Progress is surely being made in the area of avian nutrition. It used to be when I wrote about how important it was for pet birds to eat a varied diet that included pelleted foods, high-quality people food and very little seed, that was news to many bird lovers.
Now, I get a different response to that message. "I know we're not supposed to be feeding our cockatiel a seed-only diet," wrote one reader who seemed to typify the majority of letters I got after my recent column on proper bird diets. "But we can't get her to eat anything else! How can we convert her to a healthier diet? Should we just starve her until she gives in?"
Last question first: Don't starve your bird. They need a constant source of food to stay alive.
The approach for converting a bird to a healthier diet needs to be gradual, encouraging, and sometimes a little bit sneaky. You can usually convert even the most extreme seed junkie to a better diet if you're patient and persistent.
Here are some tips:
-- Confirm good health. Before messing with your pet's diet, make sure he's in good health by having a veterinarian with experience in matters avian go over him thoroughly. Birds are adept at hiding illness, and the stress of a change in diet may be too much for a bird who's sick. A knowledgeable veterinarian will also have some suggestions for foods that might best suit your bird and other tips to help with the conversion.
-- Combine the old and the new. Mix what your bird has been eating with the pellets and other foods he should be eating instead. It is important to remember to feed your bird this mixture out of a single bowl to help form a positive association between old food and new.
-- Gradually reduce seeds. Try starting with a 50/50 blend of seeds and pellets for two to four weeks, and then reduce the percentage of seeds slowly over time. Vary the amounts of pellets, fruit, veggies and seed you offer each day. Be inconsistent in what your bird can expect to see in his food bowl -- it'll keep your bird busy checking for the jackpot of food he likes. Even if the offerings aren't all he dreams of, he's at the food bowl, so he just might eat.
-- Feed new foods in the morning. Birds are the most hungry when they first wake up, so offer pellets and other health foods exclusively at the start of the day before adding seed to the mix later in the day.
-- Encourage mimicry. Birds learn by watching. If you have one bird who is on a healthy diet, let your other birds watch this healthy behavior. Another option: Eat healthy people foods in front of your bird and offer some to your bird. He may try what you're eating just because you seem to like it.
During the conversion, be sure you observe your bird eating and drinking, make sure that he is passing normal droppings and check the muscle on both sides of his keel bone (which runs right down the middle of his chest) regularly to be sure he's maintaining weight.
Don't be in a hurry to change your pet's diet -- follow his lead in determining how fast to reduce the amount of seed in his diet. Any problems? Check in with an avian veterinarian for more targeted assistance.
PETS ON THE WEB
Unless you work out of a home office, chances are you don't get to have your pets with you while you earn a living. Not to worry! For an anytime kitty fix, visit www.broenink-art.nl/maukie.swf. The site doesn't have a name that I can tell, and gives no credit to its creator, but what you'll find there will brighten the day of any cat lover: a graphic representation of a tuxedo-marked kitten (with vivid green eyes) who responds with enthusiasm to being petted and bats playfully at the cursor if teased. A time waster? Sure, but what fun!
THE SCOOP
Will your senior dog welcome or loathe the introduction of a new puppy to the household? In general, older dogs who are still fit and full of life get the most out of the energy a new puppy brings to a family, while debilitated oldsters enjoy such rambunctious company less. If you do choose to add a puppy, be sure to monitor interactions. Be sure the youngster isn't pestering or hurting your senior dog, and make sure to continue giving your older pet plenty of one-on-one attention.
QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK
Q: In a recent column you said that birds should be fed on pellets, not primarily on seeds. Although you didn't specifically state "pet birds" or "tame birds," I gather that this column was aimed at people who own pet birds. Do you extend this same advice to those of us who maintain backyard feeders for wild birds? Seems like if it's the right diet for pet birds, it might be the right diet for wild birds, too. What do you recommend? -- S.N, via e-mail
A: You're right: I was talking about birds kept as pets, specifically parrots (a category that includes parakeets and cockatiels).
When feeding wild birds, remember that what you give them is a supplement to their diet, not their entire diet (although the proportions vary by season). Birds kept as pets don't get to forage on their own for appropriate foods, while wild birds still do. That's why seeds are fine to add to the diet of your backyard visitors, but nutritionally balanced pellets should be the mainstay of your pet bird's diet. (Along with healthy "people food" such as fruits, vegetables, breads, pasta and so on.)
A good resource for those who feed wild birds is the National Bird-Feeding Society (www.birdfeeding.org), which offers tips on creating a safe and inviting backyard habitat, what to feed to attract birds and how to discourage squirrels, rats and other unwanted visitors.
Q: Usually it's pretty easy to tell if your dog is sick. But what about a cat? I have a 3-year-old purebred Manx who I've had since he was a baby, and I was wondering if there are any easy ways to determine when my cat is not feeling well. –- I.K., via e-mail
A: It's generally true that the lower down the food chain you are, the better it is to hide any sign of illness that might attract the attention of a predator looking for an easy meal. That's why dogs don't worry much about hiding illness or pain -- even the small ones are genetically designed to think they are big wolves! Cats are interesting in that they are predators who are also small enough to be prey, so they can be quite adept at hiding signs of illness.
Cats are also creatures of habit, and if a cat's habits change, an illness could be the reason. Any change -– even a subtle one -- in appearance, habits or behavior could signify illness in your cat. This could mean anything from the cat who suddenly isn't grooming himself very well, to one who's losing weight, missing the litter box or vocalizing more or less. Your cat should look healthy, with a glossy coat, eyes bright and clean, nose free of discharge and a graceful, easy and powerful manner to how he moves.
It's a good idea to become familiar with what's normal for your healthy cat by getting in the habit of grooming or otherwise going over him on at least a weekly basis. To make the job easier, keep a simple log so you can compare what you find to what your cat was like previously and so notice subtle changes over time.
I also find with my animals I develop a sense when a pet is "off" that often turns up to be something that requires treatment. I guess over the years I've just gotten used to paying close enough attention that when changes are just developing, I notice them early and have my pets checked out. My "Cats for Dummies" co-author Dr. Paul Pion calls animals who are brought in on such owner hunches "ADR" pets, for "Ain't Doin' Right."
If you pay close attention to changes and trust your instincts when it's time to call the veterinarian, you'll be able to stay on top of things when it comes to your cat's health.
Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies," "Cats for Dummies" and "Birds for Dummies." She is also affiliated with the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or send e-mail to writetogina(at)spadafori.com.
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