Post on 23-Dec-2015
Obj. 6.02: Distinguish feeding programs for small animals
SPECIFIC DIETS OF SMALL ANIMALS
The best feed is usually a commercial feed variety
Puppies need their diet higher in protein than adult dogs Food intake is regulated by activity
Cats need twice as much protein as dogs 10% of their diet should be fat
DOGS & CATS
Rabbits Best to use pellet type of commercial feed (concentrated feed) Avoid feeding too much leafy green vegetables
Pocket Pets Best to use pellet type commercial feed and keep diet
consistent If mixing a ration, have a wide range of food Various diets include:
Gerbils: need a little green food in diet Rats: can have dog food substituted Ferrets: can eat cat food Mice: will not overeat Guinea Pigs: need solid food to dull their teeth and a certain amount of vitamin C
RABBITS & POCKET PETS
Depending on their size, amphibians and reptiles prefer to eat animals (snakes eat mice, turtles eat meat, amphibians eat earthworms/insects) Tadpoles will eat pellets of rabbit, dog, or cat food Turtles – pieces of liver will do, but strawberries and other
fruits can also be fed Snakes in captivity can learn to eat canned dog/cat food Most lizards eat insects
AMPHIBIANS & REPTILES
Most birds prefer a diet of seeds Two basic types of seed included in a bird’s diet are cereal
seeds and oil seeds Fruit and nectar birds eat oranges, grapes, and apple slices
BIRDS
Diet is aff ected by water temperatureGenerally eat more when the water temperature is
higher Should be given a variety of foods so they don’t get bored Shrimp, krill, and plankton can be fed to larger fish Flakes are good for smaller fish Amount fish eat is related to water temperature, kind of fish, and stage of life Feed fish the amount they can eat in a few minutes to avoid contaminating water
FISH