Q: We recently got a new puppy and he insist on eating out of the same bowl as our 8 year old Lab so I have been feeding them both puppy food. Is it bad for my older dog to be eating the puppy food? Feeding them in seperate bowls just wont work,what should I do?

A: Its little wonder your Labrador isn’t complaining about your dinner-time compromise. After all, puppy food would have to be an adult dog’s dream meal. It’s not only high in protein but also high in fat meaning it’s packed full of flavour as well as energy. But is it safe for her to eat? Well, it’s certainly not lacking in nutrients that she might need. In fact, if there is a problem it’s the fact she might have too much of a good thing. With so many kilojoules crammed into each kibble, she runs the real risk of putting on serious amounts of weight. So the way I see it you have two options. Either ensure your Labrador receives a controlled amount of food and has her weight regularly monitored to prevent those extra pounds sneaking their way onto her waistline or take the second more sensible option. Feed your puppy puppy food and your adult dog an adult formula in separate bowls on separate sides of the house. That way there is no meal swapping and no need for concern. You see, sometimes sharing isn’t exactly caring!

Q: my cat seems to sleep ALL day to the point I think she's more than lethargic. At 5 surely this cant be old age. She picks at her food but she always has, and is as affectionate as ever. I' not too worried but wish she was a little more playful - can I do anything to 'gee' her up a bit?

A: With the average cat sleeping around 16 hours a day, it’s probably safe to say there’s nothing too much that’s medically wrong with “Chica”. But lifestyle wise, it sounds like she’s got all the hallmarks of what I call ‘day-off disease’! You see, with no plans, no commitments and no work to do for the day, she sees no reason not to sleep-in and then just keep on sleeping. You need to take on the role of motivator here and give her a reason to get out of bed. Here’s how you do it. First of all, look at when you feed her. I’d be only feeding her one meal at night. Offer her a big breakfast and you risk providing her with the fuel for a whole day’s rest. Instead, with an empty stomach she’ll be feeling a little more frisky. Next, you need to provide her with that wake-up call. Encourage her to get up when you get up, giving her a good reason to do so; like a good brushing session. If you have to go to work during the day then don’t be afraid to set a few timers and alarms around the house (on the TV, stereo etc.) as a way of preventing Chica from settling back into her ‘relaxed’ ways. Even phoning home to wake her up seems to work well. The final step is the clincher. It’s playtime. You need a collection of interactive and enticing toys that will have her leaping off that couch with interest. From the simple ‘ping-pong’ ball to the more elaborate ‘electric mouse’ and ‘feline fishing rod and lure’ (both available from pet shops) to the exotic yet highly entertaining ‘spinning laser’ (also available from quality pet stores), you’ll be not only amazed at the vast array of toys out there but also the fascination your previously ‘chilled-out’ Chica will have for them. And once she gets the ‘active’ bug, it should stay for life. Good luck!

Q: My Australian Silky Terrier, Bonnie, is now 13 years old. I have been giving her a cup of Purina Seniors food at night. She used to eat all her food immediately but now tends to eat more slowly and has three to four small meals spread over the evening. IS this normal for an older dog?

A: Don’t be too concerned here. You see, it’s not just the level of physical activity that slows down as pets reach their pensioner years. Their digestion drops off as well. While it’s something we need to take note of, your “Bonnie” is all too aware of her limitations. As a result, she’s breaking her dinner into 3 to 4 entrée sized portions. This means her stomach and intestines have smaller amounts of food to break down and absorb; giving them a greater chance of sucking all those nutrients out. Being on PURINA ONE Senior Protection formula is already a big advantage for her as it’s a food that’s not only high in protein but also more easily digested than most other diets. My only other advice to you would be to consider switching her from once a day feeding to twice a day; with a breakfast and dinner ‘offering’! This allows her to separate her daily intake of food into two manageable meals. Something that should keep our senior citizen satisfied for years to come…

Q: my dog eats healthy weight m'ment dry biscuits in morn, and wet in night. she is gaining weight. she used to have sens syst form biscuits. i changed over 1yr ago.

A: It’s moments like these that we realise just how similar our pets are to people. You see, like some of us, certain dogs can eat mountains of food and maintain a slim and trim figure. While others, like your Tess, still find a way to put on weight even when they’re eating sensibly. The key is to match their feeding requirements to their metabolism. Here’s how you do it. First of all, use the feeding guides on the back of the packs to ensure she is being fed the recommended amount. If she is, then drop that amount (or whatever you’re currently feeding her) back by 10%. Feed this new amount for 2 weeks and then weigh her again. If she is still gaining weight on the new level then drop it back by another 10% and weigh her in another 2 weeks. Continue this until you reach a serving of food that leaves her weight stable. But throughout the whole weight loss program, don’t forget the 2 golden rules of dog dieting. Number 1: Increasing their level of exercise can be as successful as reducing their level of calories. And at least they’ll enjoy the exercise part of the diet! And Number 2: Just like us, dogs can and will beg, borrow and steal if it means they can beat their diet. Make sure they’re not sneaking any extra meals from overly sympathetic neighbours!