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Pawbly | 9 years ago
This Is A Serious Question, I’m Curious. I Feel That Pet Food These Days Isn’t…

This is a serious question, I’m curious. I feel that pet food these days isn’t that nutritious, and dogs and cats should be hunting for their own food instead of being given this crappy foul tasting “wet food”. In the future, I wanted to buy rabbits, mice, and rats and put them in an enclosure with my dogs to teach them to hunt. Would this be legal? Because I don’t see anything wrong or inhumane about this seeing as people buy live mice for their snakes to eat. So why don’t we do this with dogs and cats? Surely wet food isn’t as good for them?

8 Responses

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  1. Anonymous

    instead of buying them from pet stores, look into reptile supply.  they will sell frozen/thawed.  i also cannot say this would be a nutritionally complete diet.  better to fully research raw feeding and put meals together that ARE nutritionally complete.  besides, your house pet does not need to learn to hunt…and depending on the breed of your dog(s), they may fail miserably in this task.  feed a high quality kibble or feed raw, do not feed live rodents.

    and yes, this is considered inhumane, especially considering how it’s basically one step away from animal fighting.  can’t you see how that is problematic?

    it’s inhumane to feed live to reptiles, too…inhumane and irresponsible, as the rats are just as likely to do serious damage to the animals they were intended to feed.

    i cannot fathom why you would only give wet food to your dog.  does your dog have a lot of missing teeth?  or is there a medical reason you’re feeding wet?  

  2. Anonymous

    oh, and another thing: cats are an invasive species, especially in the UK. they already kill too many animals for sport. they do not need to be encouraged to kill for food.

  3. debra yuhasz

    A domestic dog is not a wolf even though they may have ancestry in common. A domestic dog does not have the digestive tract of wolves. Raw fed dogs are fed raw meat but they are not expected to kill their own. Personally my dogs eat what I eat as I feel that pet food is sadly lacking. This includes meat, fish, vegetables and a small amount of pasta and rice. I do not eat rats or mice and I wouldn’t give it to them either. Of my seven dogs only two have a small amount of prey drive. I can’t imagine any of them would know what to do with a raw kill. As for snakes….they are a wild animal. I did have snakes many years ago and they ate live rats and mice because they wouldn’t eat anything else. Dogs are not wild animals.

  4. ポプシクル

    I’m sorry, Laura, I don’t understand where you’re coming from with the whole “inhumane” thing. It wouldn’t be animal fighting purely for entertainment, no. I wanted a hound or working dog to help me to hunt rabbits. Animals are subjected to awful, cruel torture in the meat industry, so I wanted to kill the animal myself. God knows what the chickens in the supermarket experience before they end their miserable lives. Hunting isn’t “inhumane”, it’s natural and incredibly humane compared to the torture that humans put animals through. I feed my dog wet and dry food, but it just seems so nonsensical to me. Hunting would be entertaining for me and the dog.

  5. Anonymous

    It wouldn’t be for entertainment but it would be for entertainment.

    Your ethics are in question. Be glad I lack ban powers. People who justify allowing their animals fight for their personal amusement disgust me.

  6. ポプシクル

    There’s nothing wrong with enjoying hunting, is there? It’s nature, we’re omnivores. So cats disgust you because they hunt birds? I’m not saying I would go out and maim an animal for no reason. That’s sick. Why would I get banned just because we have different opinions? I really don’t see what’s wrong with it, honestly.

  7. Anonymous

    cats should not be outside. they are an invasive species and have hunted many native rodent and bird species to the point where they are endangered. letting cats outside is irresponsible, plain and simple.

    you said you wanted to do this for your entertainment as well as that of your dog. THAT IS PROBLEMATIC. how can you not see this?

  8. ポプシクル

    I’m sorry, I don’t understand. As a person with aspergers, I find it hard to understand other people’s points of view. Stopping a cat from acting out its natural behaviours is cruel. Hindering it from going outside would be like keeping a dog inside. It seems ludicrous to me. Whereas it’s instinct that cannot be stopped for cats, humans are more of an invasive species that hunt thousands of animals to extinction.

    And I am sorry, but I still don’t see how it’s problematic at all. Being out in nature and killing and sharing a meal with my dog is better than eating processed meats is all I’m saying. Sorry if I seem blunt or rude, I’m really not good with communicating. I don’t want to offend anyone c:

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
My Indoor Only, Still Feral Male Cat Has Not Eaten Or Drank Anything For 2…

My indoor only, still feral male cat has not eaten or drank anything for 2 days since bringing him home having been catheterized from being close to blocked yesterday. I’ve tried chicken baby food and his treats he loves. Any suggestions.?

2 Responses

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  1. Dawn Ferara, DVM

    I would call your vet a cat that doesn’t eat can actually destroy his liver!

  2. Davi Parrish

    I put a call in but I haven’t heard back yet. I’ll be at their door first thing in the morning. She has to knock him out to do anything. Thank you

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
I Recently (three Days Ago Specifically) Took In A 1 Year Old Pitbull Puppy For…

I recently (three days ago specifically) took in a 1 year old Pitbull puppy for a family friend who can no longer keep her. I’m starting to worry about her, because she cries a lot and I’m not sure why. I had just taken her to use the bathroom where she did both, and when we got inside she started to whine – so I know it wasn’t because she had to use it. She lives upstairs with my mother and sister because my cats (three of them) live downstairs with me, and fear her. So whenever I get the chance to I come upstairs and visit and play her with her. She seems sad. She throws herself on the floor and makes a big deep SIGH. What could I do to help?

2 Responses

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  1. Dawn Ferara, DVM

    First I would take her to a vet for a check up to be sure it’s not medical.  However, it is possible she is depressed and may take time to adjust to a new family!

  2. Eliss Bonilla

    Thanks! I hope she adjusts soon, I feel bad for her. Nothing I do seems to help – she walks around with her tail in between her legs.

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
I Recently (three Days Ago Specifically) Took In A 1 Year Old Pitbull Puppy For…

I recently (three days ago specifically) took in a 1 year old Pitbull puppy for a family friend who can no longer keep her. I’m starting to worry about her, because she cries a lot and I’m not sure why. I had just taken her to use the bathroom where she did both, and when we got inside she started to whine – so I know it wasn’t because she had to use it. She lives upstairs with my mother and sister because my cats (three of them) live downstairs with me, and fear her. So whenever I get the chance to I come upstairs and visit and play her with her. She seems sad. She throws herself on the floor and makes a big deep SIGH. What could I do to help?

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
I Recently (three Days Ago Specifically) Took In A 1 Year Old Pitbull Puppy For…

I recently (three days ago specifically) took in a 1 year old Pitbull puppy for a family friend who can no longer keep her. I’m starting to worry about her, because she cries a lot and I’m not sure why. I had just taken her to use the bathroom where she did both, and when we got inside she started to whine – so I know it wasn’t because she had to use it. She lives upstairs with my mother and sister because my cats (three of them) live downstairs with me, and fear her. So whenever I get the chance to I come upstairs and visit and play her with her. She seems sad. She throws herself on the floor and makes a big deep SIGH. What could I do to help?

2 Responses

Comments

  1. Eliss Bonilla

    Will do, I’m taking her Saturday to the vet. I don’t understand why though, the family who used to have her kept her 5,6 hours locked up in a cage by herself. I feel like she should feel happy to be free to roam around the house at all times. 🙁 But thanks, I’ll try excersizing her more. I’m noticing her losing muscle within the short three days that I’ve had her.

  2. Kasey Litt

    Krista is right!  Puppies need exercise, mental stimulation and love!  Give her some puzzles that she needs to do — something as simple as a stuffed Kong or you can make homemade puzzles with treats, a muffin pan and tennis balls.  Work with her on basic obedience.  Chicago might be a bit harsh for outdoor activities but if she’ll fetch (or even is interested in tennis balls or other toys) throw them down a flight of stairs and call her back to you so she is running up and down the stairs.  A good game of tug can get her energy going too.  Also think about a flirt pole — this is sort of like a fishing pole with a toy on the end (almost like a cat toy) where you can have her chase it, stalk it, pounce on it.

    Good luck!

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
My 10 Year Old Cat (no Fleas) Is Very Itchy All Over. On His Lover…

My 10 year old cat (no fleas) is very itchy all over. On his lover back and rump area he has small bumps under his coat. He has been like this a long time.

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
My Cat Has Mats And I Was Wondering If I Could Shave It Because When…

My cat has mats and I was wondering if I could shave it because when I got it it was very malnutritioned but now its got muscle at least enough to be fine after shaving at least I think so

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
My Younger 3 Year Old Cat Chunk Has Been Having Eye Discharge For A Few…

My younger 3 year old cat Chunk has been having eye discharge for a few months. He uses the bathroom just fine, eats just fine, seems to be playful and very aware. The discharge is predominantly in one eye although it happens in the other too. It is a brown / rusty red color that seeps from the inner tear ducts. His eye looks okay when you look up close but Im no DVM. (He has been tested for FIV as well as Herpes in prior checkups years ago and tested negative). He doesn’t sneeze, although he does breathe some what heavy but that could also be attributed to his Chunky frame (working on it). I’ve read several possibilities including herpes, conjunctivitis, and respiratory infection. I am hoping this is something that can be resolved through an ointment like terramycin? Any recommendations / suggestions / advice? Thank you!

*Also may be beneficial to note my other rescue Captain Hook has one eye. The non working eye is flipped backward and does not function. As a result that one eye has always had blackish discharge (not the same color as chunks nor does it come out in the same way as chunks). Our vet said this is normal for his eye condition, but just wanted to mention because perhaps could be related? Or no?

Disclaimer *My cats are indoor cats on a strict wet food diet. Chunk is 3 and Captain Hook is 7. I take them to the vet when needed. Their last general checkups were two years ago. I realize they need to go every year, but my cat Captain Hook had many many medical problems (bowel disorders) so thousands of dollars in care credit we try not to take them unless needed, especially since they are indoor.

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
We Just Lost One Of Our Cats To FIP. Our Surviving Cat Has Not Been…

We just lost one of our cats to FIP. Our surviving cat has not been himself, he won’t even play. He does not appear to have any FIP symptoms. He did lose his appetite for a few days after she passed, but he has since been eating regularly. He is very healthy, he just seems sad and lonely. Will we be able to get him another buddy (Could he get another cat sick now that he’s exposed to FeCV?) and how long should we wait?

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  1. Anonymous

    i believe the virus is active in the environment for 3-7 weeks.  i’d get him checked out before you bring home another cat, and discuss prevention with your vet.

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Sandy Whitney | 9 years ago
I Have A Diabetic Cat Who I Give Insulin Every 12 Hours. I Can’t Be…

I have a diabetic cat who I give insulin every 12 hours. I can’t be home for his next dose.
Is it better to give it to him early 4 hours, or late 4 hours

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