Animal Husbandry Quiz

Understanding Pet Nutrition: Key Points

• Water is the most important nutrient for life, crucial for carrying nutrients and chemical reactions in the body. Dehydration can lead to serious health issues.
• Proteins serve as a dietary nitrogen source and are made up of amino acids. Cats require taurine, an essential amino acid, in their diet.
• Carbohydrates are added to commercial pet food as an energy source, while fats are the primary energy source and aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
• Essential fatty acids are needed for cell membranes and controlling water loss. Cats require dietary sources of arachidonic acid found in animal fats.
• Vitamins are crucial for metabolic reactions, and their excess or deficiency can lead to health issues. Cats require dietary sources of Vitamin A and niacin.
• Macrominerals like calcium, iron, phosphorus, and sodium are required in significant amounts in the diet and play essential roles in the body.
• Calcium must be supplied in proper proportion to phosphorus, as an imbalance can lead to delayed bone growth and maturation in puppies and kittens.
• Too much dietary phosphorus can lead to kidney damage, while sodium and potassium play crucial roles in body fluid balance.
• Using supplements may do more harm than good, as malnutrition due to nutrient excess is more common than malnutrition due to deficiencies.
• Pet food labeling is a legal document that communicates product information and is regulated by different agencies like AAFCO, FDA, and USDA.
• AAFCO establishes the nutritional standards for complete and balanced pet food, but does not regulate or certify pet foods.
• Commercial diets must be complete and balanced, and there are different types of foods generally fed to pets, including dry, semimoist, moist, and home-prepared.