Raccoon dog feed and nutrition: the importance of water
Raccoon dog feed includes animal-based, plant-based and mineral feeds as well as synthetically produced products. How feed is supplied and what it consists of has a major impact on the raccoon dog's health, reproduction and fur quality. Captive-bred raccoon dogs have no choice whatsoever when it comes to feed, so keepers must rationally formulate and supply feed based on the animal's living habits and its nutritional needs during different biological periods. If feed supply is insufficient during any one of these periods, or if the daily ration is nutritionally incomplete or improperly formulated, it will inevitably affect production results for the entire year.
Scientific feeding must be practiced. It is necessary to understand the effect of each nutrient in the feed on the raccoon dog. Only by rationally formulating the daily ration according to the raccoon dog's nutritional needs and the nutritional characteristics of each feed can you achieve the lowest feed consumption and obtain the best economic benefits.
The nutrients contained in feed mainly include water, protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and inorganic salts. Their nutritional functions are described below:
Water is an indispensable nutrient for animals. Animals are more sensitive to water deprivation than to food deprivation, and it more easily causes death.
Water is the solvent for many substances in the body. Most nutrients must be dissolved in water before they can be absorbed and utilized by the body. At the same time, the metabolic wastes produced during the animal's life activities also dissolve only in water and are excreted from the body in the form of aqueous solution. Water can directly participate in various biochemical reactions in the body and can regulate body temperature. Water exists in various tissue cells, keeping cells in a certain shape, hardness and elasticity. Water can lubricate tissues, reducing friction and impact between the various organs, etc. Artificial raccoon dog farming must ensure the supply of sufficient, clean drinking water.