Animal nutritionist

An Animal nutritionist is a person who specializes in the dietary needs of agricultural animals, zoo animals, and pets. Their job sites include farms, laboratories, classrooms and commercial-based marketing for foods. Animal nutrition is a science combining chemistry, physics, biochemistry, mathematics, animal behavior, economics, food processing and animal production techniques.

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Education

A Bachelor of Science in agricultural, biological or related life sciences is usually required. A typical course would study metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, minerals, vitamins and water, and the relationship of these nutrients and animal production.^[1] A Master’s degree in nutrition is often seen in animal nutrition and the field often requires a Ph.D. in the science of nutrition.^[2]

Career activities

Those with an educational background can expect to be employed in the following areas:

• Evaluating the chemical and nutritional value of various animal feeds, feed supplements, grass and forage for livestock, recreational animals such as horses and ponies, pet foods for companion animals, fish, and birds
• Nutritional disorders and the preservation of feeds
• Diet formulation and ration size
• Diets for performance and health
• Diets for reproduction of animals
• Economics of feeding systems
• Dietary regimes
• Animal studies and laboratory trials
• Marketing strategies for new food formulas
• Quality control and performance of feeds
• Investigating nutritional disorders and diet related diseases^[3]

Notable animal nutritionists

• Martin R. Dinnes, Ph.D.
• Mark Edwards, Ph.D.^[4]
• M. Steven Daugherty, Ph.D.^[5]

External links

• Auburn University Department of Animal Nutrition
• Iowa State University Department of Animal Nutrition
• Cal Poly Animal Sciences

References

1. ^ Cal Poly - Areas of Study
2. ^ Auburn University Anmimal Sciences
3. ^ Exploring job types: Animal nutritionist
4. ^ Mark Edwards
5. ^ Steven Daugherty