I'm new to this please help?

[Tad Carlucci]

Once sick, it takes one week to get well. That's at normal levels. I presume (you could ask a CSR) that it's the same at pet food level.
But it *ALSO* needs to EAT. So you'll have to drop it or carry Portable food.

Personally, the Breed On / Pet Food thing is too unforgiving. A new user will, quite naturally, try things. And, if you try this one, you're hosed. Click to pet and click back and WHAM! your breeding program is put off another week. It's just a bad design.