Food for Pet Animals 31 



tastes of the animal be taken into consideration; con- 

 sider whether it is herbivorous, living- largely- upon 

 grass and grain, or carnivorous, subsisting chiefly on 

 meat and other animal foods. Yet domesticated ani- 

 mals are usually not exclusively restricted to one diet, 

 but will eat a variety of both animal and vegetable 

 foods. Such variety, if palatable, is important in main- 

 taining health and vigor. 



A food that is suited to nearh' all pets, since it fur- 

 nishes all the necessary elements for their growth, is 

 milk. It should be fed while sweet and preferably 

 while it is warm from the cow. Warm milk seems 

 to possess unknown health -giving qualities that dis- 

 appear after it has been kept a half day or more. In 

 feeding milk to pets, care should be taken not to 

 allow them to have too much at a time. One of the 

 greatest dangers to pet animals is overfeeding. They 

 should be allowed small quantities frequently in order 

 to keep them in a thrifty, vigorous condition. 



DOGS 



Among animals that are kept for pets as well as 

 for use,, the dog undoubtedly holds the first place. 

 Upon farms where stock is kept, a well -broken collie 

 dog is an unfailing source of help and satisfaction, 

 while an unbroken dog is a continual nuisance. In 

 handling stock with a dog, it is important that the 

 dog be well trained, and that great care be exercised 

 while the animals are getting used to being" managed 

 by him. When these two conditions are fulfilled it is 



