Title: Determine the nutritional value of animal feeds as they relate to dietary requirements of life stages.
Course: Veterinary Science I (18105-I) > Section: Understanding Animal Nutrition

Determination should include

- identifying the parts of a feed label
- identifying the optimal diet for each life stage
- interpreting the information on feed labels
- analyzing information on feed labels to verify claims
- identifying the legal requirements of specific parts of the label
- identifying the role of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) in these legal requirements.

Process/Skill Questions:

- How can the information on feed labels be verified?
- What tests can be performed to sample feed for nutrients?
- What equipment and supplies are necessary to conduct these tests?
- What safety procedures should be observed during testing?
- Why is it important to understand dry matter analysis when comparing canned (wet) food to dry (kibble) food?
- What is a guaranteed analysis?
- What is a nutritional adequacy statement?
- How are ingredients listed on a food label?
- What is the difference between a food labeled “Beef for dogs” and “Beef dinner for dogs”?
- Why are “grain-free” diets not necessarily a healthy choice? What conditions are associated with this type of diet?