Small Animal Nutrition Worksheet

Learn about small animal nutrition! Understand the role of water, carbs, proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins.

Water is the most important nutrient and makes up 55% - 65% of an animals body. Carbohydrates are responsible for converting food into energy. Carbohydrates also support breathing and digestion. Minerals supply the material for building the skeleton and producing regulators such as enzymes and hormones Vitamins are organic substances needed for specific biochemical reactions Micro and Macro are the two groups of Minerals. There are four stages of an animal’s life where their diet will change. What are those four stages? Carbohydrates are most important for: controlling the animal’s body temperature and transporting nutrients. converting food to energy and producing heat. developing and repairing muscle, skin, hair, and nerves. regulating body glands and protecting against disease. Proteins are complex nutrients mainly used to: control the animal’s body temperature and transport nutrients. develop and repair muscles, skin, hair, and nerves. regulate body glands and protect against disease. support breathing and produce heat for body warmth. An animal showing signs of carbohydrate deficiency will most likely: become extremely excited. have a loss of body heat and energy. have an increase of body heat and energy. show signs of increased energy. Which symptom is common to almost all nutrient deficiencies and therefore hard to isolate to one deficiency? Anemia Muscle tremors Rickets Slow growth Fats aid in absorbing fat-soluble vitamins and have 2.25 times more energy than: calcium. carbohydrates. minerals. vitamins. When animals do not receive enough water, one of the first signs is: bright eyes. glossy hair coat. increased weight gain. overheating. Water is considered the most important nutrient because: bone joints are lubricated with water. protein is its major component. water converts food to energy and produces heat. water makes up 55 to 65% of the animal’s body. Which is most true of vitamins in the small animal's diet? Needed in very large amounts Needed in very small amounts Provide most of the energy needed Regulate body temperature of small animals The nutrient most important for producing enzymes and providing material for the growth of bones and teeth is: carbohydrates. fats. minerals. proteins.