Animal Nutrition and Diet Development

Flashcards covering animal nutrient requirements, species-specific feeding guidelines, forage quality factors, and clinical concerns like anorexia.

What are the three essential steps required to develop a diet (ration) for an animal?

1. Estimate the nutrient requirements of the animal. 2. Determine which available foodstuffs meet these requirements. 3. Decide on the proportions of particular foodstuffs to use.

In the context of evaluating foodstuffs, what is the definition of 'ash'?

The weight of a foodstuff after it has been heated in a furnace to $500^{\circ} C$ or $600^{\circ} C$.

Which organization publishes nutritional recommendations for most domestic species?

The National Research Council.

Why is urea considered an economical feed component for certain animals but not others?

It is a cheap protein source for herbivores, but it cannot be used for carnivores.

What is 'roughage' and which dietary group primarily depends on it?

Roughage is coarse, bulky, largely indigestible material that wild herbivores depend on for survival.

How can the intake of minerals exceeding an animal's requirement cause harm?

Unabsorbed minerals can bind other minerals and prevent their absorption.

Which unit of the National Research Council is responsible for organizing studies on agriculture, forestry, and animal nutrition requirements?

The Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources (BANR).

What is the recommended food intake for a medium-sized dog (35 to 50 pounds)?

$0.33 \text{ to } 0.5 \text{ ounce}$ of dry food per pound of body weight, or $1 \text{ to } 1.5 \text{ ounces}$ of canned food per pound.

What is the daily dry food requirement for a cat weighing 7–9 pounds?

$2.5 \text{ to } 3.2 \text{ ounces}$ per day.

What is a ruminant?

A mammal that digests plant-based foods by softening them in the first compartment of the stomach (the rumen), regurgitating the matter (cud), and chewing it again.

In feed analysis, what are the common terms used to refer to cellulose?

Crude fiber, cell walls, or acid-detergent fiber.

What is the most important forage crop, and what category of hay does it belong to?

Alfalfa; it belongs to tame hay (hay grown specifically as feed).

What is the consequence of forage particles being cut too fine for ruminants?

They exit the rumen more rapidly and affect the fermentation product ratios. An average size of $7\,mm$ is recommended.

What does it mean if a plant is 'goitrogenic'?

It inhibits iodine concentration in the thyroid.

What causes 'sweet clover disease' in calves?

Bacteria in spoiled sweet clover hay create dicoumarin, a chemical that prevents Vitamin K from functioning and causes internal hemorrhages.

What is the energy equivalent comparison between hay and grain for ruminants?

$3\,pounds$ of hay supply the same amount of energy as $2\,pounds$ of grain.

What are the daily dry feed intake requirements for an adult horse versus a foal?

Adult horses eat $2\, \text{to} \,2.5\%$ of their body weight daily, while foals and lactating mares require $3\%$.

What are the crude protein requirements for birds at different life stages?

Maintenance requires $20\%$, breeding requires $20\% \text{ to } 25\%$, and chicks require up to $28\%$.

How much food do rodents typically consume relative to their body weight?

$5\,g$ of food for every $100\,g$ of body weight over $24 \text{ hours}$.

Why is coprophagy important for rabbits?

It allows them to conserve water, B vitamins, and optimize the use of dietary protein.

What is the recommended calorie-to-protein ratio for ferrets?

$16:1$.

How is anorexia defined in animals, and what are its physiological risks?

It is a diminished appetite or aversion to food; it can cause immune system dysfunction, delayed wound healing, septicemia, and decreased liver metabolism of toxins.

How much higher is the B-vitamin requirement for cats compared to dogs?

Eight times greater.

What sensory preferences do cats have that can be used to stimulate the appetite of an anorexic patient?

Cats prefer meats, fat flavors, moist foods, and warm, acidic rations.