Personal Note: We recently added a bird to our family. We had birds for years, but it has been six years since our last bird passed. In refreshing my knowledge of bird feeding, something interesting struck me. Daily fresh food with kibble is veterinarian recommended for birds, but not for cats and dogs.
In a similar circumstance to dogs and cats, there are multiple pelleted diets (kibble) for birds. These bird kibble options come in various price ranges, various flavors, and various levels of quality (such as 100% organic). Just like with cat and dog kibble, a pelleted bird diet is to provide a balanced diet (including required species specific nutrients).
But unlike for cats and dogs, veterinarians strongly encourage bird owners to add fresh food to their birdie kibble diets.
From VeterinaryPartners: “While birds can have some seeds without problems – given as a treat – their diet should be 60% formulated pellets and 40% vegetables. A diet of 100% pellets is rarely healthy either.”
North Carolina State Veterinary Hospital tells bird owners: “The majority of your bird’s diet should be a pelleted complete diet supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables.” The veterinary school recommends feeding a parrot “20-30%” fresh food along with a kibble diet.
And it is not just birds where veterinarians encourage fresh food being added to a pelleted diet. (Mars Petcare owned) VCA Hospitals provides this advice for rabbit owners: “A pet rabbit’s diet may be supplemented with 1/4 to 1/2 cup of a variety of leafy green vegetables every day. Variety is important.”
Why is it common advice from veterinarians to recommend adding fresh food daily for other pet species, but mostly uncommon for cats and dogs?
Perhaps the answer to that question is…money. Money out of the pockets of pet food manufacturers (those who are in veterinarians ears).
If all cat and dog owners fed their pets as suggested for birds by North Carolina State Veterinary Hospital…
60-70% commercial food – 20-30% fresh food (from your refrigerator) – 5% treats
…this would result is 30-40% less sales of commercial pet food. Billions of dollars less sales each year.
Research into the health benefit of adding fresh food:
In 2005 Purdue University performed a study with Scottish Terriers and their risk of bladder cancer. They found that by adding fresh vegetables to the dogs diet several times a week reduced the cancer risk significantly. “Results suggest that consumption of certain vegetables may prevent or slow the development of TCC in Scottish Terriers.”
Ask your veterinarian about adding some fresh food to your pet’s diet. If they advise against it, ask them why!
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
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