Currently, there are a large number of industrial animal feed, which far from everyone wants to feed their pets.
Cheap food is made from cheap products, and they do not always benefit the animals, and not everyone can afford expensive food.
The way out is natural food - vegetables, fruits, greens. Radish is a good source of vitamins and minerals, but it is not allowed to be consumed by all animals.
Is it allowed to give radishes to pets?
Let us examine whether radishes or their tops can be given to guinea pigs, Djungar and Syrian hamsters, budgies, Akhatin snails, decorative rabbits, rats and dogs.
Dogs
Vegetables and roots in the diet of dogs must be present necessarily. It is impossible to feed a dog with meat or canned food only - an unbalanced diet will lead to serious health problems. At the same time, feeding it with vegetables alone is also prohibited - despite the fact that vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals, most of them are not absorbed in the body of an animal.
Radish root vegetables are useful for dogs in raw form in small quantities - their coarse non-digestible fibers will serve both as a toothbrush and cellulose for cleaning the stomach and intestines.
Important! With excessive use of radish will develop problems with the stomach and intestines, including diarrhea.
Radish tops, among other herbs and as a component of salads, can be given to puppies and young dogs, as well as nursing females, as an extra vitamin supplement.
Hamsters
Radish can be used in the diet of hamsters of all breeds, Dzhungarskim, Syrian and others, as an additional vitamin supplement. Due to the high content of vitamins, minerals and fiber, radish roots have a beneficial effect on the general condition of animals. The point is only to maintain a balance of consumption, because in a large number of root vegetables contribute to the development of gastric ulcer and intestinal ulcers, gastritis and other problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
An important ingredient in feeding rodents is green fresh food, including radish tops. It is given fresh, always washed. It is better to use the topstock of a young one, since the older tops to be hardened and have hard fibers in their veins.
Rabbits
Rabbits of commercial value, grown for meat, radishes will be exclusively beneficial. It is included in the diet from about one month of age, finely chopped and in fairly small quantities - no more than 2 root crops per day. Three month old rabbits are already given whole roots and increase their content in the diet.
Radish tops are added to hay and silage, harvested for animals, give slightly dried. It is important to be sure that radishes are not processed by any chemicals that can accumulate in the roots and in the leaves, and if they are consumed by animals, they can be harmful up to poisoning and death.
Decorative rabbits, as well as economic, radish will be extremely useful. Radishes give necessarily young and fresh, preferably peeled from the red skin. Rabbit tops can be given in salads mixed with other herbs.
We offer to watch a video on whether it is possible to give radishes to rabbits:
Guinea pigs
In nature, green food is almost the main source of food for decorative animals. Radish tops in small quantities should be included in the diet of guinea pigs. It contains a sufficient amount of vitamin C, which is well absorbed.
Concerning root crops, experts have different opinions. One part believes that radishes are too spicy food for guinea pigs. In addition, it often causes flatulence and diarrhea. Others believe that young radish in small quantities (no more than half of a root crop per day) will only benefit. It is necessary to proceed from the needs of the animal itself and not to deny the pig in a treat.
Parrots
Domestic parrots - wavy, lovebirds, macaws, etc. - It is necessary to give green fodder as an additional vitamin supplement. In nature, many birds often eat the green parts of plants - this improves metabolism and digestion, a beneficial effect on the molting and the formation of new feathers. Green tops are added, among other herbs, in small quantities.
Root crops are not recommended to parrots because of its sharpness and the presence of coarse fibers in it, which can damage the lining of the stomach and intestines.
Rats
The diet for all types of rats is almost the same, deviations are found only in details. It should be remembered that in the wild nature a rat is practically a predator, and do not forget to give it protein feed.
Concerning the radish root crops, opinions of breeders and landlords diverge. Radish has a hot taste, causes strong flatulence, abdominal distension, and therefore is forbidden to use. Others believe that in small quantities it will be useful. Root crops in any case are prohibited for pregnant and lactating females due to the high fiber content.
The tops give among other greens in small quantities. Radish greens do not accumulate such a quantity of mustard oil, especially young leaves, and do not have such a pungent taste as root vegetables. Consequently, greens do not cause a strong reaction from the gastrointestinal tract and can be eaten by rats.
Snails Akhatinam
Feeding snails Akhatin - quite an interesting and very controversial topic. The popularity of these snails as pets has increased recently, because they are quite undemanding in care and nutrition. Snails eat almost everything, but there are also prohibited foods.
Useful to the snails will be young tops of radish - always fresh and juicy, well washed without sand and signs of rotting or deterioration. You need to give it a little, because it dries quickly and rots. Old and tough leaves should not be given - they are poorly digested by snails and there is a lot of burning sensation in them.
With root vegetables it is also worth being careful because of their sharpness. You can give in very small quantities and finely chopped. Radish varieties should be unsharp.
What happens if the animal ate a forbidden vegetable?
If an animal dragged a prohibited product from the table, or someone unknowingly treated, or gave by mistake - you need to monitor the reaction of the animal.
Most often when using radish occurs:
- bloating due to increased gas formation;
- diarrhea;
- the animal is bothered by abdominal pain and frequent stools;
- vomiting.
Flatulence is dangerous because of the increased mobility of the intestinal loop can twist (the so-called inversion of the intestines), which will require surgical intervention.
- Larger animals should immediately wash the stomach whenever possible.
- You can give drugs that reduce the effects of flatulence and flatulence.
- Also, immediately after eating a stinging root vegetable, something very sweet can be given - sugars are relatively neutralized by mustard oil.
- It is also sometimes given (if possible) with a heavy cream or milk - they have an enveloping effect.
Radish is a good source of vitamins and minerals. Due to the content in the roots of mustard oil, giving the characteristic sharpness, not all pets are allowed. However, if you follow all the norms of nutrition and a competent approach to the pet's diet, radishes - like root vegetables and how tops - will serve the animal's health well.
