Animal Talk – July 2019

nutrition

H E ALTHTA LK

Feeding instructions

N

ot keeping to the feeding instructions is a common mistake pet

owners make and it can have a negative effect on your pet’s health.

Always follow the recommended daily allowance printed on the pet food bag

or tin, unless your vet specifically advises you to change it based on your

pet’s individual needs.

Pet food manufacturers have calculated the daily energy needs of the

pet and what is provided by the food. By following these you can ensure

that your pet is getting what he requires. If you feed more than the

recommended amount, your pet may gain weight which can lead to obesity.

Feeding less can lead to poor body condition.

In most cases the manufacturer indicates the total required grams the pet

needs per day and you need to split this into the number of meals you feed

your pet. Don’t guess the amount either, rather measure it out so you know

exactly how much to give.

Small animal veterinarian

Why should I stick to the feeding instructions on the bag?

H

amsters store food in their cheek pouches. These pouches fill up and stretch and

can make your hamster’s head look twice its normal size! When wild hamsters

forage for food, they pack food into the pouches to take back to the den for storage.

Your pet hamster may do the same or even move bedding around his cage this way! This

doesn’t mean that cheek pouches can’t cause health issues. Cuts can lead to an infection

inside the pouch, which may lead to an abscess. If the cheek pouch doesn’t empty

properly, it can become impacted. If your hamster’s pouches look filled for an extended

time, rather have it checked by your vet.

Small animal veterinarian

Hamster’s stuffed mouth

Is it dangerous for a hamster to stuff his mouth?

Food for

fussy bird

What should I do with my African Grey who

only wants to eat fruit and nothing else?

A

ll pets need a balanced diet and in the case of African Grey parrots, they need to eat a variety of

foods to supply correct levels of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. A combination

of fruit and vegetables (including green veg) should only account for around 20 to 25% of your bird’s diet.

First up, your need to rule out possible illness, so see an avian veterinarian for a full health check.

A seeds-only or fruit-and-veg-only diet isn’t a balanced diet for parrots. The introduction of a quality

organic pellet, manufactured from a combination of fruit, vegetables and seeds, will greatly improve your

pet’s current diet.

Getting a fussy bird to try them can be a challenge, but to start with, mix in the pellets with chopped

pieces of fruit and vegetables that your bird will eat. You can also try hand-feeding the pellets or look for

fun ways to entice him, like hiding pellets inside fruit he enjoys.

Small animal veterinarian

GOOD TO KNOW!
When considering feeding a raw
diet, ensure that you thoroughly
wash your hands, work surfaces and
utensils after handling raw meat.