Caring for your Pets
Can I feed my kitten or puppy the same food as the other cats or dogs in the house?
No - puppies and kittens are still growing and need a different food to give them all they need to grow up healthy and strong. Large and giant breed puppies (like Labradors, German Shepherds, Great Danes and Boerboels) needs an even more specific large breed puppy food. Puppies should also be fed more often, 3 to 4 times a day, as compared to twice daily for adults
Why can't I feed my cat dog food?
Cats can't make a certain amino acid, called taurine in their own bodies. Cat food contains extra taurine, found in meat. A cat will get very sick if it only eats dog food without extra taurine.
How do I know how much food my pet should be eating?
All registered pet foods are required, by law, to have a feeding guideline printed on the pack. Foods can differ quite a lot in the amount that must be fed. If you are not sure, ask your local vet - or ask an adult to look for you.
Just keeping the bowl full is not a good way of feeding your pets. Rather split the daily amount into portions and feed at least twice a day. This way you can really see how much they are eating and when.
Each pet should have their OWN BOWL and be fed separately so as to ensure that no one steals from anyone else.
Just keeping the bowl full is not a good way of feeding your pets. Rather split the daily amount into portions and feed at least twice a day. This way you can really see how much they are eating and when.
Each pet should have their OWN BOWL and be fed separately so as to ensure that no one steals from anyone else.
Are bones good for my pet?
NO! It is traditional to give dog bones. Many places sell bones for dogs to chew and dogs to enjoy it, but, bones actually damage your dogs teeth and may get stuck in their teeth, throat, chest and intestines.
Even ground up bones or boiled bones can be harmful. Bones can also cause constipation. Rather give them other things to chew, like rawhides.
Even ground up bones or boiled bones can be harmful. Bones can also cause constipation. Rather give them other things to chew, like rawhides.
What should we avoid feeding our dogs, cats and birds?
Dogs and Cats
Chocolate, Coffee, Caffeine
Xylitol sweetener (some chewing gums)
Onions, Garlic and Chives
Macadamia nuts
Alcohol
Avocado (dogs will scavenge from a tree)
Grapes and raisins
Left-over bone (raw or cooked)
Fatty and salty foods
Potatoes (especially green ones) and tamatoes
Chocolate, Coffee, Caffeine
Xylitol sweetener (some chewing gums)
Onions, Garlic and Chives
Macadamia nuts
Alcohol
Avocado (dogs will scavenge from a tree)
Grapes and raisins
Left-over bone (raw or cooked)
Fatty and salty foods
Potatoes (especially green ones) and tamatoes
Birds
Chocolates, Caffeine
Onions
Apple seeds, Peach pips, Apricot pips
Alcohol
Avocado
Mushrooms
Dried uncooked beans
Salt (or salty snacks)
Tomatoe or potato leaves
Chocolates, Caffeine
Onions
Apple seeds, Peach pips, Apricot pips
Alcohol
Avocado
Mushrooms
Dried uncooked beans
Salt (or salty snacks)
Tomatoe or potato leaves
Rather only feed your pet a specific food made for them - that way your can't make a mistake!
Is my home and garden suitable for my pet?
All animals need shelter from weather.
Heat, cold, sun, wind, rain and, in some places, even snow can be careful to our pets if they are exposed for too long.
Outside: Make sure that your pets, especially dogs are safely shut on your property, to make sure they can't get out and get run over or get into a fight with other dogs.
Some plants in our garden can also be poisonous. Cycads, if chewed by puppies can kill them and lilies are poisonous to cats.
Inside: Don't leave your toys lying around. Small children's toys may be swallowed (especially by puppies) and get stuck inside. This could mean that they have to have an operation to have the toy removed!
Be careful of doors that can slam on tails. A sharp knife with some tasty food left on to can cut your cat's tongue and hot stove plates can burn their feet.
Heat, cold, sun, wind, rain and, in some places, even snow can be careful to our pets if they are exposed for too long.
Outside: Make sure that your pets, especially dogs are safely shut on your property, to make sure they can't get out and get run over or get into a fight with other dogs.
Some plants in our garden can also be poisonous. Cycads, if chewed by puppies can kill them and lilies are poisonous to cats.
Inside: Don't leave your toys lying around. Small children's toys may be swallowed (especially by puppies) and get stuck inside. This could mean that they have to have an operation to have the toy removed!
Be careful of doors that can slam on tails. A sharp knife with some tasty food left on to can cut your cat's tongue and hot stove plates can burn their feet.
What about caged pets?
Make sure the cage / tank / enclosure is big enough for the type of pet, and is also escape proof.
Make sure there is enough to do in the cage - depending on the type of animal, this can mean toys, runs, exercise wheels, logs or twigs to climb, water baths, rocks to tan on, special lights or heaters. Study up what your pet will need and get it all ready before you bring them home.
Make sure there is enough to do in the cage - depending on the type of animal, this can mean toys, runs, exercise wheels, logs or twigs to climb, water baths, rocks to tan on, special lights or heaters. Study up what your pet will need and get it all ready before you bring them home.