ANIMAL NUTRITION

Vitamins are nutrients that the body needs in order for it to function adequately and fight off disease. An animal may not always be able to synthesise vitamins which is why it is an essential component for the diet. They are an organic compound and are required in very little amounts for animals.

If an animal is unable to synthesis vitamins they must be provided through food or via supplements. There are 13 vitamins that is essential to the normal functioning of an animals body (Ricketts, 2015).

 

There are two types of classifications of vitamins these are;

• Fat-soluable vitamins

• Water-soluable vitamins

 

Fat-soluable vitamins are mainly found in fatty foods and animal products, such as vegetable oils, milk, dairy foods, eggs, liver and oily fish. Although they are required everyday, animals don't need to eat foods containing them everyday. This is because their bodies store the vitamins within the liver and fatty tissue areas as storage until needed, however excessive amounts can be harmful.

Fat -soluable vitamins are:

• Vitamin A 

• Vitamin D 

• Vitamin E 

• Vitamin K (Choices,2015)

Water-soluable vitamins are not stored within the body, therefore they need to be supplemented more freqently than fat-soluables. They are found in a wide variety of foods such as; fruit, vegetables, grains, milk and dairy products

 

Water-soluble vitamins are:

•  Vitamin C

•  All B vitamins

•  Folic acid (Choices, 2015)