Pet nutrition

Feeding is an important factor in cats' and dog's life. A lot of research has been done to determine the nutrient needs of dogs and cats. In fact, probably more is known about pet nutrition than human nutrition.

Incorrect feeding of a growing little one affects body weight, height and constitution of an animal. If the feeding is incorrect, our pets can develop various serious diseases. Unbalanced feeding can also reduce fertilization ability.

Clever owner organizes feeding of domestic animals cor­rectly, regulates the amount of food in accordance with their physiological needs. Feeding must be full (that is, should take into account the quality of nutrition), well-balanced (that is, should consider the interaction of certain substances in food and in the organism) and rational (should consider correct consumption of forage sources when scheduling a diet).

Most pet owners today feed their pets on commercial foods which are well-formulated and have no nutritional defi­ciencies. It is difficult to prepare a homemade diet that con­tains all the nutrients the animal requires so in most cases it is easier and safer to feed a commercial food.

In general both cats and dogs are omnivorous. They can eat meat, fish, milk, vegetable and grassy food. From time to time they eat grass or houseplants. In this way they get minerals and vitamins.

Упражнение3. Переведите на русский язык: determine the nutrient needs; pet nutrition; a growing little one; incorrect feeding; develop serious diseases; un­ balanced feeding; reduce fertilization ability; in accord­ance with their physiological needs; take into account;
the interaction of certain substances; consumption of forage sources; scheduling a diet; nutritional deficiency­; a homemade diet; grassy food.

Упражнение 4. Объясните значение нижеприведенных слов и словосочетаний по-английски:

domestic animals; full feeding; well-balanced feeding; ra­tional feeding; commercial foods; omnivorous.

Упражнение 5. Сделайте сообщения по следующим вопросам:

a) Well-balanced feeding of domestic animals.

b) The advantages of commercial foods.

c) Problems connected with a homemade diet.