All pets need to be fed properly, though we always have the question of what that might be. There are individuals who give their pet’s human food, while others strictly give pet food. We will concentrate on dogs, cats, and rabbits for proper feeding.

Rabbits How many times have you heard that rabbits like their vegetables? This is true. Most rabbits need a steady diet of rabbit food that includes lettuce and carrots. Most of the time we raise our rabbits on pellets, however, this may not be fibrous enough and can cause obesity. A steady diet of hay, vegetables, and pellets will lead to a healthy rabbit.

Dogs Is it wise to feed your dog human food? Most dogs are related to the wolf family a very carnivorous bunch, which means they need to have meat in their diet. This does not mean human food is the correct food for them. It is best to find a dog food product where the first ingredient is meat. Make sure it is real meat and not some processed substitute. Feeding your dog human food is a bad idea because it can be too greasy for them and block their arteries. Dogs have very sensitive digestive tracks so they are susceptible to diarrhea and upset stomachs if you change their food. It is best to find a dog food you prefer and that is healthy for them. You also want to keep them on the same food. Changing food can cause problems. If you feel you need to change food, you should slowly integrate the new food with the old until you have fully replaced the old. This should take two weeks or a little more. Dogs when full grown should be fed once a day at the same time.

Cats Cats are great hunters if you let them explore the outdoor world. They will often find mice, birds, and other animals to gain protein. Like a dog, your cat needs a consistent diet. You should find a cat food that has the proper amounts of protein. Cats can also have a very sensitive digestive system. Finding the right food may be difficult and take a few tries. If they have a smelly litter box, you will need to change their food. This is a sure sign they are not receiving a proper diet. When you change their food you will want to integrate it slowly over two weeks. Cats also need the vitamins from milk, though our processed milk can be too rich for them, they do sell milk for cats in the pet stores. Another idea is occasionally giving them a small piece of cheese to help with their dietary needs, however you should try and find pet food that fits all of their needs. Grass is also available for indoor cats and may be a needed to get rid of hairballs. Cats eat grass when they have an upset stomach. The grass will allow the cats to rid themselves of the problem and can help them cough up hairballs.

Picking the right food for your pet will often mean not feeding them human food, but checking the ingredients of pet food found in the stores. You want to keep you pet just as healthy as you would want to keep yourself. Proper nutrition for any animal is important to having your pet around for many years. Some types of pets are more susceptible to disease, like dogs with heart problems, but they can be monitored through proper care.

Small birds can be a very good choice for your young child’s first pet.

Birds are very interesting pets, easy to care for, they take up very little room, and are inexpensive to the pocketbook.

Most people don’t know that Pet birds make wonderful companions, and with proper training, can show as much affection for their owners as cats or dogs. Another good point of owning a pet bird is that they take care of most of their grooming needs on their own by preening their feathers on a daily basis, and because birds are very intelligence they are far less demanding to train than other animals. Also unknown to most folks, birds are not considered pets by most landlords who rent apartments.

Even the most exotic pet birds, like parrots and macaws, are relatively inexpensive to maintain. High-quality pellet feed generally costs no more than a few dollars that delivers all the nutrients your pet birds need to maintain good health. Your child can even socialize with their pet bird during meals by sharing fruits and vegetables with them.

Finches and Canaries are popular types of small pet birds. With most varieties measuring around 5 inches or less, Canaries and Finches require less space than most other bird species. Finches and Canaries are known as softbills or waxbills, parrots, are hookbills. A Finch or Canary can live for up to 10 years.

Lovebirds are one of the smallest known parrot species. These little birds are beautiful and should not be overlooked in favor of larger parrots, as the larger parrots can be more demanding. Lovebirds are around 6 inches long. Lovebird owners will tell you that these birds are just as intelligent and have the same type of personality as the largest of macaws. These birds are quiet, and make them ideal companions for those who live in apartments or condominiums. The Lovebird has a life expectancy of up to 20 years.