Importance of food for animals

• The nutritional requirements of most animals are relatively extensive and complex compared with the simple requirements of plants.
• The nutrients used by animals include carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, proteins, minerals, and vitamins.
• Animals need a variety of nutrients to meet their basic needs.
• These nutrients include fats and carbohydrates that provide energy.
• To determine the levels of nutrients that are needed to sustain normal activities, researchers monitor the relationship between nutrient intake, the levels of nutrients maintained in the body, and health.

For example:

• Researchers alter the intake of specific nutrients to determine how nutrition can affect athletic performance.