Animal Nutrition

6 Essential Nutrients

1. Protein

2. Lipids (fats)

3. Carbohydrates

4. Water

5. Vitamins

6. Minerals

Protein purpose

Helps build new cells, strong bones, hormones and antibodies. Contains healthy amino acids and helps develop muscle

Protein foods

Meat, eggs, fish

Lipids (fats) purpose

Helps absorb vitamins and minerals, clotting blood, building cells and muscle movement. High in calories = high in energy

Lipids (fats) foods

Nuts, seeds, fish

Water purpose

Basis of most bodily functions- helps to flush out toxins, carry nutrients to the cell, hydrates body, prevents constipation, regulates body temperature

Water foods

Water, soup, fruits

Vitamins purpose

Needed for vital functions- ward off viruses and staying healthy. Helps with skin, bones, healthy vision and muscles

Minerals purpose

Helps build strong bones, staying hydrated, healthy metabolism, nerve transmission, healthy blood pressure, muscle contraction and relaxation

Vitamin foods

Oranges, strawberries, broccoli

Minerals foods

Seeds, oranges, milk

Carbohydrates purpose

Provides the number one source of fuel for our bodies, helps central and nervous system and brain, protects against disease

Carbohydrates foods

Whole grains, beans, avocados

Macromolecule

A large molecule that makes up the large nutrients we consume. They provide us with the majority of our energy

Monomers

Molecules that can bond to identical molecules

Carbohydrates monomers

Monosaccharides

Lipids monomers

Fatty acids, glycerol

Protein monomers

Amino acids

5 things the AAFCO regulates

1. Product names

2. Guaranteed anaylsis

3. Nutritional adequacy statement

4. Feeding directions

5. Calorie statement

8 required label items

1. Product and brand name

2. Name of species in which the pet food is intended

3. Quantity statement

4. Guaranteed analysis

5. Nutritional adaquecy statement

6. Feeding directions

7. Ingredient statement

8. Name and address of the manufacturer or distributor

Product and brand name importance

It is a key factor in the consumer’s decision to buy the product. Manufacturers often use fanciful names/ other techniques to emphasize a particular aspect of the product

“Dinner Rule”

Named ingredients must comprise at least 25% of the product and less than 95%

Name of species for which the pet food is intended importance

Tells the consumer what species the product is intended for

Quantity statement

Informs you, the consumer, how much product is in the container

Guaranteed analysis

Regulations require a pet food to guarantee the minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat and the maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture

Ingredient statement

All ingredients are required to be listed in order of predominance by weight

Nutritional adequacy statement

-“complete and balanced” must be substantiated

-ensures the product contains the proper amount of recognized essential nutrients needed to meet the needs of a healthy animal

-states that the product is suitable for “maintenance” or “growth”

Feeding directions

Instructs the consumer how much product should be offered to the animal. At minimum, they should include verbiage, such as “feed x cups per x pounds of body weight daily”

Name and address of manufacturer or distributor

The “manufactured by..” statement identifies the party that is responsible for the quality and safety of the product and the location of its party