary Dermatology Itch Scale . It is an incredibly helpful tool for us to be able to objectively measure the severity of itching. Early treatment is always preferred in these types of cases. Severe, prolonged scratching can damage the bond between pets and their owners by interfering with normal activities and increasing stress in pets themselves. It’s not uncommon that pet owners will experience stress, anxiety, and frustration about their pets itch. Especially when they know their pet is uncomfortable but aren’t sure how to help. Check out our Dermatology Page for more information and resources. If your pet is itching for help, don’t wait. Reach out to the M.A.C. team today at 905-208-9933 or at reception@macvets.com to see how to get help for your pet’s itch, fast.

Hot Weather Safety Tips

By CY Mac • 20 Jul, 2023

Many people love spending the long, warm days of summer outside with our canine companions, but being outside without the proper precautions in hot weather can be dangerous for our pets. Here are some of our top tips for keeping your pup cool in the heat: Adjust your walking routine Aim to go for walks either early in the morning, or later at night when it’s cooler. If you do choose to walk during the day, remember to check the temperature of the pavement. A good rule of thumb is that if it’s too hot for you to walk on it comfortably in bare feet, then it’s too hot for your puppy's paws! Provide lots of fresh, cool water Dogs can get dehydrated quickly, and it is therefore important to ensure there is always water easily accessible. Remember to take some on the go with you, even for just short walks. Provide cool surfaces to lie on A cool, damp towel is an inexpensive and easy solution. Reduce the amount of walking and exercise Even though it is tempting to keep our little ones' routine the same, their safety is more important. Providing activities indoors such as puzzle feeders or long lasting lick toys will help to keep them calm and occupied. Provide water playtime Try setting up a sprinkler or kiddie pool (preferably in the shade) to let them play in while supervised. Prevent sunburn Did you know that dogs can get sunburnt too? Those more prone are those with no hair, with white or thin coats, and dogs with light pigmented noses and eyelids. Applying a pet safe sunscreen or keeping them indoors is best.

Fear Free® Fireworks

22 Jun, 2023

It is common for many pets to be scared of fireworks, and understandably so. These incredibly loud and unexplained bangs are supposed to be something fun for humans, but to our pets they can be frightening! Reasons your might pet might be afraid of fireworks: Fireworks are loud. As humans, we can all appreciate that fireworks are loud. However, dogs have much more sensitive hearing than humans, cats comparably have an even stronger sense of hearing than dogs! Fireworks are unpredictable. Our pets are not able to anticipate when fireworks are going to go off or understand why. Fireworks also occur at random intervals making it difficult for pets to adjust or get used to it. Fireworks can be perceived as threatening. This may trigger their fight or flight response. While dogs tend to be more obviously affected by fireworks, that does not mean your cat isn’t either! Fortunately there are steps you can take to help make fireworks a less stressful experience. The best action you can take is to be prepared before the event begins, and therefore before the fear sets in. Things you can do at home to help your pet feel safe and calm: Keep Them Inside. Ensure they get out for a walk and are able to relieve themselves for the evening before the fireworks start. Create a safe space indoors for them to retreat to where they can remain hidden and away from the noises. A great example is a crate placed in the basement or a large closet. Play White Noise Try leaving on a fan, the TV, or playing calming music in their designated safe space to help muffle out any loud noises. Calming Pheromones Pheromones are natural chemical signals which are perceived by animals. Pheromone products such as Adaptil and Feliway, replicate these calming messages which are species specific. Utilising calming pheromones around the home, especially in your pet’s designated safe space, can help relieve anxiety and stress. Training Behaviour modification by working on desensitisation and counter-conditioning will help in getting your pet more comfortable with the noises. Training is a lifelong endeavor and must be kept up with year round to help your pet prepare for the firework season before it begins. Speak With Your Veterinarian Talk to your veterinarian about calming supplements or medications. If you have a pet who is afraid of fireworks, our team at Mac Animal Clinic would be happy to help you make fireworks a less stressful experience for both you and your pet.