1. Small Animal Nutrition

2. What is nutrition?
Nutrition – refers to the animal receiving a proper and balanced food and water ration so that is can grow, maintain its body, reproduce, and supply or produce the things we expect form it.

3. Unhealthy Diet= Unhealthy Animal
35% of the total pet population is overweight
Overweight pets are at risk for heart disease, diabetes and arthritis
One extra pound on a Chihuahua is equal to 38 pounds on an average woman
One ounce of cheese for a 20-pound dog is equal to a human eating one and a half hamburgers
One cup of milk for a 10-pound cat is equal to a human eating five chocolate bars
About 41% of dogs are obese
Interview about Pet Health

4. 6 Essential Nutrients Water Proteins Carbohydrates Fats Vitamins
Minerals

5. Nutrition
Usually a brand name pet food contains a complete and balanced diet for pets, and recommendations for proper amounts to feed are included in the labeling.

6. Nutrition
Deficiencies usually do not occur among animals fed properly formulated diets.
Most problems occur from feeding table scraps or homemade diets.

7. Water The most important nutrient.
Makes up 55-65% of an animal’s body and is located in every cell of the animal.
Absorbed into the body through the walls of the stomach

8. Water Supports biochemical reactions in the body
Respiration: the process by which oxygen is supplied to the cells and tissues in exchange for carbon dioxide; breathing
Digestion: the breakdown of food materials and the absorption of nutrients
Assimilation: converting food into a form that can be absorbed in the body

9. Water
2. Transports other nutrients 3. Helps maintain body temperature 4. Helps give the body its form 5. Carries waste from the body

10. Proteins
Complex nutrients made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen
Broken down into Amino Acids during digestion

11. Proteins
Develops and repairs body organs and tissues, such as muscles, nerves, skin, hair, hooves, and feathers
Aids in producing milk, wool, and eggs
Assists in development of the fetus

12. Proteins 4. Generates Enzymes- necessary for biochemical reactions
5. Generates Hormones- influence body actions, releases from glands
6. Develops Antibodies- neutralize the effects of microorganisms’ toxins in the body

13. Proteins
7. Transmits DNA- Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid, genetic materials that carries hereditary codes

14. Proteins There are 25 amino acids found in animal feeds.
10-11 are considered essential
Essential amino acids- cannot be produced by the animal’s body and therefore have to be supplied in food
Nonessential amino acids- not needed or can be synthesized in the body

15. Carbohydrates Used to:
Support bodily functions such as breathing, digestion, and exercising.
Produce heat to keep the body warm.
Store fat.
Provide energy.

16. FATS
Made up of the same chemical elements as carbohydrates but in different combinations
They contain 2.25 times as much energy as same amount carbohydrates and proteins

17. FATS Essential in the diet for the following: Provides energy
Aids in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
Provides fatty acids (most animals require less than 3%)

18. Vitamins Organic substances required in very small amounts Used to:
Regulate digestion.
Develop normal vision, bone, and external body coverings such as hair and feathers.
Forms new cells.
Protect against disease.
Develop and maintaining the nervous system.

19. Vitamins
Classified on their basis of solubility- capable of being dissolved
Fat soluble- can be stored in the body (Vitamins A, D, E, and K)
Water soluble- stored in limited amounts (Vitamins C, B Complex)

20. Vitamin A
Required to prevent poor vision, respiratory ailments, digestive problems, and reproduction difficulties
Green leafy plants contain carotene which animals can convert to Vitamin A

21. Vitamin D Used with calcium and phosphorus in the body
Animals deficit in this vitamin usually have weak legs
Exposing to sunlight usually takes care of this vitamin
If an animal is kept in confinement, you will need to supplement.
Good, quality hay is a good source

22. Vitamin E Important for successful reproduction and muscle development
Feeding a good rationed diet will usually take care of this vitamin

23. Vitamin K
Necessary for maintenance of normal blood coagulation (good clotting)
Green forages, seeds, and good hay can provide sufficient amounts

24. Vitamin C Deficiency symptoms are diarrhea, rough coat, and coat loss
Also called ascorbic acid (think of citrus fruits)
Produced in the digestive system of most animals and is therefore not needed to supplement
Guinea Pigs must have this added to diet
Deficiency symptoms are diarrhea, rough coat, and coat loss

25. Vitamin B- Complex Group
Vitamins in this group are thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, cobalamin, choline, folic acid, biotin, inositol, para-amino benzoic acid, and pyridoxine
Used for:
Metabolism of carbs
Digestive assistance
Normal growth and reproduction
Healthy coats
Transportation of fatty acids

26. Minerals
Essential in supporting and maintaining animal, but do not contribute to tissue development
Supply materials to build skeleton and produce body regulators

27. Macrominerals Calcium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Sulfur Chlorine
Magnesium

28. Macrominerals- Calcium
Required by vertebrates in larger amounts than any other mineral
99% in the body is found in the teeth and bones
Essential for bone, teeth, and eggshell formation; blood coagulation, and milk production

29. Macrominerals- Calcium
Deficiency- retarded growth and deformed bones
“Rickets”- soft, flexible bones
Osteoporosis- bones lose their density and become porous and brittle
Osteomalacia- softening of the bones
Good sources- limestone, oyster shell, bone meal, etc.

30. Macrominerals- Phosphorus
Closely associated with calcium
75% in the body is found in teeth and bones
Essential for bone development and biochemical reactions
Deficiency symptoms are similar to calcium
Good sources- fluorine phosphates and bone meal

31. Macrominerals- Potassium
Required for many body functions (osmotic relations, acid-base balance, and digestion)
Deficiency symptoms- decreased appetite, slow growth, stiffness, and weight loss
Most grains and feeds are sufficient so no supplements are needed

32. Macrominerals- Sodium and Chlorine
Necessary in the formation of digestive juices, control of body fluid concentration, control of body fluid pH, and in nerve and muscle activity
No deficiency symptoms
Supplemental salt usually provides with enough (blocks, loose or free choice salt, spools in cages, or in a mineral mix)

33. Macrominerals- Magnesium
Necessary for many enzyme systems and for proper function of the nervous system
Most feeds are sufficient so no deficiency systems are noticed

34. Microminerals Iron Iodine Copper Cobalt Fluorine Manganese Zinc
Molybdenum
Selenium

35. Microminerals- Iron
Necessary in formation of hemoglobin- component of blood that is responsible for transporting oxygen
Deficiencies show early in life- low content in milk
Anemia- disease associated with deficiency. Animal will have loss of appetite and become weak.

36. Microminerals- Copper
Necessary for proper iron absorption, for hemoglobin formation, enzyme systems, and in synthesis of keratin for hair and wool growth
Most feeds contain enough
Deficiencies would be similar to iron deficiencies

37. Microminerals- Iodine
Necessary for production of thyroid gland
Most water and feeds contain sufficient amounts
Common symptoms of deficiency would be swelling of neck, hairlessness, infected navel, and weakness

38. Microminerals- Cobalt
Necessary for growth of B vitamins
Symptoms of deficiency include poor appetite, weakness, anemia, decreased fertility, slow growth, and decreased milk/wool production

39. Microminerals- Fluorine
Associated with calcium and phosphorus utilization
Most feeds are usually sufficient in this nutrient and not a major concern in diets

40. Microminerals- Manganese
Involved with the enzyme systems that influence estrus, ovulation, fetal development, udder development, milk production, growth, and skeletal development
Deficiencies in this mineral affect fetal growth, deformed young, poor growth, abortions, etc.
Most feeds contain adequate amounts of this

41. Microminerals- Zinc
Necessary to promote general thriving and growth, wound healing, and hair/wool growth
Most feeds are adequate in this mineral

42. Microminerals- Molybdenum
Necessary component for digestion and enzyme development
Sufficient in most feeds

43. Microminerals- Selenium
Necessary for the absorption and utilization of Vitamin E
Deficiency symptoms are similar to Vitamin E- heart failure, paralysis, poor growth, low fertility, and muscle problems