Personal note: We have recently added a bird to our family. We had birds for several years, but it has been six years since our last bird went by. In refreshing my knowledge of bird feed something interesting me. Daily fresh food with kibble is a veterinarian who is recommended for birds, but not for cats and dogs.
In a similar circumstance as dogs and cats, there are several pelleted diets (kibble) for birds. These Bird Kibble options are available in different price ranges, different flavors and different quality levels (such as 100% organic). Just as with cat and dog kibble, a pelleted bird diet is to provide a balanced diet (including the necessary species-specific nutrients).
But unlike cats and dogs, veterinarians strongly encourage bird owners to add fresh food to their birdie kibble diets.
From Veterinary Partners: “While birds may have some seeds without problems – given as a treatment – their diet should be 60% formulated pellets and 40% vegetables. A 100% diet is rarely healthy either.”
North Carolina State Veterinary Hospital tells Bird Owners: “The majority of your bird diet should be a pelleted complete diet supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables.” Veterinary School recommends feeding a parrot “20-30%” Fresh food together with a kibble diet.
And it is not just birds where veterinarians encourage fresh food that is added to a pelleted diet. (Mars Petcare -owned) VCA -Hospital gives this advice for rabbit owners: “A pet canit's diet can be supplemented with 1/4 to 1/2 cup different deciduous vegetables each day. Variation is important.”
Why is the usual advice from veterinarians recommend that you add fresh food daily for other pet species, but mostly unusual for cats and dogs?
Maybe the answer to that question is … money. Money out of the pockets of pet manufacturers (those in veterinarians' ears).
If all cat and dog owners fed their pets proposed for birds by North Carolina State Veterinary Hospital …
60-70% commercial food-20-30% fresh food (from your refrigerator) -5% candy
… This would result in 30-40% less sales of commercial pet food. Billions of dollars minus sales every year.
Research on the health benefit of adding fresh food:
In 2005, Purdue University conducted a study with Scottish terrier and their risk of bladder cancer. They found that by adding fresh vegetables to the dog's diet several times a week, the cancer risk decreased significantly. “The results indicate that consumption of some vegetables can prevent or slow down the development of TCC in Scottish terriers.”
Ask your veterinarian about adding some fresh food to your pet's diet. If they give advice against it, Ask them why!
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author buyers watch out, co -authors dinner pawsible
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