Animal food

Monkeys live in a wide range of environments, from tropical rainforests to savannas and even urban areas. While most monkeys are omnivores, their diets vary significantly depending on the species and the available food sources. Some rely on fruits and seeds, while others eat more leaves or insects....

Dragon fruit, with its vibrant colors and unique appearance, has become a popular health food for humans, packed with vitamins and antioxidants. But as a dog owner, you might wonder if this exotic fruit is safe for your furry friend. While some fruits are beneficial for dogs, others can be harmful. In this...

Marzipan is a food which is not suitable for dogs. When giving any of our own food to our canine, there are two major considerations we need the make. The first is whether there are any toxic compounds which can cause poisoning in the dog. These can vary in intensity, but they all need to be avoided....

If you are thinking of offering fruit to your dog, it is essential that you first know which ones are beneficial and which can cause harm. Certain fruits may be potentially lethal due to the presence of compounds which are toxic for dogs. Others are harmful because they provide the wrong nutrition for the...

Can dogs eat tamarind candy? Tamarind snow? Or even tamarind itself? These are common questions for dog owners, especially in regions like South America and Asia, where tamarind is widely consumed. While tamarind is a fruit packed with health benefits, it also contains substances that are harmful to dogs,...

While we can enjoy them as part of a healthy diet, some may wonder if chickpeas are good for dogs. Dogs can eat chickpeas, but it is important to know that the canine diet is different to our own. If we do give chickpeas to our dog, we need to ensure we do so in such a way as to maintain their digestive...

Betta fish are colorful fish originally from Southeast Asia. Their vibrant colors and flowing fins have made them popular pets worldwide. While a clean tank is essential, a balanced diet is equally important for maintaining their vibrant appearance and overall health. Understanding their dietary needs is...

Jicama, often referred to as the "Mexican turnip," is a crisp and refreshing root vegetable native to Mexico and Central America.Its crisp, white flesh has a mild, sweet flavor and a crunchy texture, making it a popular addition to salads, salsas, and snacks. While primarily enjoyed by humans, many...

Guava is a tropical fruit that is native to the Americas and comes from the tree of the same name. Ripe guava is characterized by having a partially rounded shape, similar to that of a pear or a lemon. Its skin color ranges between greenish and yellowish, but its flesh is a contrasting bright pink color. It...

Hailing from North America, zucchini is a versatile summer squash beloved by humans and, fortunately, safe for dogs to enjoy in moderation. This summer squash, a member of the Cucurbitaceae family alongside pumpkins, offers a wealth of health benefits for both humans and canines. Packed with essential...

Ensuring our dog receives a proper diet means avoiding the wrong food as much as it does providing the right food. Many of the foods we enjoy are simply not suitable for our canines. This could be due to providing the wrong kind of nutrition, but it can also be due to potential toxicity. For example,...

Nectarines are known for being delightfully sweet and juicy, making them a refreshing summer treat. We all love treating our pets, and sharing a bite of our own food can seem like a natural way to show affection and strengthen the bond. However, what's perfectly healthy for us humans can sometimes be harmful...

The Belgian Shepherd is a large dog with an athletic frame and a muscular build. They are beautiful dogs, but they can also be imposing. With such a large dog, you might expect a large appetite. You would be correct. These dogs will eat more than the average dog and this is something we need to bear in...

For many dog owners, the act of mealtime is often as straightforward as filling a bowl and witnessing their dog joyfully consume its contents. However, for some, this routine takes an intriguing twist. Despite being otherwise enthusiastic eaters, their dogs flatly reject their food unless it's presented...

Whether cats can eat olives is not a concern about toxicity, but one of nutritional benefit. The safety of cats consuming olives is dependent on how it occurs. Olives are a type of fruit from the olive tree which are very bitter when raw. For this reason, they are cured and preserved to allow them to...

Seals are an incredibly diverse and fascinating group of marine mammals, comprising over 30 different species found worldwide. Seals play a vital role in maintaining the delicate balance of marine ecosystems. As apex predators, they help to regulate prey populations, preventing the overexploitation...

Dogs can have serious trouble digesting bones. The idea of a dog chewing a bone is something which has been reinforced by popular culture, especially in cartoon depictions of dogs. Many pet stores and online retailers will still offer real animal bones for chewing. It is a practice which likely originated from...

Choosing the right diet for a dog with cancer is something which will need to be assessed with your veterinarian. Various treatments are used to treat cancer, the strength of which varies according to different factors. Whether the cancer has metastasized is one such important consideration. With treatments...

Giraffes, with their towering height and graceful long necks, are among the most iconic creatures on Earth. These gentle giants are herbivores, meaning their diet consists solely of plants. But their unique feeding habits, characterized by both elegance and versatility, set them apart from other animals. In...

Corn is a popular food that is often used in commercial dog foods. However, many pet owners are wondering if corn is safe for dogs to eat. The short answer is yes, corn can be a safe and healthy snack for dogs in moderation. However, there are some important things to keep in mind before giving corn to...

Cats can eat papaya, but it is not a food they will need to eat regularly. Papaya contains many beneficial nutrients for humans and is noted for being a particularly sweet tropical fruit. Unfortunately, not all the benefits of papaya for humans can be applied to cats. This is partly due to the nutritional...

As pet owners, we often find joy in offering our feline companions a taste of our favorite treats. Coconut, with its exotic allure and potential health benefits, might pique our curiosity about whether it can be enjoyed by our cats too. While coconut does contain some nutrients that could appeal to cats,...

Cats can eat chayote without it causing them any harm. This does not mean it is necessary for their diet, but it is possible it can be given as an irregular treat. Although chayote alone will not meet their nutritional needs, cats eating chayote can provide certain benefits when given as part of a balanced...

Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus), also known as the weero/weiro, are delightful granivorous birds with an appetite for a diverse range of foods. To ensure their optimal health and well-being, it's essential to provide cockatiels with a balanced and varied diet that includes feeds, fruits, vegetables,...

If a dog is hungry all the time, many people will simply think they are being a dog. The voracity of canines is well known to anyone who shares their life with one, especially when there is something they consider particularly tasty around. This won't be the case with all dogs and no dog is likely to maintain...

Chicken broth has been a common ingredient in human cuisine for centuries, thanks to its comforting and nourishing properties. It's often used as a base for soups, stews, and other dishes. However, many pet owners may wonder if it's safe for their furry companions to consume. Although chicken broth may...

As a cat owner, you want to make sure that your furry friend is getting all the nutrients they need to stay healthy and happy. While cats have a reputation for being picky eaters, there are some human foods that they may be tempted to try, such as sausages. But can cats safely consume sausages, or are...

Feeding raw chicken feet to a dog may seem strange or even unappetizing to some dog owners, as it is not common in many Western cultures. Feeding chicken feet can be a healthy and nutritious treat, as they contain glucosamine and chondroitin, which can help improve joint health. However, keep in mind that...

You may know them as the musical fruit, but beans are actually a legume. There are many different species of bean which we eat regularly in our diet, some varieties being different cultivars of the same species. For this reason, many people may know certain beans by different names. We are discussing...

Corn is a widely consumed food and a very versatile ingredient for many recipes. You have probably been in the situation where you have corn in the house and wonder if it is safe for your cat. The truth is, yes, corn is safe for cats. In fact, many commercial cat foods contain corn because it is non-toxic...

Figs are the fruit of the fig tree, although more specifically they are their infructescence. This is because they are not one fruit, but an arrangement of fruits which are naturally adapted for better seed dispersal. They are a delicious fruit which are often considered a delicacy. Although some people...

Also known as mirliton or choko, chayote (Sechium edule) is a vegetable from the family Cucurbitaceae family, commonly known as the gourd family. In some areas, it is simply known as a squash. The name derives from the Nahuatl term chayotl which means ‘thorny gourd’. This is due to its similarities with other...

Gelatin is a clear, tasteless protein obtained from cows or pigs. Gelatin is a common ingredient in soups, broths, sauces, gummy candies, marshmallows, cosmetics, and medicines. It is also used in personal care products, cosmetics, drug capsules and photography. It should not be confused with jelly or Jell-O, the...

Cashews are creamy, protein-rich nuts high in fiber, heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, and immune-boosting nutrients like zinc and magnesium. The health benefits of cashews are well known, but can they benefit our dogs? Like many other healthy foods for humans, cashews are okay for your dog to eat. However,...

Avocados have become a staple in many households around the world. Whether in a salad, on toast or as guacamole, avocados are praised as a healthy, creamy alternative to many fattening foods. Their high monounsaturated fat content and antioxidant properties have made them extremely popular in the health and...

Our cat's playtime often manifests behaviors related to hunting. They can chase a feathered lure or even strike at moving shadows, just as a cat in the wild would attack their prey. This behavior implies animal-based protein is part of their diet, but it doesn't tell us everything about their nutritional...

Zebras belong to the family Equidae, which includes a total of three living species. Their similarity to other mammals such as donkeys and horses is no coincidence, as they share the same genus, Equus. Zebras are known for their distinctive black and white striped coat that is unique to each animal. They...

Vitamin K is one of the vitamins that both dogs and humans need to consume in their diet to stay healthy. This fat-soluble nutrient is crucial for the synthesis of clotting proteins in our dog's body that allow them to recover from injuries. In other words, vitamin K has the ability to clot blood, which...

Vitamin D is an essential and fundamental vitamin for numerous functions in a dog's body. It is particularly useful in synthesizing other vitamins as it helps to address the balance of calcium and phosphorus in the bones. It also affects the function of the kidneys and parathyroid gland, as well as bone mineralization,...

The orca or killer whale (Orcinus orca) is a marine animal that belongs to the cetacean group (Cetacea). Although commonly called whales, they belong to the Delphinidae family, which includes dolphins. Killer whales live in all the oceans of the world and migrate from place to place depending on the availability...

As long as it is consumed in the right quantity and form, tuna is a source of high-quality protein and unsaturated fatty acids for dogs. Although it is available both fresh and canned, not all forms of presentation are recommended for dog diets. Continue reading this AnimalWised article to find out if dogs...

The pancreas is a small but very important organ. Its main function is to secrete digestive enzymes and other substances that help in the absorption of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. It is also responsible for the production of hormones that are extremely important for the regulation of a dog's metabolism,...

For humans, cherries are not only delicious fresh, but they can be consumed in various ways. Whether dried or as a maraschino cherry, they can be consumed on their own or as a part of various dishes. When eaten fresh, cherries can be nutritious as they contain various beneficial nutrients and antioxidants....

As summer approaches, we often look for watery and refreshing fruits to help cool us down. One of the most popular summer fruits is watermelon, an ancient fruit believed to have been first domesticated in northeast Africa over 4,000 years ago. This large, round fruit has a green rind and bright red flesh,...

Blackberries are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and natural pigments that are sometimes described as a ‘superfood’ for humans. They are great as a supplement to almost any meal of the day. Unfortunately, not all food that is beneficial to humans provides the same benefits to our dogs. This is because...

Iron in cats, just like in humans, is a very important mineral for the proper functioning of the body. When iron is deficient, red blood cells do not develop as they should. When there is not enough iron in the bone marrow, the cells produced are too small and their capacity to carry oxygen is too low....

Tooth loss is relatively common in older dogs, especially when their oral health and hygiene have not been well maintained throughout their lives. A dog may still have some teeth, but even some tooth loss can make eating difficult. If a dog loses their canines, they can have difficulty tearing tough...

Felines are obligate carnivores. In the wild, cats are capable of obtaining all their essential nutrients from their prey. In the domestic environment, it is their caregivers who need to provide the right diet to meet their nutritional needs. Commercial feed is formulated in such a way as to ensure these needs...

Mushrooms are a large and diverse group of fungi. Some mushrooms are very tasty and nutritious, while others are deadly poisonous. Therefore, it is important that you know which mushrooms are which. Fortunately, store-bought mushrooms are safe for people and dogs, and they are a good source of fiber,...

Decreased appetite (hyporexia) or complete absence of appetite (anorexia) is a clinical sign that can appear relatively frequently in older dogs. The reasons are varied, but can be due to pathological, psychological or neurological causes. Generally speaking, senior dogs have less physical resistance...