growling and snapping and barking

feeding times are ideally at regular intervals twice a day. this structures a pet's daily routine and sets expectation. the routine may be changed to disorient and upset the pet to profound effect.

the food itself should be minimalistic and bland. it is already receiving stimuli during the feeding; it does not need more from the food itself. food that keeps the pet easy to internally clean is also sought after. start with grains and supplemented protein, see what works for each individual pet and adapt as needed.

the only fluids offered should be plain water, electrolyte drinks, or ensure. any open containers of water are a hazard and should be removed, though human sized hamster bottles are practical and helpful to ensure a pet gets enough fluids (note: do not put any dairy products in these).

its diet should provide full nutritional needs but can be adapted at the keeper's discretion if they desire the pet to be smaller, to lose muscle mass, or put on weight for ease of handling or aesthetic.

serve the pet its meal in a dog bowl. do not let it off its leash. do not offer it utensils. optimally, prevent it from using its hands to assist eating (via restraints if necessary). if it makes a mess, then all the better (it can always be cleaned to keep it presentable).

occasionally, a pet will try to decline food as a kind of protest, similarly to how it may attempt to harm itself in other ways [4]. it is important that the keeper does not rise to this challenge. it must be fed at least once every week. if it attempts to refuse food for longer periods, a warning may be issued before the keeper must commence force feeding where the pet is restrained and food is forced down its throat by hand or tube. likewise, a pet should not go longer than two days without water before being forced to consume fluids either by holding its head in a bowl of shallow water (if it does not drink, it drowns), via tube or via IV. the scope of a pet being kept alive via tubes is beyond this section, and will be discussed in detail later in the manual. often, these experiences will traumatize the pet into either complying out of fear or becoming dependent on force feeding and the keeper should be prepared to adapt.