The feed of prairie dogs

05september2006
Source: EZNC
The natural diet of prairie dogs consists mainly of grasses. In the wild, prairie dogs do not eat fatty and are therefore prone to obesity in captivity.
For animals living in captivity, the diet can be composed of rabbit feed and timothee or other types of grass and hay. (Cocksfoot Dactylis glomerata, smooth brome Bromus ssp., wild oat Avena fatua). The diet can be supplemented with vegetables, fruit and grains. To prevent obesity, the feed can only consist for a small part of rabbit feed (one forth of a cup per day) By feeding the animals pellets, you prevent the animal from being able to select. Hay may be fed without limit.
Other ingredients with which the feed can be composed are: carrots, sweet potatoes, some safflower seeds (Carthamus tinctorius), cabbage leaf, dandelion (flower and leaf) and cress.

Prairie dogs do not eat fatty food in the wild and soon become obese in captivity. This is caused by a wrong feed, as well as a lack of exercise. ItÂ’s best not to feed any peanuts, sunflower seeds, dog feed, cookies and other products which are high calorie and low fibre. Alfalfa is also better left out of the diet, as the calcium/ phosphor balance is too high.

Chewing on hay is good for the teeth, which grow continuously, as with other rodents. The fibre in the hay also stimulates the digestion. In addition to the hay, pellets for prairie dogs may be offered.