Animal Talk – July 2019

Toxic for birds

nutrition

H E ALTHTA LK A content cat is ...

... a well-fed cat.

T

here are various ways to find the right diet for your dog. You can

choose a brand of food based on:

• Your dog’s age – foods that are nutritionally balanced for dogs of a
  certain age.


• Your dog’s size – mini, small, medium, large or giant breeds.


• Your dog’s breed – a diet formulated to the needs of the breed, taking
  into account any specific problems noted.


• Your dog’s lifestyle – sporting/working dogs have different nutritional
  needs to companion animals.


• Your dog’s health – a therapeutic diet for a current or chronic illness
  (as diagnosed by a vet).
  Evaluate your dog’s current food based on the categories above and see
  which category the food fits into and if it meets the immediate nutritional
  needs of your dog. Consider how much you pay for the current food
  and how much you can afford. Never choose a product based on price
  alone. Always check the ingredient list and know what you are paying
  for. Cheaper foods may contain fillers that don’t provide good nutrients.
  Premium foods may cost more than supermarket brands but the higher
  nutritional content is more valuable for your pet. Aim to feed your dog the
  best quality food you can afford.
  Small animal veterinarian

Ideal food?

How do I know that my dog’s food is the right choice for him?

How long can I keep an
open tin or pouch of dog
food in the refrigerator
before it goes off?

Safely

storing food

C

anned pet food or food in
pouches should be treated
as you would any perishable
food item. Open cans can be kept
safely in the fridge for up to three
days. Remove the lid and seal the can with
a plastic can lid to protect the food. The lid will also keep it from
drying out and prevent odour in the fridge. Place a sticker on the
lid and write down the date of opening. Always use a clean spoon
to scoop food from the tin. Pouches should be resealed along the
plastic zipper. If the pouch does not have a re-sealable zip, remove
unused food and place it in a sealable plastic container. Add a
sticker with the date of opening.
Small animal veterinarian

T

he most dangerous of the common human foods for these birds is the

avocado. Even a mouthful or two of avocado can cause severe heart

damage in a parrot. Chocolate, dairy products and

anything containing caffeine, alcohol or lots

of salt and spices are not suitable for birds.

Grapes and raisins, just like most other fruit,

are safe.

Dr Dorianne Elliott, veterinarian

Can I feed avocado to my parrot? What other human food should I avoid?

If your pet doesn’t finish

his food, immediately

refrigerate it or carefully

dispose of it.