January prompts people to reflect on the changes they should make. You look around and realize what isn’t functioning as well as it could be, for example, your pet’s messy feeding station. Therefore, you decide it’s time to make a change, and what better time to hit the reset button than the new year?
New Year’s resolutions include everything from making financial changes to diet tweaks to creating a more organized and tidy home. When it comes to your pets, you may have several pet-friendly resolutions in mind to make life with your furry pal even more rewarding.
Does Your Pet’s Feeding Setup Need Some Changes?
Your pet’s eating area could be the source of quite a few New Year’s updates. As time passes, your dog or cat’s feeding station reveals minor issues that slowly develop into more significant problems.
For your pet, it could be more spills, dropped food, weight changes, or different eating habits. These things can signal that your pet’s feeding area needs an overhaul, so why not give it an upgrade for the New Year?
Here are five signs it’s time to upgrade your pet’s mealtime.
1. You’re Always Cleaning Up a Mess After Mealtimes
Does your pet’s eating area look like they had a food fight with their friends? If scattered kibble peppers the floor or you’re finding puddles of water around your pet’s dishes, something is amiss. Sure, some pets are messier eaters than others, but there are solutions out there to reduce the chaos and the spills.
A messy feeding area likely means your dog or cat’s bowls aren’t the proper size, shape, or height for your pet. For example, lightweight bowls move more easily, and shallow dishes increase the chances of water or food coming over the sides.
Wider bowls might invite some water-loving pets to play and splash in their dishes. Therefore, it’s important to note your pet’s eating habits so you can make the right adjustments.
Tips for Upgrading: Consider a slow-feed bowl if your pet tends to eat quickly, which often leads to a mess. Other potential solutions are heavier bowls, dishes with non-slip bottoms, or using a feeding mat. These changes won’t necessarily solve your pet’s undesirable table manners, but they can reduce the crumbs and puddles you have to clean.
2. Your Pet Seems Hesitant While Eating
What if your pet isn’t digging into their food bowl as if they’ll never eat again? Instead of speed-eating and not coming up for air until the bowl’s empty, they hesitate before they eat. Maybe you notice them taking a break mid-meal or tentatively reaching for their next piece of kibble.
These actions could be a clue that your pet is experiencing some discomfort around eating. Of course, you’ll want to rule out any potential health problems or dental dilemmas with your vet. But if you get the all-clear, then the issue could be your pet’s feeding station setup.
Bending down repeatedly to eat or drink from a low bowl can strain joints and the neck, especially for aging pets or larger breeds. Cats can experience whisker fatigue if their bowls are too narrow, which can make eating unpleasant.
Tips for Upgrading: Focus on creating a comfortable, appealing eating station for your pet. This could mean switching to a raised or an angled feeder, a wider dish, or simply adjusting the placement of your pet’s bowls so they have adequate space during mealtimes.
3. Your Pet’s Experiencing Weight Changes or Weird Eating Habits
Are you confused why your pet seems to be gaining weight when you’re only giving them their usual food and treats? Or maybe, your dog or cat is losing weight or suddenly trying to eat their poop (eww)?
Once again, you want to make sure there are no underlying health issues at play, but unexpected weight changes could be an indicator of inaccurate portions. Eating poop could signal certain nutrient deficiencies, although it’s also often behavioral.
Tips for Upgrading: Stop guessing portions. Include a measuring cup or spoon in your pet’s meal station. Make sure you know exactly how much food your pet should eat each day. If necessary, keep this information posted by your pet’s dishes.
You might also need to rethink your pet’s feeding schedule, especially if they tend to eat no matter what. Free feeding may no longer be an option, and a more regimented eating routine may be the way to go.
4. Clutter Is Taking Over Your Pet’s Feeding Spot
Is there so much stuff packed into your pet’s eating station that you can barely see their bowls? Are there half-filled treat bags, supplement bottles, bags of food, or random scoops scattered about the area? You might even notice pests, like flies and ants, gathering near your pet’s chow zone.
It’s easy for items to pile up and turn your dog or cat’s meal spot into a catch-all. Not only does the clutter make the area look messy, but open food bags attract critters, and all of this affects how you approach your pet’s mealtimes. Things become more chaotic, you lose things, grab the wrong scoop, etc.
Tips for Upgrading: Refresh your pet’s eating setup by adding a sealed food container and some type of storage for treat jars and other accessories. This could be a small cabinet, a wall-shelf, or hooks for scoops.
Make sure everything has a place, and you only store what you need in the immediate area. Backstock or extra supplies should go elsewhere and only move into the feeding station when it’s time to replenish food and other items.
5. Your Pet’s Needs Have Changed, but Their Feeding Setup Hasn’t
Just like humans, pets change over time, which means their feeding situations need to adjust, too. For example, a puppy needs frequent meals, but as they get older, their feeding schedule changes to once or twice a day.
This might mean going from a smaller bowl to a larger one. Your aging pet may need easier access to their bowls, requiring you to relocate their entire meal area. Changes in dietary needs, the number of pets in the home, or the addition of new people or animals also might influence your pet’s eating routine.
Tips for Upgrading: Let your pet guide you when it comes to setting up an optimal feeding station for them. Observe their eating habits to determine what adjustments you need to make. It could be moving the entire setup, replacing the bowls, adding a mat, or reorganizing.
Extra Upgrades to Create a Better Mealtime for Your Pet
Here are a few other ways to improve your pet’s eating experience this new year:
- Replace worn-out belongings and bowls.
- Toss expired food, treats, and supplements (make sure to dispose of supplements responsibly).
- Talk to your vet about potentially switching to a more appropriate food for your pet’s current stage of life (for example, food for mature pets, weight maintenance, allergies, or to meet certain nutrient needs).
Easing Your Pet Into a New Feeding Station Setup
Start with small changes, like a new bowl or storage container, and see how it impacts your pet. You know your pet best, so if they tend to get stressed by new things, gradual tweaks are preferable instead of a complete overhaul all at once.
The new year is all about fresh starts, and your pet deserves one, too. Upgrading their feeding setup is a simple way to give them a refresh and set them up for a healthy, happy New Year.
Find even more pet-parenting tips regarding how to take care of your furry friends by checking out the Neater Pets blog.