Animal Nutrition Overview

Questions and Answers

Why is proper nutrition important?

It makes it possible for us to efficiently feed our animals and helps us maximize the length and quality of their lives. It reduces nutritional risk factors.

What is a nutrient?

Components of the diet that have specific functions within the body. They contribute to growth, tissue maintenance, and optimal health. They are essential to life.

What are the different types of nutrients?

Water, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins.

Which nutrients produce energy?

Fats, proteins, carbohydrates. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between an essential nutrient and a non-essential nutrient?

Essential nutrients must be supplied in the diet, while non-essential nutrients can be synthesized by the body and do not need to necessarily be supplied in the diet. Signup and view all the answers

How are nutrients classified?

Macronutrients (energy producing), micronutrients (do not supply energy), and water. Signup and view all the answers

What is a macronutrient?

They are broken down by the body to be used as energy. Proteins, fats, and carbohydrates are classified as macronutrients. Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important nutrient of all?

Water. Signup and view all the answers

Water makes up what percent of the body?

50-70%. Signup and view all the answers

Many tissues are composed of what percent of water?

70-90%. Signup and view all the answers

A loss of what percent of body water results in death?

10%. Signup and view all the answers

Water is essential for the occurrence of what?

Metabolic processes and chemical reactions. Signup and view all the answers

What is dehydration?

A decrease of the amount of water present in the body. Signup and view all the answers

What are the functions of water?

<ul> <li>Facilitates cellular reactions</li> <li>Intracellular fluid</li> <li>Transport medium for nutrients</li> <li>Temperature regulation</li> <li>Essential for digestion</li> <li>Elimination of waste</li> <li>Used in chemical reactions</li> <li>Created by chemical reactions</li> </ul> Signup and view all the answers

How do animals intake water?

Eating food, voluntarily drinking, metabolic water. Signup and view all the answers

Dry food contains what percent of water?

10-12%. Signup and view all the answers

Canned food contains what percent of water?

72-82%. Signup and view all the answers

Animals fed what types of diets voluntarily drink more water?

Dry food. Signup and view all the answers

Dehydration is more of an issue in which animals?

Cats than dogs. Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of everyday losses of water?

Urination, defecation, respiration/evaporation (panting). Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of abnormal losses of water?

Vomiting, diarrhea. Signup and view all the answers

When does dehydration occur?

When the output of water is greater than the intake of water. Signup and view all the answers

What is a protein made up of?

Amino acid chains. Signup and view all the answers

What does the structure of an amino acid consist of?

Amino group on one side, carboxyl group on the other side, a carbon in the middle attached to hydrogen, R-group (variant). Signup and view all the answers

The only change between the different amino acids is the what?

Variant R group. Signup and view all the answers

What come together to create proteins?

Amino acids. Signup and view all the answers

The links created between amino acids are called what?

Peptide bonds. Signup and view all the answers

What is the by-product of peptide bonds?

Water. Signup and view all the answers

Proteins are what?

Polypeptides. Signup and view all the answers

What is a polypeptide?

Multiple peptide bonds. Signup and view all the answers

The construction of proteins is guided by what?

DNA via RNA. Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential amino acid?

Amino acids that must be supplied in the diet because they are not synthesized in the body. Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential amino acid for cats only?

Taurine. Signup and view all the answers

Why is taurine important?

It is important for bile acid conjunction, retinal function, and normal function of the myocardium. Important for digestion, eyesight, and heart. Signup and view all the answers

What are 3 issues that a cat that is deficient in taurine might have?

Feline Central Retinal Degeneration, dilated cardiomyopathy, fetal development issues. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Importance of Nutrition

Proper nutrition enhances animal health, extending lifespan and quality of life.
Reduces nutritional risk factors.

Nutrients and Their Functions

Nutrients support growth, tissue maintenance, and overall health.
Essential for life; categorized into macronutrients and micronutrients.

Types of Nutrients

Six primary types: water, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins.
Macronutrients include proteins, fats, and carbohydrates which produce energy.

Essential vs Non-Essential Nutrients

Essential nutrients must be obtained through diet.
Non-essential nutrients can be synthesized by the body.

Nutrient Classification

Nutrients are classified into macronutrients (energy producers) and micronutrients (do not supply energy) along with water.

Macronutrients

Macronutrients include proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, which provide energy.

Role of Water

Water is crucial, making up approximately 50-70% of body weight.
Specific tissues can contain 70-90% water.
A loss of 10% body water can lead to death.

Functions of Water

Facilitates cellular reactions, acts as a transport medium, regulates temperature, aids digestion, and eliminates waste.
Water is produced and utilized in various chemical reactions.

Water Intake Methods for Animals

Animals intake water through eating, drinking, and metabolic water.

Water Content in Foods

Dry food contains 10-12% water.
Canned food contains 72-82% water.
Animals on dry diets tend to drink more water.

Dehydration

More prevalent in cats than in dogs.
Occurs when water output exceeds water intake.

Everyday and Abnormal Water Losses

Everyday losses include urination, defecation, and respiration.
Abnormal losses can occur due to vomiting and diarrhea.

Proteins and Amino Acids

Proteins are made of chains of amino acids.
Amino acids consist of an amino group, carboxyl group, a central carbon, and a variable R-group.

Peptide Bonds and Polypeptides

Peptide bonds form between amino acids, releasing water as a by-product.
Proteins are essentially polypeptides with multiple peptide bonds.

Protein Synthesis

Guided by DNA through RNA.

Essential Amino Acids

Must be supplied through diet; not synthesized by the body.
Taurine is an essential amino acid for cats, crucial for bile acid formation, retinal function, and myocardial health.

Effects of Taurine Deficiency in Cats

Can lead to Feline Central Retinal Degeneration causing blindness.
May cause Dilated Cardiomyopathy, risking heart failure.
Impacts fetal development in pregnant cats.

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Description

This quiz covers the importance of nutrition for animal health, detailing the various nutrients and their essential functions. It explores the differences between essential and non-essential nutrients and classifies nutrients into macronutrients and micronutrients.