4 PET CARE

Responsible pet owners are always looking for better ways to care for their
animals. Your pet might thank you for studying the information in this lesson!

A
Study the pet care chart.

CATS DOGS FISH

Lift a cat using two hands, Don’t allow a dog to roam Don’t mix large and small fish.
HANDLING

one under its forelegs and
one under its rump. A cat
should not be dropped, for it
will not always land on its feet.
Brush its coat regularly.
freely. Groom a dog regularly.
Check that its ears are clean
and its nails are trimmed. To
avoid the loss of its natural oils,
bathe it only when it is dirty.
Net fish gently. To prevent the
spread of diseases, isolate
each new fish for a few days
before adding it to your tank.

Bones that may splinter Serve a balanced diet of Check with the fish dealer
should not be fed to cats. commercial dog food. Feed about the proper diet for the
Provide a high-protein, once or twice a day, depending fish. Don’t put more food in
FEEDING

high-fat, commercial cat
food. If food is not moist,
provide water.
on the dog’s condition. Give
the dog large uncooked beef
bones or artificial bones.
Provide water.
the tank than the fish can eat
in 5 minutes. After 10 or 15
minutes, all leftover food should
be removed to prevent an
accumulation of rotting food.

A box with a cushion or a Protect the dog from dampness Don’t use fish bowls because
HOUSING

blanket can be used for and from extremes of heat and the fish can’t get enough oxygen.
sleeping. Provide a scratching cold. A warm, dry blanket can Use distilled water. Provide
post to keep claws worn be used for bedding. Clean the proper lighting. Be sure the
down. bedding regularly. water does not contain chlorine.

Now use the information from the pet care chart to help you decide whether
each statement is true or false. Write T or F on the blank.

1. _____ The healthiest dogs are bathed every day.

2. _____ Cats should not be fed chicken bones.

3. _____ A fish eats all it needs within five minutes.

4. _____ Dogs with heavy coats need no protection

from cold weather.

5. _____ All kinds of fish can live together happily.

6. _____ Always use two hands to pick up a cat.

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 4
B
Circle a letter to show how each sentence should be completed. Use the
boldfaced words as clues. if you need help, look back at the pet care chart.
1. Commercial pet food is
a. made at home. b. sold in stores. c. poor in quality.
2. If a dog’s skin loses its natural oils, it will become
a. dry and scaly. b. soft and moist. c. red and patchy.
3. When you isolate a new fish, you
a. put its bowl in b. introduce it to c. keep it away from
the closet. your other fish. your other fish.
4. If leftover food accumulates in a fish tank, it will
a. make your fish b. rot and cause c. be eaten later as
very fat. disease. a midnight snack.
5. Tropical fish won’t get enough oxygen if they
a. are kept in a bowl b. don’t breathe c. lack a well-balanced
rather than a tank. deeply. diet.
6. A basic grooming tool for both dogs and cats is a
a. stethoscope. b. bucket. c. brush.
C
Read about three popular pets. Use words from the box to complete the
sentences. You will not use all the words.

tropical learned breeds names comfortable

ancestry furry pets purebred inborn

There are many (1) ____________________________ of cats. Two

major types are short-hair and long-hair. The bird-chasing activity
in cats appears to be (2) ____________________________.
A mongrel is a dog of mixed (3) ____________________________.
A (4) ____________________________ dog has parents whose lineage
has been unmixed since the breed was recognized.
More fish are bought than any other (5) ___________________________.
(6) ____________________________ fish don’t feed in the dark. Water
temperature must be between 70° and 80° F.
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