HUSBANDRY PORTFOLIO FOR THE CHEETAH (ACINONYX JUBATUS)
Diet and Nutrition
Diet Plan
Below are tables of the nutritional values of each feed that would be fed on separate days and the wet weight each item will be fed. They are colour coordinated to compare the nutritional values and assess appropriate feeding schedule in order to provide a nutritionally balanced diet for a captive cheetah of approximately 40kg. The recommended daily requirements were obtained from MSD Veterinary Manuals. Some nutrient values are unknown, primarily the crude fibre values. Carcass feeds are known to be higher in dietary fibre for strict carnivores as skin, bones and cartilage cause fibre like functions for the digestion in cheetahs (Despauw et al, 2013). Bosch et al (2009) investigated the effects of different dietary fibres on the appetite and satiety-related hormones of dogs. They concluded that diets that include high levels of high fermentable fibre lowered voluntary food intake and increased the production of shot chain fatty acids (SCFA) which are associated with positive effects on intestinal function and metabolism (Wong et al. 2006). This could combat common obesity issues within a captive environment and improve the gut health of the animals by promoting and sustaining the diverse microbiota populations within the small and large intestines of cats (Rochus et al. 2014). Gastrointestinal disease has a high prevalence in captive cheetahs in comparison to wild cheetahs (Kotsch et al. 2002). Therefore, a well-balanced nutritional diet for cats can modulate microbial populations and contribute to improving the health of a cat through dietary therapies (Kerr et al. 2014).
Tables 1- 4 (top to bottom): Shows the nutritional values of different feeds.
Bechert et al (2002) suggest that a supplemented meat diet could improve the health and welfare of the animals as it is suggested to minimize dental diseases and improve appetite. However, the nutrient composition of each meat alters drastically and therefore this should be taken into account if feeding a supplemented meat diet in order to ensure all vitamins and minerals are provided. Whitehouse-Tedd et al (2011) argues the suitability of supplemented commercial meat diet as skeletal components were found to reduce the occurrence of diarrhoea and vomiting. Conversely, Bechert et al 2002 found that a commercially prepared raw meat diet met all the needs of the cheetah. However it provided excessive amounts of vitamin A and E. Vitamin A can cause toxicity in cheetahs which can contribute to the development of Veno-occlusive Disease of the liver (Sylie et al. 1989).
Calcium-phosphorous ratio for domestic cats is recommended by the National Research Council to be between 1:1-2:1. Pet-Cal is a supplement often given to domestic dogs and cats. It offers a minimum calcium-phosphorus ration of a 1.25:1. This ratio is important for the urinary tract and kidney function of cats as well as preventing the development of metabolic bone disease (Despauw et al. (2011). However, carcass feeding provides high levels of calcium and phosphorous and in the correct ratios, for example whole rabbit carcasses provide a ratio of 1.6:1, and the levels of calcium and phosphorus were over 5 times higher in whole carcasses than supplemented beef meals (Despauw et al. 2011).
Weekly diet plan
Table 5: Shows a weekly diet plan and the average nutritional values the cheetah will obtain with this schedule.
Marker-Kraus (1997) found that nutritional deficiencies accounted for 7% of the mortality in captive cheetahs under the age of 6 months. As you can see from the table values above, while some feeds are excessive in certain nutrients (for example crude protein in the supplemented beef feed), others are deficient in those nutrients (commercial dry cat food). This comparison emphasizes the importance of a varied diet for captive cheetahs to provide a nutritionally balanced diet plan. Whitehouse-Tedd et al (2015) found that the most common diet given to captive cheetah populations is raw meat, followed by commercially prepared food. Fifty three percent were supplemented with vitamins and minerals. Depauw et al. 2011 suggest that a diet of only a supplemented beef diet or a whole prey diet is not enough to provide appropriate nutrition for captive cheetahs. Whole prey diet was found to supply low levels of taurine which is an essential amino acid for all cat species, whereas the supplemented beef diet provided a low calcium: phosphorus ratio, increasing the risk of metabolic bone disease. Therefore, it is recommended a diet that consists of a single food source is not sufficient for meeting the cheetah’s nutritional needs.
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Table 5 shows a one week feeding schedule that uses the variety of feeds previously analysed. Due to some nutrient values being unknown, some of the nutrients appear to be insufficient. For example, when feeding horse carcass, the calcium and phosphorous levels appear low, however this is because the calcium and phosphorous levels are unknown and have not been imputed. Nonetheless, because of the presence of bones and cartilage in horse carcass, the calcium and phosphorous ratios are estimated to be like that of the chicken, which has sufficient levels of calcium and phosphorous. Not only this, McPhee (2002) investigated the impact of carcass feeding on the behaviour of exotic felids and found that Intact carcasses reduce the occurrence of off-site stereotypies, proving carcass enrichment can not only help to meet the nutritional requirements of the cheetah but they can also improve the behavioural welfare of the animal.
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Altman et al (2005) investigated the effect of gorge and fast feeding captive lions and concluded it increased positive activity levels and improved their nutritional status by increasing digestibility and decreasing general metabolizable energy, combating obesity and inactivity. Therefore, I have implemented this regime into my feeding plan as it mimics the cheetahs natural feeding behaviour.