New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-21
by Dr. Simon Harncr.

(Dr Harper Is connected with Veterinary Depart-
ment CT the University of Pennsylvania
The welfare Of all animals demands certain
requirements These are not the same for all
breeds. and their proper application depends
upon sound judgment and observation Among
them we have feeding. housing care Of the skin
and exercise Errors in the management Of
domestic animals, and especially house pets.
are more injurious because their artificial en-
vironments differ from those in state Of
nature
Feeding OF the dog requires some attention.
More than half of all cases Of constant
vomiting, indigestion, catarrh of the stomach
and bowels. skin diseases, etc. are caused by
dietetic errors. No two breeds can be fed alike
and no absolute rules can be proposed. One Of
the first questions asked IS, Shall I feed my
dog neat?" Various answers are given to this
question. The dog is naturally a earnivorous
or flesh eating animal and his natural diet is
meat It is necessary to repair the waste Of
the body, and diet without meat is COM
plete. The quantity. however, must vary with
existing conditions. Packs of hounds and other
dogs that on the field every day may at
s7rn%p fed almost exclusively on a meat
Diet But not so with the average house dog.
which takes but little exercise.
Exercise is the keynote, and the less exercise
taken the more the meat should be restricted;
but even with the toy dog. whose delicate con-
stftution requires special care in feeding, meat
should not be entirely withheld. Cooked meat
IS more digestible than raw meat. The latter
may contain parasites or their eggs and for this
reason raw liver is sometimes dangerous. Beef
and mutton preferred
A mixed diet serves the purpose best For
breakfast milk and bread, or milk mixed with
oatmeal and rice serve the purpose well when
little exercise Is taken. A more substantial
meal may be made from cooked meat obtained
from Sleeps heads or OK heads mixed with
oatmeal, cornmeal, w1hea tmeal stale bread or
biscuits to furnish the necessary starchy ma
terisl. Single dogs may be fed the scraps
from the table Spratt's and other patent
foods are good preparations, but must not be
FED continuously. In any case. the diet must
from time 10 time be varied.
The quantity OF food is a matter of Judgment.
Most dogs gluttons, and if left them
selves win eat more than is necessary AS
soon as the animal lays on too much far
the diet should at once be restricted or the ex-
erclse increased The plainest food is the best
ana al sweetnaeats, candy, etc, should be
serupulously avoided. Opinions differ TO the
give two meals. the morning meal being the
nshtes The error lies in giving too mur rather
than too little.
Bathing and grooming Of the skin insures
Cleanliness. excites the circulation and stinu-
lsfes the system Grooming with brush re-
moves ds1acrun and smoothes the fur; the
skin may also be rubbed with q chanois skin
or -cloth and massaged. BY some persons baths
are given at regular intervals even when not
actually needed When not necessary thew
may De substituted by grooming Baths should
pe consicereo necessary when the fur Is dirty
doggy odo-. " ''''s %