Healthy diets for animals
(72)
The nutritional diversity that we can find among insects is extremely varied. Insects are a group of animals within the phylum of arthropods that are characterized by having three pairs of legs and two pairs of wings. Additionally, there are almost over a million different insect species in the world....
Knowing when a puppy will start eating food is something mother dogs know instinctively. Even with first-time mothers, they will know to meet all the dog's needs. These needs include ability to eliminate, keeping warm and, importantly, food for sustenance. The mother's body provides this sustenance through...
It is an unfortunately common sight to see fledgling birds on the ground, especially during feeding season. Whether they have been orphaned, rejected or simply fall due to inclement weather, many don't survive. If we happen upon them in enough time, they might just have a chance. While finding somewhere...
Toads are amphibians that belong to the order Anura. Physically, toads carry rough and dry skin, contrary to the smooth and moist texture of a frog’s body. Toads are experts in camouflage but also remain easy to recognize for their unmistakable croaking. Toads can be found almost anywhere in the world...
Gradually, pigeons are losing their "bad reputation" as flying rats and re-gaining popularity as pets. Pigeon breeding has been taking place for centuries, mainly thanks to the fact that pigeons can adapt easily, are incredibly intelligent birds, and carry a great predisposition to learning when positive...
Because rats are often associated with the transmission of various diseases, they are unfortunately not particularly popular. Contrary to what many believe, rats are excellent pets and companions to have. So, if you’ve just adopted a rat as a companion animal and are wondering about their feeding, this...
Tomatoes are used in all kinds of classic dishes, such as salads or stir-fries, among others. This fruit (which is often confused as a vegetable) carries many health benefits, including its high content of natural antioxidants and vitamins. But, can dogs eat tomatoes or are tomatoes toxic for dogs? Dogs can...
Did you know that starfish are among the most widely distributed marine animals in the world? Most starfish, or sea stars, live among deep ocean floors and for this reason, their habitat is unknown to many people. Starfish are incredibly interesting echinoderms who eat, reproduce and move in fascinating...
Frogs are one of the most widely known amphibians, being found almost everywhere on the planet. They come in a wide range of varieties and colors, but they share certain characteristics. Their natural habitat is often very specific to their various needs. Unfortunately, human encroachment on frog habitat is...
To ask the question ‘are dogs carnivores or omnivores?’ implies there is some confusion over the answer. This implication is correct. The debate involves many parties, including the commercial pet food industry, veterinarians, zoologists and pet owners. If we have adopted a dog into out family, we will know...
As with any dog breed, nutrition is incredibly important. While some people think dogs are straight carnivores, they are actually omnivorous animals. This means they eat various types of food for sustenance. However, meat contains a lot of the protein, fats and minerals dogs need for survival. Pugs are...
Sometimes known as a Mexican salamander or Mexican walking fish, the axolotl is an amphibian which has grown in popularity thanks in part to its adorableness. Memes and viral videos may have started the ball rolling, but genuine interest has followed suit. Unfortunately, such interest is a double edged...
A cat's nutritional needs are specific to their species, but there are many times we give them human food which they find delicious. Whether your particular gluten filled favorite is pizza, sandwiches, French toast or another, it is reasonable to ask yourself can cats eat bread? The simple answer is...
When it comes to feeding rabbits, many people immediately assume that lettuce and carrots will do the trick. However, feeding rabbits, specifically dwarf rabbits, is actually a little more complicated than a simple two ingredient diet. These rabbits require a specific diet in order to grow properly and healthil.
If...
Hamsters are burrowing rodents who are also considered to be lovely pets. It is true that these little animals are easier to care for than other pets like dogs or cats, however, this does not mean that they need no care. Hamster owners need to pay attention to their basic needs, especially their diet. A...
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. Italica) is a vegetable belonging to the Brassicaceae family. This vegetable family also includes the cauliflower, varieties of cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi and kale.
Other than its common uses in cooking, broccoli has numerous beneficial properties for the health of...
The Newfoundland is a giant, massive and imposing dog that exhibits a privileged muscular mass and an exuberant beauty. Of course, it is important to understand that all dogs, regardless of their age, race or sex, need a complete and balanced diet to maintain good health and to allow their physical, cognitive,...
There are many types of rewards or treats for dogs that we can find in specialized shops and supermarkets, as well as many we can find in our own home. The problem appears when we have to choose. Can my dog eat the same food as me? What is recommended to use as a reward when training?
To answer all these...
From the earliest stages of life, feeding a kitten should be balanced so that deficits do not generate problems in the future. A good diet will lead to great health and well-being for our cat.
Whether you've been bottle-feeding a kitten or your cat has been breastfeeding her own kittens, you'll be interested...
It's green, it's healthy and you were probably encouraged to eat a lot of it when you were a child. Do you enjoy eating broccoli now? This green vegetable is praised for its benefits for us humans, but there is a lot of speculation around whether it's suitable for our dogs. Some think dogs can eat raw broccoli...
Oats are one of the most popular breakfasts on the planet, being one of the healthiest and richest herbs around, whilst also offering plenty of health benefits. It is also a very economical food product, so it's a win win!
But can dogs have oats? Actually, the best thing about them is that not only...
Cats are carnivorous animals that prefer to eat several times a day instead of once, as if they did in the wild. In addition, they do not eat more than what they need. Even so, the amount of daily cat food depends on several factors, such as age, size, physical activity or personality of the animal. It...
If you have recently adopted a beagle you should know that you have gained a faithful, affectionate, active and energetic companion. If you have a spacious home and time to provide your dog with all the exercise they need, congratulations, you've found your ideal dog!
The specific care that beagles...
When such an endearing pet, like a German Shepherd puppy arrives home, everybody immediately focuses their love and affection towards it. Yes, all dogs need to feel loved, but German Shepherds as a dog breed, are particularly sensitive and receptive to displays of affection. This love and affection can...
When we welcome a pet into our home, we know that one of our primary responsibilities as owners is to offer them adequate food to ensure they enjoy a good quality of life. However, diet is not static: nutritional intake must always be adapted to our pet's different life stages.
One of the possible stages...
Kangaroos are herbivorous animals: they only consume vegetables and never meat. However, there are actually four different kangaroo species and they all have slightly different diets, of which different plant types are consumed.
As you know, kangaroos are native to the Land Down Under - that is, Australia....
As you can probably guess, white-tailed deer are not carnivores. These gentle herbivorous animals consume leaves, fruits, twigs, grass and acorns; they also have a diet of corn, lichens and alfalfa. In fact, the white-tailed deer's diet changes based on what kinds of foods are present in its environment and...
Are treats for dogs good? Are they healthy? How many times can you reward your dog with treats? Is giving treats the best method to train dogs?
We're sure you've heard these questions many times; you should know that the best way to educate, feed and care for your dog is by learning about their behavior and needs....
Elephants may be known for their memory, but there is yet another distinction that differentiates them in the animal world – their enormous appetite. Elephants consume between 150 to 170 kg of food on a daily basis. In fact, they spent most of their day feeding - up to 18 hours! These huge mammals eat...
Pet foxes are a rarity, although many people want the novelty of caring for one. As we explained in our article on foxes as pets, the fact remains that the best home for foxes is the wild. Although they make for interesting pets, it is always necessary to check whether you can keep one based on the laws in...
The pot-bellied pig has become an increasingly present pet in our homes: both for its likeable and loving personality and for its intelligence that makes it very receptive to training. Furthermore, the pot-bellied pig is an animal with a special charm and each pot-bellied pig has a well defined personality.
If...
The gray wolf (Canis Lupus), much like its close relative the domestic dog, is a predatory carnivorous mammal, although not exclusively so. Gray wolves are controversial animals; their wild beauty and power has fascinated humans for centuries, but they have been a major threat - and many people still...
There are many opinions about what is the best diet for dogs; some experts defend organic foods and homemade meals, while other experts defend the nutritional balance of dry feed. You can find many different types of dog food in the market, and depending on who you ask some of them aren't at all recommended.
Choosing...
Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) live in the frozen regions of the Northern Hemisphere, in the Arctic Circle. There is currently an estimated population of 20,000 polar bears, and their numbers have fallen drastically in recent years.
These bears have solitary habits and don't hibernate, except for mothers with...
Chinchillas are herbivorous rodents that have a very long lifespan, as they usually live for between 10 and 20 years. They are very social animals, especially among their own species, so it is always advisable to have more than one chinchilla living together in one place.
Their digestive system is quite delicate,...
Do you have a Siamese cat? If you'd like your pet to stay healthy, proper nutrition is essential. By providing an appropriate diet you ensure that your cat can be active and happy all its life.
In general, Siamese cats are healthy pets and not very difficult to care for. Apart from basic veterinary care...
Animals are classified according to different criteria, but one of the most common divisions is based on their diet: You've probably heard of carnivorous, herbivorous and omnivorous animals. Have you heard about granivorous animals, though?
Granivores, or "seed predators", are animals that feed mainly...
Many people keep canaries (Serinus canaria) as pet birds, as they make beautiful and cheerful companions. Giving a canary a good diet is a fundamental part of its care, as it directly affects the quality of its plumage, its health and its desire to sing.
Taking care of your pet's diet is one of your main responsibilities...
Taurine is one of the most important essential amino acids for the proper functioning of a cat's heart muscle, vision, digestive and reproductive system. Unlike other mammals, cats do need this amino acid to be present in their organism.
Unfortunately, cats cannot synthesize sufficient amounts of taurine...
Badgers are among the largest mustelids in the world. However, they are not too ferocious, unlike other much smaller species of the Mustelidae family, like stoats - tiny animals that display tremendous aggression - or minks.
There are eleven species of badgers in three different subfamilies, and they...
Back to top