The Owlery

There is always a debate going on about the best diet suitable for our system and that of our pets. Though there are a number of factors to be considered in deciding the optimal diet for humans as well as animals the fact is that our health and that of our pets will improve when we depend less on processed foods.

Our dogs and cats’ digestive systems, just like ours are designed for fresh and natural wholesome foods packed with all the necessary nutrients and not for processed foods. Their digestive tracts are intended to take in raw meat and not the processed kind with undecipherable ingredients loaded with preservatives.

While determining the best diet for your pets keep in mind that it should be as fresh as possible with optimal rotation of different foods for variety. Fresh  foods contain probiotics, vitamins, enzymes, minerals and vitamins in a natural state that can be more easily digested and assimilated. Heat is not conducive for the nutrients in food which means that canned  foods or dry kibble that are processed at high temperatures are less likely to contain the nutrients in their natural state.

The less the food is heat processed the more likely the nutrients in the food are preserved in their natural state till you feed them to your pets. Even the most premium canned foods lack the necessary nutrients needed for your pets.

Moist dog foods packed in cans are loaded with flavor enhancers and preservatives. However, this is better than dry  foods that have even more chemicals added to them to increase their shelf life. However, the major problem is the ingredients in the canned foods itself, which are most often than not meat or poultry parts that are labeled as not fit for consumption by humans. Sometimes, diseased or even dead animals are used to make pet food.

Feeding your pets with these unhygienic processed foods will cause diarrhea, vomiting and in extreme cases might also cause cancer or organ failure and even death when consumed for longer periods.

So, why then are pet aisles in stores abounding with canned and other processed foods? It is because they are convenient and cheaper than the fresher alternatives.

While fresh home-made raw food diet is undoubtedly the best for your pets, with today’s busy lifestyle it is not possible for most pet owners. So, the best alternative is to find a good balance between a nutritional and convenient diet for your pet. Fortunately, today you can choose from a wide variety of frozen raw foods, freeze-dried and dehydrated  food diets that are healthier for your pets and at the same time convenient for you.

It is not practical to make home-made pet food for each meal. The trick is to rotate the different types of healthy pet foods available, taking care to see that you offer a balanced mix of fresh home-made pet food with store-bought frozen raw foods and dried foods. If you are not able to avoid feeding kibble then make sure that you read the label for ingredients.

The basic guideline for pet owners while shopping for pet food is this:  Do not buy a  food product with ingredients that you wouldn’t consume yourself.

By: Rob Zygelman

About the Author:

There are several owl pellet activities that can be done prior to, and after, the actual dissection of an owl pellet by a student. Depending on how these activities are approached, the activities can provide an excellent opportunity for all students at all grade levels to engage in hands-on, inquiry based learning in life science, using science as inquiry.

A pre-discussion on the subject should be done prior to the actual activities so students. Back ground information about birds of prey can be discussed which eventually leads to focus more on owls and owl pellets. Part of the discussion should include the use of pellets for scientific study of small mammals and their distribution, which helped map the areas occupied by certain small creatures that might otherwise have escaped detection.

As a pre-activity, groups of students can be asked to do a research on different kinds of owls like the Great-horned owl, barred owl, barn owl, and screech owl. In addition, familiarize students with the keywords such as carnivore, predator, prey, food chain, and food web. The research can be shared in class by the students themselves.

The most exciting and fun activity for most students is the actual owl dissection. Using owl pellet kits in the appropriate level for students will allow them hands-on understanding about the objective of the activity. Students can perform the dissection individually or they can be formed in groups of two’s or four’s. If they will be in groups, make sure everybody had a chance to perform every procedure.

As a post-activity, ask them to draw a food chain involving an owl and other birds of prey. Alternatively, you can also ask them to write a paragraph using the keywords, or have the read a book such as “The Owl in the Shower” which is a fictional story showing both sides of environmentalists and lumbering in the Northwest.

This can be used as a basis for a class debate sharing both views. Because owl pellet activities are mostly hands-on experiences, the percentage of retention is higher because the learning processes were fun.

By: Bobby J Clark

About the Author: