ABSTRACT
Providing for an animal's nutritional needs, as well as an appropriate environment to reside, is the cornerstone of animal husbandry. Feed and bedding can directly influence experimental outcomes, as their chemical and physical characteristics can affect the animal's physiology. The provision of high-quality feed to animals is essential to meet their physiologic needs, specifically growth, maintenance, and reproduction. There are numerous products, which differ in nutrient content, available in various formulations from a variety of feed manufacturers. Natural-ingredient diets are formulated from agricultural- and/or animal-based ingredients, such as processed whole grains and fish meal, and commodities subjected to limited refinement. Extruded diet is produced by extrusion, a process in which ingredients are exposed to high heat and pressure. Bedding is an integral component of the husbandry provided to most terrestrial species. It is used to absorb, dilute, and/or limit the animal's contact with its excreta, and is used for nest building; provides insulation and therefore allows the animal to thermoregulate.
