Pet Nutrition Small Animal Management Ms. Boyt
What is Nutrition? Refers to the animal receiving a proper & balanced food and water ration so that it can grow, maintain its body, reproduce, and supply or produce the things we expect from it
Essential Nutrients Water Protein Carbohydrates Fats Vitamins Minerals
Water In EVERY cell of the body Support the body’s biochemical reactions Transport other nutrients Aid in body temperature maintenance Help give the body its form Carry waste from the body
Importance of Water Most important nutrient Loss impedes circulation, results in dehydration, slows body functions Carries medications for disease control Makes up about 55 to 65 percent of an animal’s body
Protein Develop and repair body organs and tissues Produce milk, wool, and eggs Develop the fetus Serve as building material for enzymes and hormones Develop antibodies Transmit DNA
Importance of Proteins Broken into amino acids during digestion Animals must consume essential amino acids Ruminants can create all amino acids Amino acids contribute to animals’ health 25 amino acids are found in animals feeds Of these, 10 or 11 are considered essential and the others are nonessential Essential are those that can’t be produced by the animal’s body & must be supplied in ration (feed) Function and growth determine animals’ amino acid needs
Carbohydrates Support bodily functions Produce heat to warm the body Store fat
Importance of Carbohydrates Converted by animals into energy Made of sugars, starches, and crude fiber Completely digested sugars and starches are nitrogen-free extracts Crude fiber is mostly non-digestible bulk or roughage Large amounts of crude fiber better handled by some animals (ruminants)
Fats Provide energy Aid in absorption of fat-soluble vitamins Provide fatty acids
Importance of Fats Contain 2.25 times as much energy as equivalent amount of carbohydrates and proteins Essential in the diet, though at less than 3 percent
Vitamins Regulate digestion, absorption, and metabolism Develop normal vision, bone, and external body coverings Regulate body glands Form new cells Fight disease and strengthens immune system Develop and maintain nervous system
Importance of Vitamins Classified on the basis of their solubility Fat or Water Soluble Fat Soluble Vitamins A, D, E, and K Water Soluble Vitamin C and B-complex
Minerals Inorganic elements that are essential to life’s processes Most agree 7 minerals are required in the largest amounts— Macrominerals Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Sulfur, Chlorine, & Magnesium 8 are needed in lesser or trace amounts— Microminerals Iron, Iodine, Copper, Cobalt, Manganese, Zinc, Molybdenum, & Selenium