Suitable Diet

Question 1

What does a balanced diet depend upon?

Answer 1

Species, life stage and types of feed available

Question 2

When should keepers top up mixed feeds?

Answer 2

After all components are eaten

Question 3

What does topping up mixed feeds after all components have been eaten prevent?

Answer 3

Malnutrition

Question 4

What do keepers need to consider when choosing feeds?

Answer 4

Types, costs & storage

Question 5

Name the cheapest and easiest type of food to store

Answer 5

Frozen foods

Question 6

State a feature of pelleted feed

Answer 6

May contain higher nutritional values than similar quantities of fresh or baled feed

Question 7

How should pelleted feed be stored?

Answer 7

Pelleted feed should be stored in airtight containers

Question 8

Why should pelleted feed be stored in airtight containers?

Answer 8

Prevent animals, flies and damp getting into/contaminating the food

Question 9

Name the seven main nutrients

Answer 9

Carbohydrates, protein, water, fibre, fats (lipids), vitamins & minerals

Question 10

State the nutrient that working animals require more of and explain why

Answer 10

Working animals require large amounts of carbohydrates because they are more active and use more energy

Question 11

Which nutrient do lactating animals require more of and why?

Answer 11

Lactating animals require more calcium because they are producing calcium-rich milk to promote bone growth & development in their young

Question 12

Name the life stages

Answer 12

Juvenile, Adult, Senior, Lactating, Working

Question 13

State the causes of nutritional problems

Answer 13

Diarrhoea, diabetes, obesity & nutritional deficiencies

Question 14

What is recommended to owners/keepers before they get an animal?

Answer 14

Research the dietary requirements

Question 15

Name three ‘human’ foods that are toxic to animals

Answer 15

Chocolate, onions & xylitol (artificial sweetener)

Question 16

Which chemical in chocolate makes it toxic for animals?

Answer 16

Theobromine

Question 17

What can be provided if an animal happens to lack a nutrient?

Answer 17

Supplementation

Question 18

Give an example of supplementation

Answer 18

Putting calcium powder on a reptile’s food

Question 19

Which nutrient groups are usually used for supplementation?

Answer 19

Vitamins and minerals

Question 20

What do supplements prevent?

Answer 20

Common nutritional problems

Question 21

Which amino acid is abundant in cat food?

Answer 21

Taurine

Question 22

Which nutrient is abundant in guinea pig food?

Answer 22

Vitamin C

Question 23

Name a nutrition based disease

Answer 23

Metabolic Bone Disease

Question 24

In which type of species is Metabolic Bone Disease found in?

Answer 24

Reptiles

Question 25

State a feature of Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)

Answer 25

Bones of the reptile become brittle or bendy

Question 26

Which minerals are deficient in a reptile with Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)?

Answer 26

Calcium & Phosphorus

Question 27

What can be added to a reptiles' enclosures to prevent MBD?

Answer 27

UVB lights

Question 28

Why would the inclusion of UVB lights in reptiles' enclosures prevent the development of MBD?

Answer 28

UVB lights allow reptiles to have access to vitamin D3 - which then allows the reptiles to absorb calcium and phosphorus from their food.

Question 29

State a common sign of MBD in reptiles

Answer 29

Kinks in the tail

Question 30

State a dietary requirement of cattle

Answer 30

Good-sized grazing area (which is safe and secure)

Question 31

Name another dietary requirement of cows

Answer 31

Feeding troughs in a sheltered area

Question 32

How should food be changed in feeding troughs?

Answer 32

Food should be gradually changed in feeding troughs

Question 33

What do concentrated feeds provide livestock with?

Answer 33

Concentrated sources of necessary nutrients

Question 34

Outline a feature of the dietary requirements of horses

Answer 34

Good-quality grass and hay should form the bulk of the diet & necessary electrolytes for normal bodily function

Question 35

What can be provided in a stabled area to function as food enrichment for horses?

Answer 35

Salt licks or loose salt

Question 36

What do some hindgut fermenter species produce and consume to absorb any unabsorbed nutrients from their food?

Answer 36

Caecotrophs

Question 37

What are caecotrophs?

Answer 37

Type of faeces that needs to be ingested upon expulsion to break down any absorb any unabsorbed nutrients

Question 38

What can occur if caecotroph animals don't consume their caecotrophs?

Answer 38

Malnutrition

Question 39

What is eating faeces also known as?

Answer 39

Caprophagy