Nutrition 6: Exotic Companion Animal Nutrition

Herbivores

What kind of eaters are rabbits, chinchillas, and guinea pigs?

Omnivores

What kind of eaters are myomorph rodents (rats, mice), hedgehogs, sugar gliders, and hamsters?

Carnivores

What kind of eaters are ferrets?

Hind-gut fermenters

What kind of fermenters are herbivores?

Herbivores

What kind of eaters have this type of teeth anatomy?:

1. Teeth are adapted to grinding

   1. Elodont (continuously growing)

   2. Hypsodont (long crowned)

   3. Clinical crown above gums

   4. Reserve crown below gums

Rabbits

What species does this GI anatomy match with?:

1. Simple stomach and well-developed cardiac sphincter

   1. Prevents vomiting

2. Small intestine

3. Large intestine

   1. Fermentation and cecotrope formation

   2. Cecum is 49% of digestive tract

   3. Digestible fiber fermentation

Cecotrophy

Consumption of soft, mucous-covered cluster of feces by rabbits

Reabsorption of nutrients

Formed in proximal colon and cecum

Hay, fiber

What is the most important component of a rabbit’s diet, and what nutritional requirement does it fulfill?

L-gulonolactone oxidase

What enzyme do guinea pigs lack that synthesizes the active form of vitamin C?

Species-specific pellets, produce, treats/supplements that are not water-based

How can we supplement guinea pigs with vitamin C?

Alfalfa, clover

What kinds of hay are suitable for lactating does and young growing rabbits?

Grass hay

What kind of hay is suitable for adult and/or non-breeding rabbits?

1 cup per kg bw daily

What is the daily fruit recommendation for rabbits and guinea pigs?

Chinchillas

Which species is very sensitive to produce and should only eat it in tiny amounts?

Uniform

For herbivores, use ___ high quality species-specific pellets.

Ferrets

Which species does this GI anatomy match with?:

1. Carnivorous teeth

2. Short and simple gut

   1. 2-3 hour transit time!

Carnivores

Which type of eaters should have 20-25% of their diet consist of fats?

Carbohydrates

Which nutrient should be limited in obligate carnivores?

Herbivores

What type of eaters should avoid high-fat diets?

High protein, high fat, low starch, animal-derived protein

Carnivore diet:

High or low protein?
High or low fat?
High or low starch?

Animal-derived or plant-based protein?

Carbohydrates

Ferrets are proven to have a lower digestive capacity for ___.

Omnivores

Which type of eaters does this GI anatomy match with?:

1. Molars adapted to crushing

2. Brachydont (short-crowned)

Hamsters

Which species has some foregut fermentation?

Obesity

What is the biggest nutritional disease for omnivores?

Rats

Which species has young vs. adult formulas available and should switch to an adult formula at around 6 months old?

Hedgehogs

Which species should be put on a commercial diet with high protein and low fat, supplemented with insects, fruits, and vegetables?

Hedgehogs, sugar gliders

Which species are insectivorous omnivores?