1 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

2 Consumer Skull & Teeth Comparisons

3 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.

4 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.

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

6 The Ruminant Digestive System Esophagus Rumen Reticulum Omasum Abomasum Small intestine Cecum Colon Rectum

7 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.

8 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

9 The Non-Ruminant Digestive System Esophagus Stomach Small intestine Cecum Colon Rectum

10 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

11 The Cecal Fermenter Digestive System Esophagus Stomach Small intestine Cecum Colon Rectum

12 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

13 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 villi Metabolism – nutrients are removed from the bloodstream and used by the body organs for things like bone and hair growth, maintaining body temperature, etc.

14 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.

15 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.

16 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.

17 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

18 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!

19 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

20 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