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