Suitable Diet Flashcards
What does a balanced diet depend upon?
Species, life stage and types of feed available
When should keepers top up mixed feeds?
After all components are eaten
What does topping up mixed feeds after all components have been eaten prevent?
Malnutrition
What do keepers need to consider when choosing feeds?
Types, costs & storage
Name the cheapest and easiest type of food to store
Frozen foods
State a feature of pelleted feed
May contain higher nutritional values than similar quantities of fresh or baled feed
How should pelleted feed be stored?
Pelleted feed should be stored in airtight containers
Why should pelleted feed be stored in airtight containers?
Prevent animals, flies and damp getting into/contaminating the food
Name the seven main nutrients
Carbohydrates, protein, water, fibre, fats (lipids), vitamins & minerals
State the nutrient that working animals require more of and explain why
Working animals require large amounts of carbohydrates because they are more active and use more energy
Which nutrient do lactating animals require more of and why?
Lactating animals require more calcium because they are producing calcium-rich milk to promote bone growth & development in their young
Name the life stages
Juvenile, Adult, Senior, Lactating, Working
State the causes of nutritional problems
Diarrhoea, diabetes, obesity & nutritional deficiencies
What is recommended to owners/keepers before they get an animal?
Research the dietary requirements
Name three ‘human’ foods that are toxic to animals
Chocolate, onions & xylitol (artificial sweetener)
Which chemical in chocolate makes it toxic for animals?
Theobromine
What can be provided if an animal happens to lack a nutrient?
Supplementation
Give an example of supplementation
Putting calcium powder on a reptile’s food
Which nutrient groups are usually used for supplementation?
Vitamins and minerals
What do supplements prevent?
Common nutritional problems
Which amino acid is abundant in cat food?
Taurine
Which nutrient is abundant in guinea pig food?
Vitamin C
Name a nutrition based disease
Metabolic Bone Disease
In which type of species is Metabolic Bone Disease found in?
Reptiles
State a feature of Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)
Bones of the reptile become brittle or bendy
Which minerals are deficient in a reptile with Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)?
Calcium & Phosphorus
What can be added to a reptiles’ enclosures to prevent MBD?
UVB lights
Why would the inclusion of UVB lights in reptiles’ enclosures prevent the development of MBD?
UVB lights allow reptiles to have access to vitamin D3 - which then allows the reptiles to absorb calcium and phosphorus from their food.
State a common sign of MBD in reptiles
Kinks in the tail
State a dietary requirement of cattle
Good-sized grazing area (which is safe and secure)
Name another dietary requirement of cows
Feeding troughs in a sheltered area
How should food be changed in feeding troughs?
Food should be gradually changed in feeding troughs
What do concentrated feeds provide livestock with?
Concentrated sources of necessary nutrients
Outline a feature of the dietary requirements of horses
Good-quality grass and hay should form the bulk of the diet & necessary electrolytes for normal bodily function
What can be provided in a stabled area to function as food enrichment for horses?
Salt licks or loose salt
What do some hindgut fermenter species produce and consume to absorb any unabsorbed nutrients from their food?
Caecotrophs
What are caecotrophs?
Type of faeces that needs to be ingested upon expulsion to break down any absorb any unabsorbed nutrients
What can occur if caecotroph animals don’t consume their caecotrophs?
Malnutrition
What is eating faeces also known as?
Caprophagy
