Small Animal Nutrition
What is nutrition?

Nutrition – refers to the animal receiving a
proper and balanced food and water
ration so that is can grow, maintain its
body, reproduce, and supply or produce
the things we expect form it.
Unhealthy Diet=
Unhealthy Animal
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35% of the total pet
population is
overweight
Overweight pets are at
risk for heart disease,
diabetes and arthritis
One extra pound on a
Chihuahua is equal to
38 pounds on an
average woman
One ounce of cheese
for a 20-pound dog is
equal to a human
eating one and a half
hamburgers
 One cup of milk for a
10-pound cat is equal
to a human eating five
chocolate bars
 About 41% of dogs
are obese
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Interview about Pet Health
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5aBXjrB_4&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1
6 Essential Nutrients
Water
 Proteins
 Carbohydrates
 Fats
 Vitamins
 Minerals
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Nutrition

Usually a brand
name pet food
contains a complete
and balanced diet for
pets, and
recommendations for
proper amounts to
feed are included in
the labeling.
Nutrition
Deficiencies usually do not occur among
animals fed properly formulated diets.
 Most problems occur from feeding table
scraps or homemade diets.
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Water

The most important nutrient.

Makes up 55-65% of an animal’s body and
is located in every cell of the animal.

Absorbed into the body through the walls
of the stomach
Water
1.
Supports biochemical reactions in the
body
– Respiration: the process by which oxygen is
supplied to the cells and tissues in exchange
for carbon dioxide; breathing
– Digestion: the breakdown of food materials
and the absorption of nutrients
– Assimilation: converting food into a form that
can be absorbed in the body
Water
2.
3.
4.
5.
Transports other nutrients
Helps maintain body temperature
Helps give the body its form
Carries waste from the body
Proteins

Complex nutrients made
of carbon, hydrogen,
oxygen, and nitrogen

Broken down into Amino
Acids during digestion
Proteins
1.
Develops and repairs body organs and
tissues, such as muscles, nerves, skin,
hair, hooves, and feathers
2.
Aids in producing milk, wool, and eggs
3.
Assists in development of the fetus
Proteins
4. Generates Enzymes- necessary for
biochemical reactions
5. Generates Hormones- influence body
actions, releases from glands
6. Develops Antibodies- neutralize the
effects of microorganisms’ toxins in the body
Proteins
7. Transmits DNA- Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid,
genetic materials that carries hereditary
codes
Proteins

There are 25 amino acids found in animal
feeds.
– 10-11 are considered essential
Essential amino acids- cannot be produced
by the animal’s body and therefore have
to be supplied in food
 Nonessential amino acids- not needed or
can be synthesized in the body
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Carbohydrates
Used to:
1. Support bodily functions such as
breathing, digestion, and exercising.
2. Produce heat to keep the body warm.
3. Store fat.
4. Provide energy.
FATS
Made up of the same chemical elements
as carbohydrates but in different
combinations
 They contain 2.25 times as much energy
as same amount carbohydrates and
proteins
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FATS

Essential in the diet for the following:
– Provides energy
– Aids in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
– Provides fatty acids (most animals require less
than 3%)
Vitamins

Organic substances required in very small
amounts
– Used to:
 Regulate digestion.
 Develop normal vision, bone, and external body
coverings such as hair and feathers.
 Forms new cells.
 Protect against disease.
 Develop and maintaining the nervous system.
Vitamins

Classified on their basis of solubility- capable of
being dissolved
– Fat soluble- can be stored in the body (Vitamins A, D,
E, and K)
– Water soluble- stored in limited amounts (Vitamins C,
B Complex)
Vitamin A
Required to prevent poor vision, respiratory
ailments, digestive problems, and reproduction
difficulties
 Green leafy plants contain carotene which
animals can convert to Vitamin A
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Vitamin D

Used with calcium and phosphorus in the body
– Animals deficit in this vitamin usually have weak legs
– Exposing to sunlight usually takes care of this vitamin
If an animal is kept in confinement, you will
need to supplement.
 Good, quality hay is a good source

Vitamin E
Important for successful reproduction and
muscle development
 Feeding a good rationed diet will usually take
care of this vitamin

Vitamin K
Necessary for maintenance of normal blood
coagulation (good clotting)
 Green forages, seeds, and good hay can provide
sufficient amounts
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Vitamin C
Also called ascorbic acid (think of citrus fruits)
 Produced in the digestive system of most
animals and is therefore not needed to
supplement

– Guinea Pigs must have this added to diet

Deficiency symptoms are diarrhea, rough
coat, and coat loss
Vitamin B- Complex Group
Vitamins in this group are thiamine, riboflavin,
niacin, pantothenic acid, cobalamin, choline, folic
acid, biotin, inositol, para-amino benzoic acid,
and pyridoxine
 Used for:
– Metabolism of carbs
– Digestive assistance
– Normal growth and reproduction
– Healthy coats
– Transportation of fatty acids
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Minerals

Essential in supporting and maintaining animal,
but do not contribute to tissue development

Supply materials to build skeleton and produce
body regulators
Macrominerals
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Calcium
Phosphorus
Potassium
Sodium
Sulfur
Chlorine
Magnesium
Macrominerals- Calcium
Required by vertebrates in larger amounts than
any other mineral
 99% in the body is found in the teeth and bones
 Essential for bone, teeth, and eggshell
formation; blood coagulation, and milk
production

Macrominerals- Calcium
Deficiency- retarded growth and deformed
bones
 “Rickets”- soft, flexible bones
 Osteoporosis- bones lose their density and
become porous and brittle
 Osteomalacia- softening of the bones

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Good sources- limestone, oyster shell,
bone meal, etc.
Macrominerals- Phosphorus
Closely associated with calcium
 75% in the body is found in teeth and
bones
 Essential for bone development and
biochemical reactions

Deficiency symptoms are similar to
calcium
 Good sources- fluorine phosphates and
bone meal
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Macrominerals- Potassium

Required for many body functions
(osmotic relations, acid-base balance, and
digestion)

Deficiency symptoms- decreased appetite,
slow growth, stiffness, and weight loss

Most grains and feeds are sufficient so no
supplements are needed
Macrominerals- Sodium and
Chlorine

Necessary in the formation of digestive
juices, control of body fluid concentration,
control of body fluid pH, and in nerve and
muscle activity
No deficiency symptoms
 Supplemental salt usually provides with
enough (blocks, loose or free choice salt,
spools in cages, or in a mineral mix)
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Macrominerals- Magnesium

Necessary for many enzyme systems and
for proper function of the nervous system
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Most feeds are sufficient so no deficiency
systems are noticed
Microminerals
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Iron
Iodine
Copper
Cobalt
Fluorine
Manganese
Zinc
Molybdenum
Selenium
Microminerals- Iron

Necessary in formation of hemoglobincomponent of blood that is responsible for
transporting oxygen
Deficiencies show early in life- low content in
milk
 Anemia- disease associated with deficiency.
Animal will have loss of appetite and become
weak.

Microminerals- Copper
Necessary for proper iron absorption, for
hemoglobin formation, enzyme systems, and in
synthesis of keratin for hair and wool growth
 Most feeds contain enough
 Deficiencies would be similar to iron deficiencies
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Microminerals- Iodine
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Necessary for production of thyroid gland

Most water and feeds contain sufficient amounts
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Common symptoms of deficiency would be
swelling of neck, hairlessness, infected navel,
and weakness
Microminerals- Cobalt
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Necessary for growth of B vitamins

Symptoms of deficiency include poor appetite,
weakness, anemia, decreased fertility, slow
growth, and decreased milk/wool production
Microminerals- Fluorine
Associated with calcium and phosphorus
utilization
 Most feeds are usually sufficient in this nutrient
and not a major concern in diets
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Microminerals- Manganese
Involved with the enzyme systems that influence
estrus, ovulation, fetal development, udder
development, milk production, growth, and
skeletal development
 Deficiencies in this mineral affect fetal growth,
deformed young, poor growth, abortions, etc.
 Most feeds contain adequate amounts of this
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Microminerals- Zinc

Necessary to promote general thriving and
growth, wound healing, and hair/wool growth
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Most feeds are adequate in this mineral
Microminerals- Molybdenum
Necessary component for digestion and enzyme
development
 Sufficient in most feeds
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Microminerals- Selenium
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Necessary for the absorption and utilization of
Vitamin E

Deficiency symptoms are similar to Vitamin Eheart failure, paralysis, poor growth, low fertility,
and muscle problems