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Care Behaviour Have questions or comments? |
Confessions From a Former Pellet Lover.
My mother was becoming worried about my behaviour. I wouldn't eat hay, when she tried to feed me greens I'd just let them wilt. I only wanted pellets. She would try to ration me and get me off them many times, but then I'd stop eating altogether. It was a battle of wills, I'd win, and I'd get my pellets back. But then the pellets started taking a toll, my mouth was killing me. Turns out I had molar spurs and loose teeth from not eating hay all these years. I had to have a painful surgery, but afterward I felt much better. My mother pleaded with me to cut back on the pellets and try some greens. She gave me parsley and carrot tops, practically force feeding me. At first I really didn't appreciate this. I'm 6 years old after all, I can feed myself. But then something happened and I started liking these green leafy vegetables. Something just clicked, now I can't get enough of the stuff, chard, dandelions, parsley. I want more. My whole life has changed. I eat hay now, I have to keep my teeth in good shape, because I don't want more surgery. I'm more active, and closer with my parents, our relationship has really improved because I don't sit alone in "my room" anymore. I'm glad my mother didn't give up on me. I've almost kicked my pellet habit, I still love them don't get me wrong, but now I eat them in moderation like I should. Note: Riley passed away suddenly in July 2000. |
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Hi
my name is Riley, I'm 6 years old and I've been addicted to pellets most
of my life. My parents are largely to blame for my problem but don't get
me wrong they are good people. They brought me home when a was 6 weeks
ago, I was just a baby. They started me off on pellets and alfalfa hay.
As I got older my addiction to the pellets grew, I couldn't get enough
of them. Gradually I stopped eating the alfalfa and lived on just pellets
alone. Oh my pellets, so easy to chew. I was starting getting fat and
I'd spend all day sitting in my litterbox "my room". I became
a loner, and an angry one at that. I didn't want any attention and I'd
run to "my room" and growl at my parents when they wanted to
see me. 