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You are what you eat!

•Herbivores – vegetarians like cattle, sheep, goats and rabbits

•Carnivores – flesh eaters like dogs, cats

•Omnivores – eat meat and plants like humans, pigs, chickens

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Consumer Skull & Teeth Comparisons

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Carnivores

• Carnivores have pointed canines and incisors for obtaining and tearing flesh. Sharp molars and premolars are essential for tearing flesh. Eyes usually point forward for keen vision in sighting prey.

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Herbivores

• Herbivores have teeth adapted to biting off plant material and grinding food into smaller pieces. Eyes are usually on the side of head to spot and avoid predators.

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Omnivores

• Omnivores have teeth adapted for eating a variety of foods. Eyes usually point forward.

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The Ruminant Digestive System

Esophagus

Rumen

ReticulumOmasum

Abomasum

Small intestine

Cecum

Colon

Rectum

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Ruminant Digestion• Ruminants eat rapidly and do not chew their food

completely before swallowing. Solid parts go to the rumen. In the rumen, feed is mixed and partially broken down by bacteria. When the rumen is full, the animal lies down to regurgitate and rechew the feed. This is called rumination - chewing the cud. 5-7 hours each day are spent in rumination. Bacteria and microbes in the rumen allow the animal

to consume large quantities of roughage (hay, grass, and silage).

These bacteria change low-quality protein into amino acids which are essential for growth and maintenance of cells.

The digestion by microbes in the rumen produces large amounts of methane and carbon dioxide. If these gases form faster than the animal can eliminate them, bloating occurs.

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Ruminant Digestion• From the rumen, the liquid parts go to the reticulum

(honeycomb - attached to the rumen), then to the omasum (manyplies), and on to the abomasum (the true stomach). The reticulum breaks feed into smaller particles, adds saliva and

water to aid in digestion. Any foreign objects such as wire or nails are held here.

The omasum grinds feed and may squeeze some water out. The abomasum is called the true stomach. Feed is mixed with

gastric juices and digestion is carried out like in non-ruminants. Small intestine - digestion continues here; majority of the

absorption of nutrients occurs in the small intestine Pancreas - Gland which secretes digestive juices into the small

intestine for digestion of carbohydrates, proteins and fats Liver - secretes bile into the small intestine to help digest fats Gall bladder - temporary storage of bile from the liver Cecum - (blind gut) little function

Large intestine - absorbs water; site of some digestion by bacteria; adds lubricant to ease transportation of material through tract

Anus - area where undigested food is removed from the body

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The Non-Ruminant Digestive System

Esophagus

Stomach

Small intestine

Cecum

ColonRectum

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Non-Ruminant/ Monogastric Digestion

Mouth and teeth - breakdown of food through grinding and chemicals (saliva)

Esophagus - passes food from the mouth to the stomach Stomach - breaks down food through chemical action and

allows some absorption of small particles Small intestine - more digestive juices (chemicals) added;

most absorption of food into blood occurs here Pancreas - gland which secretes juices to digest carbohydrates,

fats and proteins into the small intestines Liver - secretes bile into the small intestine to help digest fats Gall bladder - temporary storage of bile from the liver Cecum - little function

Large intestine - absorbs water out of the food; also adds a lubricant to make passage through the tract easier

Rectum - connects the large intestine to the anus Anus - opening where undigested food is passed out of the

body

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The Cecal Fermenter Digestive System

Esophagus

Stomach

Small intestine

Cecum

Colon

Rectum

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Cecal Fermenter Digestion Mouth - grasping food; physical and chemical breakdown of food

(chewing or grinding and saliva) Esophagus - moves food and liquid from the mouth to the

stomach Stomach - digestion of proteins and fats due to digestive juices Small intestine - digestion of proteins, fats and starch due to

juices; absorption of many nutrients. Pancreas - secretes juices to aid in digestion of fats Liver - direct secretion of bile to aid in the digestion of fats

Large intestine - made up of the following parts Cecum - microorganism (bacterial) digestion of fiber Large colon - some bacteria for digestion of cellulose, making B-

vitamins and amino acids (part of proteins); absorbs some fatty acids Small colon - absorbs water; site of formation of characteristic balls of

feces (undigested material which is expelled from the animal) Rectum - connects the large intestine to the anus Anus - opening where undigested material passes out of the body

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The Digestive Process Mechanical digestion – begins in the mouth where food is chewed and broken down into smaller pieces

Chemical digestion – enzymes and acids reduce food particle size and change particles into forms that can be used by the animal

Peristalsis – a muscular contraction that causes food to move through the digestive tract

Absorption – nutrients are absorbed into the blood stream through the intestinal villiMetabolism – nutrients are removed from the bloodstream and used by the body organs for things like bone and hair growth, maintaining body temperature, etc.

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Nutrient Functions • Protein

– Development and repair of body organs and tissues.

– Production of wool, milk,eggs. – Fetal development. – Production of hormones and enzymes. – Antibody development. – Transmission of DNA.

• Carbohydrates– Support bodily functions such as breathing,

digestion, and exercise. – Help maintain body temperature. – Store fat.

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Nutrient Functions• Lipids (fats)

– Enhance palatability and caloric value of feed. – Provide energy. – Provide fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. – Aid in absorption of fat soluble vitamins. – Help maintain body temperature. – Provide essential materials for hormone secretion.

• Water– Support biochemical reactions (respiration,

digestion, etc.)– Transport of nutrients. – Help maintain body temperature. – Helps give the body its form. – Carries waste form the body.

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Major Nutrients’ Functions cont.

• Vitamins– Regulate digestion, absorption, metabolism,

gland activity, and cell formation. – Necessary for normal vision. – Fights diseases. – Develop a healthy nervous system.

• Minerals– Furnish structural material for teeth and bones. – Aid in building body tissue, digestion, muscle

activity, and transmission of messages through the nervous system.

– Part of hormones.

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Marketing Concepts

• Nutritional value – markets food based on specific nutritional content of the food.

• All purpose – based on the concept that one food is adequate for all stages of the pet’s life.

• Price – uses “low price” concept or “more for your money”. Price can be very misleading.

• Palatability – markets based on how the food tastes to the pet

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Cost per Feeding Analysis

• Determines cost per day and per year• Compares pet foods for economical

value (which one gives you more for your money)– The most economical pet food may be

the more expensive one!

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What is Dry Matter• Dry matter = nutrient content of a food after all

water has been removed

• When comparing a wet food to a dry food is necessary to first determine the dry matter content. This gives a more accurate nutritional comparison.

• Dry matter = 100% - moisture– Ex: A canned food with 70% moisture has 30% dry

matter

100% - 70% = 30% dry matter

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• MER = Maintenance Energy Requirements

• MER is the amount of energy needed by an animal to keep it in good health. It varies with age, activity level, production, reproduction, and environmental conditions.

• MER is measured in kilocalories per day (Kcal/day)

Calculating MER Maintenance Energy Requirements