Nutrition
Daily bird care checklist
What does it take to keep your feathered friend feeling fine? A lot. To be a responsible owner, you'll need to be involved in your pet's care every day. Once you've got the routine down, you may find yourself enjoying these daily tasks. And, of course, there's no better reward than a happy, healthy bird.
Bird foods to avoid
What's your bird's favorite treat? Even when you offer him a selection of foods that usually meet his approval, he always seems to have a hankering for whatever it is you're eating at the moment. You may be tempted to share your snack, but it's not always healthy for companion avians to indulge in certain foods. In some cases, it can be downright dangerous.
Avoid feeding the following foods to your bird, and be sure to keep them out of beak's reach when he's out of his cage:
Nutritional needs for birds
Are you familiar with the phrase "eating like a bird"? When it comes to feeding your companion avian, forget you ever heard it. With his high metabolic rate, your pet must eat a lot – and often – to remain in optimum health. A typical budgie, for example, may eat up to 20 small meals a day. While he takes care of the quantity, you'll need to ensure the quality with a well-balanced, varied diet appropriate for his species.
Toxic foods for your cat
Virtually any substance can be toxic to your cat if consumed constantly or at high dosage. Even if no adverse effects are immediately seen, that does not mean a certain substance is safe.
There are many myths about what is or is not safe or healthy for pets. Before getting on the bandwagon, keep in mind the commercial motives of those perpetuating the myth. Demand scientific evidence for the claims.
Cat foods to avoid
The following lists some of the substances for which there is credible evidence of toxicity at dosages your pet could conceivably consume:
Bird treats
Polly want a cracker? Maybe. But thanks to the readily available variety of treats for companion avians, we'll bet you can find something much more nutritious and delicious for your feathered friend.
Ferrets and nutrition
When it comes to feeding your ferret, protein and fat are where it's at. A born carnivore with a high metabolism and energy level, your pet will need the right food to fuel his active lifestyle. And in order to meet your ferret's strict dietary requirements, you must be prepared to read lots of labels!
Treats and supplements for your ferret
A high-quality kitten or ferret food should be the "meat and potatoes" of your pet's diet, but every self-respecting ferret appreciates some variety once in a while. You'll need to inform yourself about what's good – and what's not – for your animal companion.
Nutritional needs for gerbils
Time to eat...again! Your little critters can work up quite an appetite with all that digging, chewing and running on the exercise wheel. As a responsible gerbil caretaker, it's your job to meet your pets' nutritional needs while providing as much variety as possible.
Treats for your gerbils
A commercial gerbil seed mix should make up the basis of your pets' diet, but your little guys will delight in a bit of variety every now and then. Most gerbils aren't too particular when it comes to treats--but you, however, will need to be discerning about what, and what not, to dish out at snacktime.
Mouse nutrition
What three-syllable word best describes a mouse's appetite? VORACIOUS! With their extremely high metabolisms, mice need to eat a lot to stay in tip-top condition. Alas, they're not too discriminating when it comes to grub – but that's where you come in. Once you know what, and what not, to feed your animal companions, you'll easily meet their nutritional needs.
Treats for your mouse
Who's about three inches long (not including tail) and looks forward to snacktime every day? Your mouse, that's who! While nutritionally complete rodent chow and grass hay should make up the basis of your pet's diet, your little guy will always appreciate a special treat or two. To ensure that he enjoys it in the best of health, you’ll need to know what foods are good for him – and which ones aren't.
Rabbit nutrition
That famous bunny named Bugs may have lived by carrots alone, but real rabbits are a bit more demanding. As a responsible owner, you should know that there are three basic components of your fuzzy vegetarian pet's diet:
- Hay
- Pellets
- Fresh vegetables
Once you've learned the right kinds and amounts of these foods to offer, meeting your bunny's nutritional needs is as easy as one, two, three.
Tasty rabbit treats
Unlimited hay, fresh vegetables and pellets are the "meat and potatoes" of your pet's diet, but every self-respecting rabbit will appreciate a delicious treat to eat on occasion. Feeding inappropriate foods, however, can upset your bunny's sensitive digestive system. As a responsible caretaker, you'll need to inform yourself about what's good (and what's not) for your animal companion.
A guinea pig's nutritional needs
What do guinea pigs eat?
What do guinea pigs like to do? Eat, eat, and eat some more! In the wild, these South American mammals spend about six hours a day grazing on grasses, so it's no wonder that your pet always seems to be nibbling on something. As a responsible caretaker, it's up to you to provide the ingredients for this daily chow fest. Topping the menu are specially formulated pellets, followed by plenty of hay supplemented with fresh fruits and veggies.
Guinea pig treats
When it comes to snacktime, your guinea pig is pretty easy to please. While commercial guinea pig pellets and grass hay should make up the bulk of her diet, she'll appreciate some daily variety. It's up to you to offer treats that are both delicious and nutritious.
Nutrional needs for hamsters
He may be a little guy, but your hamster's big on food. With their high metabolisms, these animal companions require about 10 percent of their body weight in food every day. In the wild, hamsters scarf down seeds, plants, fruit, and the occasional insect or earthworm. Your pet will do just fine on specially formulated hamster mix, supplemented every couple of days with fresh foods like fruits and vegetables.
Treats for your hamster
Know how to make your hamster happy? Give him a bite--or two--of something special. While commercial hamster mix should make up the bulk of your pet's diet, your little fellow will appreciate some variety every now and then. It's up to you to make his snacktime both delicious and nutritious.
A healthy diet for kittens
For the first month of her life, your kitten got all the nutrients she needed from her mom's milk. Slowly she learned to eat on her own, becoming fully weaned after another month. As her new pet parent, now it's your job to see that she receives the proper nutrition to support her journey to adulthood.
Nutritional needs for cats
Look inside your cat's mouth. Notice her teeth? Shaped for cutting, tearing and slicing, these belong to a carnivore. Unlike dogs, who can get all their nutrients from plant-based proteins, domestic felines need meat to meet their dietary requirements. By feeding your cat the right kind and amount of food, you can keep her happy and healthy.
Treats for your cat
Has your cat trained you to dish out the treats with a flick of her tail and a demanding meow? Unfortunately, many of the kitty treats currently available in pet supply stores contain large amounts of sugar and fat, which can lead to an overweight animal. By opting for nutritionally complete and balanced treats, you can add variety to your pet's diet without packing on the pounds.
Rat nutrition
Who can eat more food than your family at Thanksgiving? That's right, your rat! In the wild, rats consume:
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Vegetables
- Insects
- Eggs
- Even reptiles, fish, small birds and mammals
Their domestic cousins are serious chowhounds, and take great delight in what's for dinner. As a responsible caretaker, it's your job to meet your pet's nutritional requirements while resisting the urge to overdo it with the treats.
Dog treats
Variety is the spice of a dog's diet, and well-chosen natural treats can provide that spice.
Toxic foods for your dog
One good thing about dogs is that they’re not especially finicky. One bad thing is that they’ll eat just about anything. Unfortunately, that can include foods or other substances that may be potentially toxic.
Virtually any substance can be toxic to your dog if consumed constantly or at high dosage. Even if no adverse effects are immediately seen, that does not mean a certain substance is safe.
Feeding guidelines for a puppy
For the first month of his life, your puppy got all the nutrients he needed from his mother's milk. Slowly he learned to eat on his own, becoming fully weaned after a few more weeks. As his new pet parent, now it's your turn to see that he receives the proper nutrition to support his journey to adulthood.
Cats and automatic pet feeders
You won't be back until late in the evening and neither will the trusted neighbor who usually pops in to feed your cat...
The second the food dish hits the floor, your perpetually hungry tabby inhales his dinner, causing it to, er, come up as quickly as it went down...
Dogs and automatic pet feeders
You won't be back until late in the evening and neither will the trusted neighbor who usually pops in to feed your dog...
The second the food dish hits the floor, your perpetually hungry dog inhales his dinner, causing it to, er, come up as quickly as it went down...
Can dogs eat human foods?
Are table foods bad for dogs?
When no one's looking during dinner, have you been known to slip Fido a forkful of fettucine? You're not alone--many owners offer their pets table food. And although some human foods are simply not appropriate for dogs, certain table scraps are fine--in moderation.
Can cats eat human foods?
When no one's looking during dinner, have you been known to let Fluffy lick that dish of ice cream clean. You're not alone – many owners offer their pets table food. And although some human foods are simply not appropriate for cats, certain table scraps are fine in moderation.
Good table scraps for cats
Your feline may be a bit more discriminating in the produce department, but some cats love:
- Fresh melon
- Corn
- Cooked broccoli
Why not see if your kitty is among this group?
Vitamins and supplements for your dog
If you're feeding your pet a complete and balanced food, she should have all the nutrients she needs to stay in tip-top shape. But sometimes ensuring that your animal companion receives proper nutrition isn't that simple. Older or debilitated pets, and those recovering from surgery or illness, for example, may benefit from a boost of vitamins or nutritional supplements.
Vitamins and supplements for your cat
If you're feeding your pet a complete and balanced food, she should have all the nutrients she needs to stay in tip-top shape. But sometimes ensuring that your animal companion receives proper nutrition isn't that simple. Older or debilitated pets, and those recovering from surgery or illness, for example, may benefit from a boost of vitamins or nutritional supplements.