City & Guilds Qualification At PamPurredPets we actively encourage our staff to be knowledgeable in all aspects of pet keeping. We have our own in - house training programme which all staff follow during their first six months with us. After completing this programme many progress on to the City & Guilds in Pet Management, which is a nationally recognised qualification.

A nutritious balanced diet is essential for your cat from the kitten stage through to the senior years. Therefore, a properly prepared manufactured food is a much better and healthier option for your cat than a home made one, where the right nutritional balance is hard to achieve. It is important to remember that cats cannot live healthily on dog food as it does not contain the nutrient taurine which is essential for your cats well being. There are many specially prepared cat foods on the market, all you have to do is choose one that suits you and your cat. Fresh, clean water should always be available. Canned or Dry Food You can choose from canned meat or dry food which all contain the required nutrients for your pet. Canned food can contain over 80% moisture. If your cat does not eat the food all in one go, which most cats will not, it will go off in warm weather if left down too long. Dry complete premium foods are much more convenient as they can be left down longer in warm weather without going off and you will not have to feed them as much. Dry complete premium foods are made with high quality ingredients which means higher digestibility, which means more of the food is utilised by your pet for energy and bodily functions. This means less waste and in turn means less faeces. Also, the shape and crunchiness of the kibble of dry complete food helps keep your cats teeth clean and healthy. Urinary Tract Problems Most people worry that cats fed on dried food can suffer from urinary tract problems such as stones or crystals forming in the urinary tract. Premium complete dry foods, however, are so advanced that they are formulated to prevent these types of problems. Cats must have meat in their diets as unlike dogs they cannot live healthily on a vegetarian diet. Supplements When feeding your cat on complete foods you do not need to give them any supplements, unless recommended to do so by your vet. A complete diet is formulated to provide all the essential nutrients your pet will need for strong bones and muscles and a healthy immune system.

Life Stages As your kitten gets older the need for certain nutrients will change, that’s why premium foods are formulated for different stages in your cat’s life. KITTENS need more nutrients than adults as they are growing. Kitten food should be fed from 3 weeks until about 9 to 12 months. PREGNANT AND LACTATING QUEENS should be fed on kitten food as extra nutrients are needed. ADULT CATS require an adult formulation which should be fed from 9 to 12 months until their senior years. SENIOR CATS 7 YEARS PLUS require different levels of nutrients, therefore a diet for senior cats is recommended. LIGHT DIETS are specially formulated for less active or over weight adult cats. There are also specific foods for a sensitive stomach, sensitive skin, hairball remedy, oral care even a food specially formulated for the indoor cat. On the back of all packaging there is a recommended feeding guide for the daily allowance of food to give your cat. It is important to follow these guides to enable your pet to obtain the utmost benefit from these foods. It will also prevent over and underfeeding. Treats There are a wide variety of treats available for your cat on the market, which can be used as a training aid or just as a reward. It is important not to over feed as this can lead to obesity. If you think your cat is slightly overweight then a light diet should be fed. However, if you feel your cat is either very overweight or underweight it is always best to consult your veterinary surgeon. If you have any more questions please call into one of our branches, most of our staff are City & Guilds trained in pet care and animal nutrition. Please ask them all the questions you wish and they will be more than happy to answer them.