Nutrition

Animal Nutrition

Introduction to Nutrition

• Nutrition refers to the process by which animals acquire the necessary nutrients to function and grow.
• It encompasses ingestion of food, absorption of nutrients, and excretion of waste products.
• The essential components of an animal’s diet are protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and water.

Types of Nutrients

• Proteins are essential for growth, repair, and enzymatic activities.
• Carbohydrates provide energy and are classified into sugars, starches and fibres.
• Fats deliver concentrated energy and serve as carriers for fat-soluble vitamins.
• Vitamins and minerals are necessary for various biochemical reactions.
• Water is vital for life, performing important functions like temperature regulation and nutrient transportation.

Nutrient Requirements

• Different animal species have different nutrient requirements, based on factors such as age, size, sex, activity level, and health status.
• For example, ruminants like cows can obtain their energy from plant fibres, unlike cats which are obligate carnivores.

Digestive Mechanisms

• The digestive system of animals is designed to extract nutrients from their diet.
• Digestion involves both mechanical (chewing, churning) and chemical processes (enzymes, acid).
• The major organs involved in digestion include the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and accessory organs like the liver and pancreas.

Feeding Behaviours and Diet Selection

• Feeding behaviours, or when and how often animals eat, can depend on factors like availability of food and competition.
• Animals also show diet selection, choosing food based on its nutrient content, flavour, or other factors.

Malnutrition and Diseases

• Incorrect or insufficient intake of nutrients can lead to malnutrition and contribute to diseases.
• For example, calcium deficiency in birds can lead to weak eggshells.

Feed Quality Control

• Feed quality control is crucial to ensure that the dietary needs of animals are being met and to prevent health conditions caused by inadequate or unbalanced diets.
• This involves analysing the nutrient content of feed and monitoring its consumption.

Conservation of Resources

• Some animals such convert plant materials into protein more efficiently than others. This difference in resource efficiency has implications for wildlife management and farming practices.

Impacts on Environment

• The nutritional requirements and digestive systems of animals can have significant impacts on the environment, affecting factors like greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and nutrient cycles.