Obj. 6.02: Distinguish feeding programs for small animals SPECIFIC DIETS OF SMALL ANIMALS

 The best feed is usually a commercial feed variety  Puppies need their diet higher in protein than adult dogs  Food intake is regulated by activity  Cats need twice as much protein as dogs  10% of their diet should be fat DOGS & CATS

 Rabbits  Best to use pellet type of commercial feed (concentrated feed)  Avoid feeding too much leafy green vegetables  Pocket Pets  Best to use pellet type commercial feed and keep diet consistent  If mixing a ration, have a wide range of food  Various diets include:  Gerbils: need a little green food in diet  Rats: can have dog food substituted  Ferrets: can eat cat food  Mice: will not overeat  Guinea Pigs: need solid food to dull their teeth and a certain amount of vitamin C RABBITS & POCKET PETS

 Depending on their size, amphibians and reptiles prefer to eat animals (snakes eat mice, turtles eat meat, amphibians eat earthworms/insects)  Tadpoles will eat pellets of rabbit, dog, or cat food  Turtles – pieces of liver will do, but strawberries and other fruits can also be fed  Snakes in captivity can learn to eat canned dog/cat food  Most lizards eat insects AMPHIBIANS & REPTILES

 Most birds prefer a diet of seeds  Two basic types of seed included in a bird’s diet are cereal seeds and oil seeds  Fruit and nectar birds eat oranges, grapes, and apple slices BIRDS

 Diet is affected by water temperature  Generally eat more when the water temperature is higher  Should be given a variety of foods so they don’t get bored  Shrimp, krill, and plankton can be fed to larger fish  Flakes are good for smaller fish  Amount fish eat is related to water temperature, kind of fish, and stage of life  Feed fish the amount they can eat in a few minutes to avoid contaminating water FISH