Diet and Painted Dogs

Transcription

1 A Painted Dog s Dinner

2 Diet and Painted Dogs Providing appropriate food of good nutritional quality is a basic requirement for animals maintained in a captive environment. There are many considerations for Painted dogs when it comes to providing the optimal diet. Wild Cousins Painted Dogs are carnivores which rely on team co-operation. Hunting communally, usually at dusk and dawn, the dogs provide food for all pack members. They will regurgitate food particularly for young pups. They will also work together to defend their kill from other predators or scavengers. Painted Dogs will select their prey animal after beginning the chase. They may choose animals which hihare old, sick ikor young i.e. which are potentially the easiest to catch. On average, Painted Dogs are thought to consume around 3kg of food per day but this can range from kg depending on factors such as pack size and prey availability. E.Astbury Painted dogs mainly prey on species which are most abundant in their environment, such as impala. Some Considerations There are many factors to consider when evaluating Painted Dog nutrition, such as their carnivorous status. Many canid species actually eat a variety of foods other than meat. As Painted Dogs do not tend to do this, in deciding what to feed them, often the nutritional requirements for both dogs and cats are considered. Of course, the quality of nutrients provided must be successful in maintaining the Painted Dog throughout its life, including important stages such as reproduction. It is true that these animals will never have the selection of prey they have in the wild, as captive food provision will be limited in type and variety. It is, however, also true that they will not have to hunt over long distances, therefore their energy requirements will be decreased. What is important is that within a captive environment, Painted Dogs are not only provided with nutritionally balanced and appropriate foods, but also foods that provide enrichment. 1

3 Providing the Optimum In captivity Painted Dogs tend to be fed once a day. It may, however, be more natural to provide food twice a day to match their activity in the wild of hunting at dawn and dusk. A typical diet may consist of a mixture of raw meat, dried dog food and additional items such as bones. Whole prey items (rabbits, mice, calves) can also be provided regularly. Such food items are not only nutritionally valuable, but provide enrichment and bones in particular will help to maintain dental health. Plan of Action Where nutritional guidance already exists for a species e.g. with the British and Irish, European or World Association of Zoos and Aquaria (BIAZA, EAZA, WAZA), it is important to adhere to those recommendations. Where there is no existing guidance, diets can be formulated and monitored within an organisation by the people responsible for the animals (keepers, vets and/or a nutritionist). It is vital to provide the optimal nutrition and to be aware and responsive to changes in the animal under care. George Adamson Wildlife Preservation Trust The addition of cubs to the group would give rise to extra nutritional considerations. It is possible that a purely dry diet causes stomach issues such as diarrhoea, therefore a raw meat biased mix is optimal. Painted Dogs require around 18-24% protein in their diet with the full range of vitamins and minerals for optimal health. Specific levels of these nutrients would need monitoring throughout the varying phases of their lifetime. It may be, particularly if being monitored, that the dogs would need to be fed separately. Fresh water and a safe and sanitary environment are also basic requirements. In order to record and standardise Painted Dog diet in captivity, as with all other species, it is advisable to devise a recipe card. The information can then be presented in a clear and concise way for practitioners to follow. All good practice also includes techniques for monitoring, such as forms to be filled in on a daily basis. 2

4 The type of information required on a standardised recipe card maybe as follows: Species information and picture Estimated energy requirements Diet description (Food type and quantity) Information about seasonal requirements Food preparation instructions with a picture Food presentation and enrichment guidance Diet composition table (e.g. % protein, fat) Reference to other existing guidelines Example Diet for a Painted Dog (Prybyl and Crissey, 1999) Staple diet (twice a day): 680 g meat based diet 113 g dry dog food Additional items: e.g. Beef shank bone A Keeper s Perspective Feeding whole food to the dogs is very important. This can be done every second or third day and can consist of calves, deer, large joints or small items such as rabbits. This food can also be dusted with a carnivore supplement powder. The dogs also exhibit their natural behaviour with much vocalising prior to eating their food. It is also made even more enriching when the food is hidden in places such as up a tree, in the pool, or in tall grass. Images Alison Maclean, RZSS Feeding of whole foods to a pack of Painted Dogs is extremely enriching and encourages natural behaviour in the individuals and as a functioning pack. 3

5 Summary The Painted Dog is a carnivore, hunting co-operatively for wild prey, and regurgitating ti meat for pups. Each dog can eat on average around 3 kg of meat (range kg). An appropriate and enriching diet is a basic requirement for captive Painted Dogs. They can be fed once/twice a day on a raw meat biased diet with dry dog food, and additional items such as bones/joints. It is important and enriching to provide whole foods to a pack of Painted Dogs, especially to encourage natural behaviours and pack bonding. Existing guidance should be followed, o and/or an appropriate ate diet plan formulated, which also incorporates monitoring procedures. Acknowledgement Thank you to Sharron Hatton, Head Carnivore Keeper at Edinburgh Zoo, for input, advice and images (Courtesy of Alison Maclean). Reference Pribyl, L. and S. Crissey (1999) Diets for African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) management guidelines. In: African Wild Dog SSP - Husbandry Manual. American Association of Zoos and Aquariums Available at: 4