FInal - ZCA Nutrition

Question 1

Ferret Digestive Tract

Answer 1

short intestinal tract
short GI transit time

Question 2

Ferret Diet

Answer 2

obligate carnivores
small meals, intervals, hide snacks
unsophisticated gut flora
do not digest fiber
high protein & high fat
avoid treats with high carbs, prefer meat based

Question 3

Ferrets most commonly eat ____. Why should you avoid other types of food?

Answer 3

Kibble
Kibble + canned meals
whole prey or raw diets not good, incomplete

Question 4

why should you avoid high sugar/carb diets and treats in ferrets

Answer 4

insulinomas

Question 5

Rabbit Digestive Tract

Answer 5

hindgut fermenters
long GI transit time
unique Ca2+ metabolism = calcium carbonate crystals
continuously growing teeth - require high fiber and lower nutrient and high intake foods to wear them down

Question 6

Rabbit Diet

Answer 6

high fiber, low nutrient, poorly digestible diet, high intake
hay (90%) diet, size of body
pellets (size of eye)
greens (size of skull)
avoid fruits/carrots, grains, seeds, carb treats

Question 7

what type of hay should you feed adult rabbits? young? pregnant/lactating? thin geriatrics?

Answer 7

grass hay for adults
alfalfa for young (<6mo), pregnant/lactating, thin geriatrics

Question 8

the biggest concern of inappropriate diet in rabbits?

Answer 8

dental malocclusion, obesity, dysbiosis, enteritis, decreased GI motility (stasis)

Question 9

Guinea Pig diet

Answer 9

similar to rabbits - hindgut fermenters, high fiber, low nutrient, high intake, hay
vitamin C requirement
pellets (GP specific)
vegetables (vit C rich)
water supplementation not reliable

Question 10

what is the only mammal with a vitamin C requirement? what vegetable can you give to supplement?

Answer 10

guinea pigs
green/red bell peppers

Question 11

Chinchillas diet

Answer 11

similar to rabbits and guinea pigs but even higher nutrient needs
require small amount of alfalfa throughout life in hay or pellets
avoid fruits, seeds, carbs

Question 12

rats, mice diet

Answer 12

not hindgut fermenters
more omnivorous
higher protein requirement
rodent block (feed young until 6 mo)
treats can be veggies or fruits

Question 13

gerbils and hamsters diet

Answer 13

hamsters - foregut fermenters, less protein
gerbils - large cecum/colon, omnivorous, desert animal but still need water
treats can be veggies or fruit

Question 14

hedgehogs diet

Answer 14

insectivore
chitinase to digest insect exoskeleton
less protein and fat
high fiber
small # insects because can cause impaction
small amount produce because can become lodged in mouth

Question 15

sugar glider diet

Answer 15

complicated
spring/summer - insects
winter - gum,sap, sugar from trees, sap sucking insects
enlarged cecum, simple SI

Question 16

what does a sugar gliders captive diet typically look like

Answer 16

insectivore diet ~75%
little nectar
limited fruits/veggies
avoid large sugar/fat
insects as treats
offer food at night bc nocturnal animals

Question 17

Psittacine ideal diet

Answer 17

majority pellets
20% vegetables with high Ca and vit A
5-10% tropical fruits
5% almonds, nuts, brazil nuts
small amount of seeds
foraging toys

Question 18

why are seeds not a good food source for psittacines

Answer 18

excess fat
low Ca2+, lysine, vit AEK and aa
poor nutrients

Question 19

carnivorous reptile diet

Answer 19

prey proportional to predator
pre-killed
separate enclosure
feed every 1-2 weeks

Question 20

insectivore repltile diet

Answer 20

live insects
worms, crickets, flies
pelleted diet
insects need Ca dust but no vit D3 or P

Question 21

herbivore reptile diet

Answer 21

majority dark leafy greens + Ca
some other greens/veggies
few fruits
pelleted diets available

Question 22

what are some differences with tortoises

Answer 22

no squash or carrots
grass hay/high fiber
don’t require fruit

Question 23

omnivore reptile diet

Answer 23

mix of veggies + protein (meat or insects)
protein often exceeded

Question 24

amphibian diet

Answer 24

adults carnivorous, swallow prey whole
not usually fed insects in captivity
1:2 Ca:P ratio
larvae herbivorous

Question 25

fish diet

Answer 25

high protein
low carb
low plant protein, more fish meal
low fiber
vit C
pellets or flakes
meds can be food or gel