Nutrition: General Considerations of Carnivores, Omnivores, and Herbivores

General Considerations of Carnivores, Omnivores, and Herbivores

Carnivore

Animals that eat animal tissue

Obligate

Absolutely must eat

Rabbit

Classic obligate herbivore

Essential Nutrients

Must be provided in diet

-Body cannot synthesize on its own

-Common one is ascorbic acid (Vitamic C) in humans, primates, and guinea pigs

Hypovitaminosis C in what animal?

Guinea pigs?

Categories of Nutrients

-Water

-Vitamins

-Minerals

How many essential vitamins are there?

12 essential vitamins

How many essential minerals are there?

20 essential minerals

Vitamins

Organic molecules that assist in body functions and metabolism

Minerals

Inorganic molecules that assist in body functions and metabolism

Lipids

Energy source (triglycerides and fatty acids)

-Required for cell membrane

-Chains of C and H molecules

Where to get Unsaturated Fatty Acids and what kind of bonds

Plant sources

Double bonds

Where to get Saturated Fatty Acids and what kind of bonds

Animal sources

Single bonds

What do antioxidants do?

They act as decoys for free radicals to attack

-Increased shelf life in food

-Support immune system in geriatric diets

Polypeptide chains

Amino acids connected by peptide bonds

What are Amino Acids made of?

-Amino group

-R group

-Carboxyl group

How many essential amino acids in dogs?

10

How many essential amino acids in cats? List a major one.

11 - Taurine

Causes of deficiency for taurine in cats

-Feeding dog food to cats

-Feeding home-cooked diets

-Feeding vegetarian/vegan

-Feeding human foods like baby food

What are carbohydrates made of?

Monosaccharides (simple sugars)

What is glucose used for?

Energy for brain and red blood cells