Articles
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Vegetarian diets have been successfully fed to dogs and there are medical situations in which a vegetarian diet may be recommended for a dog. However, in all cases, it is important to ensure that the diet is nutritionally adequate to support the dog's life stage and overall health.
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Prairie dogs require a diet high in fiber. As they are hind-gut fermenters, they need alfalfa up to one year of age and timothy hay after one year of age, as well as a high-quality prairie dog pellet. Treats should be kept to a minimum as prairie dogs are prone to obesity.
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The pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) gene, if mutated, can contribute to increased body fat and body weight and increased food motivation in affected dogs. At this time, this gene mutation has only been found in the Labrador Retriever and Flat-coated Retriever and affects the majority of those working as service dogs. This handout explains how the POMC gene mutation was discovered, how it impacts affected dogs, and how you can support your dog if affected.
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Though every puppy is an individual, large, and giant breed puppies in particular require an individualized approach to nutrition, since they have some different needs compared to small and medium breed dogs. When it comes to puppy food, one size does not necessarily fit all.
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Feeding raw food to cats is potentially dangerous - not only to the cat eating the raw food, but also to other pets and humans in the environment, due to the high likelihood of bacterial contamination. Raw food may also not be complete and balanced and could lead to nutrient deficiencies or toxicities. Consuming raw food with bones can lead to life-threatening foreign body obstruction.
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This handout discusses the pros and cons of feeding a raw food diet to your dog. Topics included are nutritional imbalances, potential bacterial contamination, the risk of foodborne illnesses involving both you and your pet, and other concerns that may arise from feeding raw food.
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Swellings on or around the joints in reptiles can be an indication of uric acid deposits in the area. This condition is referred to as gout. Gout is often painful and may also affect internal organs. Treatment will require medications and sometimes surgery.
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Pet rodents have slightly different nutritional requirements depending on the species. All must be fed a good, high-quality rodent chow available at pet stores. This handout discusses common questions about feeding pet rodents.
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The "ancestral diet" for dogs and cats is a broad term for a feeding plan that generally mimics what a wolf or wild cat might consume in the wilderness. In practice, there is great variability in nutrients, ingredients, and safety considerations for such food. This handout reviews these considerations.
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Snakes are carnivores. Some eat warm-blooded prey (rodents, rabbits, birds), while others eat insects, amphibians, eggs, other reptiles, fish, earthworms, or slugs. This handout answers some common questions about feeding snakes.