Table 1. Target nutrient levels for carnivores on a dry matter basis (NRC, 2006).
Nutrient Growth Maintenance Gestation/Lactation All
Protein, % 22.5 20.00 21.3-30.0 20.0–30.0
Fat, % 9.00 9.00 15.00 9.0–15.0
Linoleic acid, % 0.55 0.55 0.55 0.55
Vitamin A, IU/g 3.55 3.55 7.50 3.55–7.50
Vitamin D3, IU/g 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25
Vitamin E, mg/kg 38.00 38.00 38.00 38.00
Vitamin K, mg/kg 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Thiamin, ppm 5.50 5.60 5.50 5.5–5.6
Riboflavin, ppm 4.25 4.25 4.25 4.25
Niacin, ppm 42.50 42.50 42.50 42.50
Vitamin B6, ppm 2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50
Folic acid, ppm 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75
Biotin, ppm 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.08
Vitamin B12, ppm 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02
Pantothenic acid,ppm 6.25 6.25 6.25 6.25
Choline, ppm 2550.00 2550.00 2550.00 2550.00
Calcium, % 0.80 0.291 1.08 0.29–1.081
Phosphorus, % 0.72 0.261 0.76 0.26–0.721
Magnesium, % 0.04 0.04 0.06 0.04-0.06
Potassium, % 0.40 0.52 0.52 0.40-0.52
Sodium, % 0.14 0.07 0.13 0.07-0.14
Iron, ppm 80.00 80.00 80.00 80.00
Zinc, ppm 75.00 75.00 60.00 60.00-70.00
Copper, ppm 8.40 5.00 8.80 5.00-8.80
Manganese, ppm 4.80 4.80 7.20 4.80-7.20
Iodine, ppm 2.20 2.20 2.20 2.20
Selenium, ppm 4.40 4.40 4.40 4.40
It is important to note that strict carnivores require higher levels of amino acids, taurine, preformed vitamin A, niacin, and arachidonic acid (NRC, 1986; AZA, 2012). Based on the energy and nutritional requirements outlined in the previous chapters appropriate diets can be formulated and implemented.
Protein
Lions require more total protein as well as higher levels of the amino acids methionine and cystine (AZA, 2012). When faced with starvation or low protein diets, cats do not have the ability to conserve nitrogen (AZA, 2012).
Carbohydrate
The strictly carnivorous diet of lions results in low carbohydrate consumption. Glucose is the main carbohydrate that serves as an energy source for tissues; lions derive glucose from protein and fat through the glucogenic pathways (Morris and Rodgers, 1983).
Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acid requirements can be met by lionleic acids, linolenic acids and arachidonic acid (NRC, 1986; AZA, 2012).
Vitamins
Lions cannot convert provitamin A compounds, such as beta-carotene, to retinol and consequently, retinol, retinyl acetate or palmitate is required in the diet (NRC, 1986; AZA, 2012). Additionally, lions cannot convert the amino acid tryptophan to nican, so a dietary source of niacin is also required (NRC, 1986; AZA, 2012).
Water
A clean source of potable drinking water should be available at all times, and all water bowls or drinking receptacles should be cleaned and sanitized daily (AZA, 2012).
Nutrient Growth Maintenance Gestation/Lactation All
Protein, % 22.5 20.00 21.3-30.0 20.0–30.0
Fat, % 9.00 9.00 15.00 9.0–15.0
Linoleic acid, % 0.55 0.55 0.55 0.55
Vitamin A, IU/g 3.55 3.55 7.50 3.55–7.50
Vitamin D3, IU/g 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25
Vitamin E, mg/kg 38.00 38.00 38.00 38.00
Vitamin K, mg/kg 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Thiamin, ppm 5.50 5.60 5.50 5.5–5.6
Riboflavin, ppm 4.25 4.25 4.25 4.25
Niacin, ppm 42.50 42.50 42.50 42.50
Vitamin B6, ppm 2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50
Folic acid, ppm 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75
Biotin, ppm 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.08
Vitamin B12, ppm 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02
Pantothenic acid,ppm 6.25 6.25 6.25 6.25
Choline, ppm 2550.00 2550.00 2550.00 2550.00
Calcium, % 0.80 0.291 1.08 0.29–1.081
Phosphorus, % 0.72 0.261 0.76 0.26–0.721
Magnesium, % 0.04 0.04 0.06 0.04-0.06
Potassium, % 0.40 0.52 0.52 0.40-0.52
Sodium, % 0.14 0.07 0.13 0.07-0.14
Iron, ppm 80.00 80.00 80.00 80.00
Zinc, ppm 75.00 75.00 60.00 60.00-70.00
Copper, ppm 8.40 5.00 8.80 5.00-8.80
Manganese, ppm 4.80 4.80 7.20 4.80-7.20
Iodine, ppm 2.20 2.20 2.20 2.20
Selenium, ppm 4.40 4.40 4.40 4.40
It is important to note that strict carnivores require higher levels of amino acids, taurine, preformed vitamin A, niacin, and arachidonic acid (NRC, 1986; AZA, 2012). Based on the energy and nutritional requirements outlined in the previous chapters appropriate diets can be formulated and implemented.
Protein
Lions require more total protein as well as higher levels of the amino acids methionine and cystine (AZA, 2012). When faced with starvation or low protein diets, cats do not have the ability to conserve nitrogen (AZA, 2012).
Carbohydrate
The strictly carnivorous diet of lions results in low carbohydrate consumption. Glucose is the main carbohydrate that serves as an energy source for tissues; lions derive glucose from protein and fat through the glucogenic pathways (Morris and Rodgers, 1983).
Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acid requirements can be met by lionleic acids, linolenic acids and arachidonic acid (NRC, 1986; AZA, 2012).
Vitamins
Lions cannot convert provitamin A compounds, such as beta-carotene, to retinol and consequently, retinol, retinyl acetate or palmitate is required in the diet (NRC, 1986; AZA, 2012). Additionally, lions cannot convert the amino acid tryptophan to nican, so a dietary source of niacin is also required (NRC, 1986; AZA, 2012).
Water
A clean source of potable drinking water should be available at all times, and all water bowls or drinking receptacles should be cleaned and sanitized daily (AZA, 2012).