Diet of captive lions
In the wild carnivores consume majority of their prey not just the muscle meat, they may eat and gain nutritional benefits from other parts of the carcass including the blood, guts, organs, bones, fat, and hair/feathers (Kleiman et al, 1996; Hosey, Melfi and Pankhurst, 2009).
Muscle meats composition varies significantly from whole prey items (Kleiman et al, 1996). Muscle meats are generally good sources of amino acids, some minerals (such as sodium, potassium, iron, selenium, and zinc) and some B vitamins (such as niacin) but they are very low in calcium (calcium: phosphorus ratios are on average 1:15 to 1:30), manganese and fat soluble vitamins (such as vitamin D, vitamin E and in most cases vitamin A) (NRC, 1986; Kleiman et al, 1996). If muscle meat must be fed to lions at a significant level in the diet or exclusively, the following supplementation is recommended per 2kg of muscle: 5g of calcium carbonate, 10g of dicalcium phosphate and 1.5g (1 tablet) Centrum multivitamin mineral tablets (Ullrey and Bernard, 1989; AZA, 2012).
Carcasses or whole prey may be considered undesirable because their fat content, or because it can be a vector for disease or parasites (Hosey, Melfi and Pankhurst, 2009). Conversely feeding carcasses has been shown to beneficial for improving muscle and body condition, and it also provides some stimulation to teeth and gums preventing dental problems such as gingivitis and oral abscesses (Kleiman et al, 1996; Hosey, Melfi and Pankhurst, 2009). The AZA Nutrition Advisory Group only condones carcass feeding as part of a feeding programme that ensures the diet of the animal is nutritionally balanced and free from pathogens (AZA, 2012). Whole carcasses fed to captive lions include deer, goats, sheep, whole or quartered, turkeys and chickens (AZA, 2012).
Now specifically formulated diets or meat mixes for zoo carnivores are available with all the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals included, which makes feeding animals a formulated diet easier than trying to quantify the nutritional composition of naturally occurring foods (Hosey, Melfi and Pankhurst, 2009).
Appropriate diets include meat mixes, bones, whole prey or carcass, and some slab meat. All or selected items from this list can be fed in combination if the overall nutrient content meets the minimum nutrient concentrations.
The appropriate quantity of diet is determined by the cat’s body weight, activity level, physiological state, and energy content of the diet. Obesity can result from overfeeding and has been noted to be a problem in captivity. The equations generated by Kleiber and McNab can form a base from which to work. When possible, animals should be weighed and body condition visually assessed to monitor if diet changes are needed.
Presentation:
Meat and prey items should be fed cold but not frozen. Food items should be placed in enclosures at times most likely to be consumed by the animal. A recommended guideline is 3 hours in an enclosure. Food pans or areas such as floors where food is offered should be cleaned and sanitized daily.
Muscle meats composition varies significantly from whole prey items (Kleiman et al, 1996). Muscle meats are generally good sources of amino acids, some minerals (such as sodium, potassium, iron, selenium, and zinc) and some B vitamins (such as niacin) but they are very low in calcium (calcium: phosphorus ratios are on average 1:15 to 1:30), manganese and fat soluble vitamins (such as vitamin D, vitamin E and in most cases vitamin A) (NRC, 1986; Kleiman et al, 1996). If muscle meat must be fed to lions at a significant level in the diet or exclusively, the following supplementation is recommended per 2kg of muscle: 5g of calcium carbonate, 10g of dicalcium phosphate and 1.5g (1 tablet) Centrum multivitamin mineral tablets (Ullrey and Bernard, 1989; AZA, 2012).
Carcasses or whole prey may be considered undesirable because their fat content, or because it can be a vector for disease or parasites (Hosey, Melfi and Pankhurst, 2009). Conversely feeding carcasses has been shown to beneficial for improving muscle and body condition, and it also provides some stimulation to teeth and gums preventing dental problems such as gingivitis and oral abscesses (Kleiman et al, 1996; Hosey, Melfi and Pankhurst, 2009). The AZA Nutrition Advisory Group only condones carcass feeding as part of a feeding programme that ensures the diet of the animal is nutritionally balanced and free from pathogens (AZA, 2012). Whole carcasses fed to captive lions include deer, goats, sheep, whole or quartered, turkeys and chickens (AZA, 2012).
Now specifically formulated diets or meat mixes for zoo carnivores are available with all the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals included, which makes feeding animals a formulated diet easier than trying to quantify the nutritional composition of naturally occurring foods (Hosey, Melfi and Pankhurst, 2009).
Appropriate diets include meat mixes, bones, whole prey or carcass, and some slab meat. All or selected items from this list can be fed in combination if the overall nutrient content meets the minimum nutrient concentrations.
The appropriate quantity of diet is determined by the cat’s body weight, activity level, physiological state, and energy content of the diet. Obesity can result from overfeeding and has been noted to be a problem in captivity. The equations generated by Kleiber and McNab can form a base from which to work. When possible, animals should be weighed and body condition visually assessed to monitor if diet changes are needed.
Presentation:
Meat and prey items should be fed cold but not frozen. Food items should be placed in enclosures at times most likely to be consumed by the animal. A recommended guideline is 3 hours in an enclosure. Food pans or areas such as floors where food is offered should be cleaned and sanitized daily.