Feeding and Watering Animals

Upholding animal welfare principles when feeding

Before delivering the food and water to animals, let’s recap on the overarching eight principles of animal welfare which should guide you at all times in your actions towards an animal when feeding and caring for them.

Consider how the principles of animal welfare in the following table relate to delivering food safely and appropriately.

Principle	The animal should have access to:	As an animal carer, you should:
Animals should not suffer from prolonged hunger	food that meets their nutritional requirements	provide adequate amounts of food that are appropriate for the species and the dietary needs of the individual
Animals should not suffer from prolonged thirst	clean drinking water	provide access to clean drinking water
Animals should have a comfortable environment	housing that meets its environmental needs somewhere and comfortable safe to sleep	protect the animal from the elements (e.g. wind, rain, extreme cold or heat) provide an appropriate place to sleep
Animals should have enough space to be able to move around freely	enough room to easily sit, stand, turn around and perform bodily functions (eating, drinking, defecating and urinating)	provide housing that is large enough for the animal to move freely provide the opportunity for the animal to exercise outside the housing if required
Animals should be free of physical injuries	a safe environment that is unlikely to cause injury appropriate medical care	provide housing that is unlikely to cause injury provide appropriate medical care
Animals should be free of disease	clean and hygienic conditions appropriate medical care	ensure the spaces the animal occupies are clean and hygienic provide appropriate medical care
Animals should not suffer pain, fear or stress	appropriate management for its species safe and humane handling non-stressful environments and situations quick and human death (if the animal needs to be put down or is for slaughter)	avoid unnecessary interaction with or handling of the animal handle the animal carefully and respectfully avoid performing unnecessary surgical procedures on the animal avoid stressful situations for the animal, such as exposure to natural predators
Animals should be able to express normal, non-harmful, social behaviours	the opportunity to behave in a manner that is typical of its species	provide opportunities for the animal to groom, play, socialise and interact with other animals, forage for their food and any other behaviours that species of animal would usually exhibit

Keeping the principles in mind, when feeding an animal, you must consider how they might react and ensure the animals feel as little distress as possible during this process.

Last checks before providing food and water

At this stage, you should be ready to feed and water the animals in your workplace according to their feeding plans. It is important to re-read the plan at this point to double-check that you:

• are feeding the correct animal the correct food
• identify potential hazards and behaviours of concern
• are wearing any PPE that you may need.

You must also read the workplace policies and procedures for monitoring animal feeding. The policies and procedures are in place to help you quickly identify health and behaviour problems or changes. Source this information in your animal care workplace, read it and implement it.

Review example procedures in the Daily Animal Health Monitoring Program (pdf) from the University of Wisconsin – Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. Pay careful attention to the monitoring process from the beginning to the end because this will prepare you for your own workplace (University of Wisconsin Madison, 2015).

After carefully considering your feeding plan and workplace policies and procedures, you will now know if you need to put on PPE, how to approach the animal you are feeding safely, and what you need to observe, monitor, and record when feeding the animal or animals in your care.

Handling and Splitting Food based on animal requirements

When you are organising food, there might be at times you need to look at food vs packaging. For example a dog food can is 800mls. The dog requires 400 mls for breakfast and 400 mls for dinner. This means you will need to split the can of dog food to adhere to the food requirements of the animal.

By creating a clear guide with step-by-step instructions and practical examples, students can gain confidence in how to interpret and manage wet food portions.

Understanding Portion Sizes:

• Check Feeding Guidelines: Wet food packages usually include feeding instructions based on the animal's weight, age, and activity level. Use these guidelines as a baseline for dividing food.
• Daily vs. Per Meal Portions: Identify whether the amount given is for the entire day or per meal. If it’s a daily recommendation, divide it into the appropriate number of meals (e.g., twice a day for cats or dogs).

Using Measuring Tools:

• Use scales or measuring cups to accurately portion wet food. This avoids overfeeding and ensures that the correct nutritional intake is maintained.

Handling Multi-Animal Feeding:

• When feeding multiple animals, calculate the individual needs of each animal and then divide the total amount of wet food accordingly. Ensure you account for any dietary differences between the animals (e.g., one animal may need a larger portion due to size or age).

Practical Tips:

• Pre-Portion Food: For easier feeding, divide the wet food into portions when you first open the pack, and store the remaining portions in the refrigerator, clearly labelled for the next meal.
• Use-by Dates: Wet food spoils faster than dry food, so it’s important to store opened portions properly and ensure they are used within the recommended time to prevent waste.

For example, view the info graph below looking at the different portion requirements for animals in the different stages/ ages.

Cat	Bottle Feeding (3-5 weeks): For kittens aged between 3 and 5 weeks, bottle feeding is essential, especially if they are weaned early or have no access to their mother's milk. Use kitten milk replacer (KMRI) in specially designed feeding bottles. Feed small amounts frequently, approximately every 3-4 hours. Moist Food (5 weeks to 6 months): At around 5 weeks, kittens can begin transitioning to soft, moist foods. Start with a mixture of kitten formula and wet kitten food to form a gruel, gradually increasing the amount of wet food. Kittens require frequent meals (about 4 times a day) during this stage. Free Feeding Dry and Wet Food (6 months to 18 years): Adult and senior cats benefit from a combination of dry and wet food. You can free-feed dry food throughout the day, allowing them to graze, while offering wet food at specific meal times (2-3 times a day). This approach provides balanced hydration from the wet food and allows the cat to regulate its intake.
Dog	Bottle Feeding (3-5 weeks): For puppies between 3 and 5 weeks old, bottle feeding is necessary if they are orphaned or unable to nurse. Use puppy milk replacer in specialized feeding bottles, ensuring to feed small amounts every 3-4 hours. Moist or Semi-Solid Food (5-8 weeks): Around 5 weeks, puppies can begin the transition to soft, moist foods. A mix of puppy milk replacer and wet or softened puppy kibble can be given in small meals 4-5 times a day. Scheduled Dry and Wet Food Feeding (6 months to 18 years): Adult and senior dogs benefit from scheduled meals (2-3 times a day), usually consisting of a balanced combination of dry and wet dog food. Free-feeding is not recommended for most dogs as it can lead to overeating.
Guinea Pig	Free-Choice Feeding: Provide unlimited access to high-quality hay (such as timothy or meadow hay) at all times. Pelleted Diet: Offer a formulated guinea pig pellet diet that meets their nutritional needs. Measure the amount based on age and weight, around 1/8 to 1/4 cup per day. Fresh Vegetables and Fruits: Include fresh vegetables daily (e.g., bell peppers, leafy greens) and occasional fruits (e.g., apples) in moderation.
Horse	Free-Choice Forage: Provide unlimited access to high-quality hay or pasture grass. For young horses, free-choice forage helps support their growth and digestive health. Concentrated Feed: Use commercially formulated grains or pelleted foods designed for horses, adjusting the amount based on age, weight, and activity level. Supplementation: Depending on the horse's needs, add supplements like vitamins or minerals, especially for young or older horses.
Snake	Prey Size Appropriateness: Offer prey that is appropriately sized for the snake’s age and species. For young snakes, this includes pinky or fuzzy mice, while adult snakes can be fed larger prey like adult mice or rats. Feeding Frequency: Young snakes require more frequent feedings (every 5-7 days), while adult snakes may be fed every 1-2 weeks. Live or Frozen-Thawed Prey: Use either live or frozen-thawed prey. Frozen-thawed prey is safer and more humane, but live prey can also be used with close monitoring.

How to deliver food in a manner that is safe and appropriate to the animal

Before commencing feeding any animal, it is essential to be aware of potential hazards that may exist or occur in food distribution. Consider the following hazards to animals and humans in food distribution.

Common hazards

• Animal movement and handling
• Excessive noise
• Organic and other dust
• Possibility of zoonotic infection
• Sharps injuries (cuts and stabbing)
• Temperature when handling foods and when serving foods to animals
• Amounts given (too little or too much)
• Slipping on water or food spills
• Medications (giving incorrect medication or not medicating animals when needed)
• Zoonotic diseases (not wearing the correct PPE when placing foods into cages)
• Manual handling

Hazardous animal behaviour during feeding

In the animal care industry, you need to understand animal temperaments and behaviours related to the associated hazards and risks to animals and staff during animal feeding.

It’s easy to evaluate animal behaviour by remembering three categories, as identified by the Madison Shelter Medicine Program:

1. Interaction with people – how is the animal responding to you, and how has it responded to people previously?
2. Acclimation – how is the animal responding to their new environment?
3. Approachability – do you feel comfortable approaching this animal? Will you be safe? (University of Wisconsin Madison, 2015)

Cage cards, warning labels and animal histories will hold information about handling animals. Therefore, it is essential to read these to ensure you choose the best PPE and handling techniques for individual animals when feeding.

The following table summarises some common behaviours. Observe if your animal is displaying any of the following characteristics of animal behaviour and alter your approach to the task at hand accordingly.

Behavioural indicators

Indictors of confidence and willingness to be approached	Indicators of stress	Submissive gestures	Defensive gestures
Relaxed body tone and tail wagging Standing still or remaining sitting or lying down when approached Interested and excited about human interaction Approaching the front of enclosure	Aggressive behaviour Subdued behaviour Trembling Vocalisation Hiding Inappetence (not eating)	Lowering body Rolling onto back Tail between legs Turning away from handler	Defending territory, other animals or food Growling, barking, hissing and spitting Hair along spine raised – hackles are up Lunging forward Pecking Striking out with paws

You must understand the characteristics of the species and breeds you work with and know how to reduce the risks. For example, if you work with cats, make sure you have had training in and understand cat behaviour.

Indicators of Stress in Cats (pdf) from Daily Monitoring of Communal Cat Rooms is a good example of the type of detailed information you will need before approaching an animal.

Seek out the behavioural information relating to the animals in your care in your own workplace to keep yourself and the animal safe before, during and after feeding and watering.

You should only work with species you are trained in and refer to any organisational policies and procedures pertaining to use of PPE and safe handling of animals.

Verbally report hazards or incidents you encounter to your workplace supervisor. If advised, use the appropriate work health and safety hazard, risk or incident form to fill in and hand to your WHS officer within the time frame as determined by your animal care workplace.

Your supervisor should take appropriate measures to ensure that this hazard or incident is dealt with and resolved efficiently and correctly.

Select and correctly fit appropriate personal protective equipment

Once you have prepared the food, re-read the feeding plan and take note of your animal’s behaviour. Now it’s time to consider what personal protective equipment (PPE) you need to deliver the food, feed supplements and water safely.

PPE is one of the levels of the hierarchy of control in controlling the spread of infection. Using the PPE will help minimise exposure of the veterinary and animal care staff to pathogens by decreasing the contamination of clothing and skin. It is also a barrier between you and the animals’ natural weapons, such as talons, teeth, nails, hooves and beaks. Make sure all your PPE is correctly fitted before use. Otherwise, items like gloves or boots may produce further hazards by slipping off or tripping the wearer.

Common PPE in the animal care industry

Six common examples of PPE equipment and clothing used in veterinary or animal care practices to reduce the spread of infection include:

Gowns (non-sterile)

Non-sterile gowns will provide you more protection than a lab coat or a scrub top and are mostly used in association with gloves and masks when barrier nursing and handling animals that are suspected of having an infectious disease.

Lab (over)coats

In veterinary and animal care practices, lab (over) coats should be worn when handling animals if there is no chance of splashing liquids.

Scrub suits/tops/overalls

Scrub suits, tops and overalls are more frequently used in veterinary clinics as protective wear. Their use means that everyday clothes cannot be contaminated. Overalls would commonly be used when dealing with large animals or in a kennel facility.

Gloves

Gloves, whether they are powdered or non-powdered will reduce the risk of contamination. It is important that these are worn whenever there is a possibility of contact with any raw foods. Leather and other types of thick gloves are commonly used as a physical barrier. Ensure you select the right size for your hands, so they don’t slip off or constrain you while wearing them.

Mask and glasses

Correctly fitting masks and glasses to protect your respiratory tract and eyes. Follow the instructions to ensure they are fitted correctly and protect you sufficiently.

Footwear

Many forget that correctly sized footwear plays an important role in daily PPE. The type of footwear to use depends on the animal and situation you are working in. For example, if you are dealing with large animals or working in a shelter you may wear boots, such as reinforced-toe boots or gumboots.

At a clinic or doggy day care wearing non-slip closed-in shoes would be sufficient. Footwear protects your feet if you stand on items and if an animal stands on your foot or you drop a sharp item.

Examples of PPE in feeding animals

The following are a few examples of animals and the minimum PPE you should wear when feeding them:

• Guinea pigs – gloves
• Cats and dogs – gloves, long pants and boots or non-slip closed-in shoes and hearing protection in a kennel situation
• Horses – fully enclosed footwear such as leather work boots or steel caps and an approved high visibility vest.

When should PPE be used?

As useful as PPE is, it is one of the least effective control methods for protecting the user from risks. Therefore, PPE should only be used:

• as a last resort when the other control measures are not practical
• as an interim measure until a more effective way of controlling the risk can be used
• to supplement higher-level control measures.

Using protective equipment is vital, however, when working with animals who are known to be aggressive, especially if the animal requires restraint. Your workplace will have procedures related to the types of PPE you need to wear to stay safe at work and when to wear it. Always ensure you wear PPE correctly and ensure it is correctly fitted to provide the maximum level of safety for the task.

Review the video PPE for equine veterinarians (5:23 min), which explains how to evaluate an animal’s health in order to select the appropriate PPE.

Food and water vessels

Now it’s time to choose how you will present the food and water to the animal you are feeding. Your animal care workplace will already have dedicated feeding vessels. Which one you select will be dependent on the species, breed, age, medical needs and activity levels of the animal. You should be aware of the pros and cons of the selection.

Considerations when selecting vessels

• Choose the material of the vessels carefully by understanding the characteristics of the species being fed. Stainless steel bowls are not only the most hygienic material as they are easily cleaned but also less likely to be damaged by animals chewing them. Ensure the vessel can’t be tipped or knocked over by the animal, in which case heavy ceramic bowls may be more suitable than stainless steel and plastic.
• Consider if the animal prefers a particular vessel.
• Consider the type of food being presented. For example, a liquid diet may require syringe delivery, whereas hay may need to be presented in a net.
• Specific medical needs of the animal will determine the type of vessel needed. For example, a raised bowl may be required for eating and swallowing conditions.
• Select an appropriately sized vessel for the animal.
• Food and water vessels are to be undamaged so as not to leak. Therefore, inspect them each day before use.
• Make sure food and water vessels are clean. Food vessels are to be dry before use when feeding an animal dry food.
• Consider how the vessel will be secured and where it will be placed. For example, will the vessel be hung on a cage or placed on the ground? Should it be placed in the shade?
• Carefully choose the location of water in relation to the food so it cannot be contaminated. For example, ensure food is not placed in a toileting area.
• Consider how many animals are being fed in one location.
• Water vessels are to be suitable for the animal and placed in such a way as to prevent leakage. For example, a guinea pig will need a drip water bottle and some cats prefer running water, such as a water fountain.

For more information about how to choose appropriate bowls for cats and dogs, review the article, 'How to Choose the Right Bowl for Your Dog'.

Feeding methods

Always follow the feeding method outlined in the animal’s feeding plan. Feeding methods that are appropriate for the animal will depend on the animal's species, breed, age, and medical needs. Some common examples of feeding techniques for cats and dogs of various ages include:

• Hand feeding – to give food in fixed amounts and at a fixed time rather than allowing animal to self-feed. Often used when an animal is picky or has inappetence to encourage feeding, such as tweezers in the case of reptiles.
• Adlib feeding, free feeding, free-access feeding, or grazing – where food is always available and the animal can choose when to feed. Care should be taken that the animal is only allowed access to its daily energy requirements to avoid overfeeding.
• Bottle feeding – feeding from a bottle, commonly used in neonates such as when hand rearing kittens, calves, foals and puppies.
• Controlled feeding or scheduled feeding – animals are given food at an allocated time of day whether once, twice or more times in the day.
• Liquid diet – food is provided in a liquid form. This would be used when an animal is recovering from jaw or mouth surgery or after inappetence.
• Restricted diet or limited feeding – the animal is offered a certain amount of food as a single portion at a fixed time of the day.

Animal feeding methods

Review the following articles for more information about how to feed cats:

• Meal Feeding vs. Free Feeding Cats: What’s Best?
• Hand Rearing Kittens.

Review the following articles about different feeding methods for other species:

• Recommended Feeding Methods of Companion Birds
• Hand-feeding Methods & Tools
• Winging It: A Parenting Test for Guam Kingfishers
• Oryx Calf Update: Bottle Feeding Q&A.
• Ferret Food & Water Bowls: How To Pick The Best Ones?
• Equine Feeding Management: The How & When of Feeding Horses

Check and maintain food and water supply

When giving food to your animal make sure that it is out of direct sunlight and away from contaminants such as dirt, soil and rubbish.

Position food and water vessels to avoid any spillage or contamination by urine or faeces. Ensure that vessels are always clean and free from contaminants. You will need to move them to a more appropriate area if they are not. Animals often overturn food and water bowls. Make sure the bowls are secured to stop this from happening.

Food and water are to be checked regularly to ensure they remain fresh and clean by replenishing when needed. During the summer months food and water is to be checked and changed more frequently. Food spoilage will be more rapid, and water will warm quickly. Ice blocks can be added to the water when experiencing high temperatures. Always ensure there is plenty of clean, fresh water available to avoid an animal getting dehydrated (except those undergoing treatments that require no water intake).

All uneaten food should be removed promptly to avoid any spoilage, attraction of vermin and food poisoning.

Once you have checked an animal’s food and water supply, you must record this on the animal’s record sheet including any replenishment.

Monitor feeding process to ensure animals are feeding effectively

When food is placed into the animal’s cage, it will be recorded on the animal’s record monitoring chart with the date, time, type of food, amount given, and details. This will ensure that the animal is not over or underfed or watered. This food and water monitoring is performed manually by the person who fed the animal.

There are eight (8) common things that you may need to observe and record about how a particular animal eats and drinks:

Review the following examples of daily monitoring sheets from Shelter Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to understand the details required in monitoring animals in the workplace:

• Daily Monitoring (docx)
• Daily Medical Evaluation Form (docx).

All animals should have their weight recorded upon arrival at a facility. Animals should then be weighed at the same time daily to ensure that the appropriate weight is maintained according to the animal’s problem (for example, losing weight in an obese animal, gaining weight in a puppy or kitten and maintaining weight in the healthy or sick animal). This will also determine how effective the food that they are given is.

Positives of Monitoring the Feeding Process

• Early Detection of Health Issues: Changes in appetite or eating behaviour can be one of the first signs of health problems. Monitoring feeding allows early intervention, improving the chance of successful treatment.
• Ensuring Proper Nutrition: Careful observation ensures that animals are receiving the right amount and type of food, supporting their overall health, energy levels, and well-being.
• Improving Animal Welfare: Monitoring feeding helps reduce stress in group settings by ensuring all animals have equal access to food, leading to a more peaceful environment.
• Record-Keeping for Accountability: Keeping detailed feeding records provides a clear history of each animal’s intake and can be referenced by veterinarians or staff to tailor care plans.

Why Monitoring is Important

• Prevents Overeating or Undernourishment: Regular monitoring helps prevent issues like obesity or malnutrition, which can lead to long-term health complications.
• Detects Behavioural Issues: Some animals may hoard food or exhibit dominance during feeding times. Monitoring ensures that these behaviours are addressed before they escalate.
• Ensures Consistency: Consistent monitoring ensures that animals’ diets are adjusted as needed for changes in age, activity levels, or health conditions.
• Supports Recovery in Sick Animals: For animals recovering from illness or surgery, monitoring their food intake is crucial to ensuring they’re getting enough nutrition to heal properly.

Observe variations in individual eating and drinking patterns and inform supervisor

It is not uncommon for animals staying within new environments to become fussy or refrain from eating and drinking. Learning tips and tricks to make food more appealing to animals is essential. Some animals will feel overwhelmed if offered too much food, so offering smaller meals more often can be a great way to tempt them to eat. Cats are nocturnal by nature, and it is not uncommon for stressed cats to only eat at night. 13 Tips for How to Get a Cat to Eat EVERY Time is a fantastic article on how to encourage cats to eat. The techniques discussed can be used for a variety of species.

Recording all information on the animal’s record sheet, especially any unusual behaviour or eating patterns, is essential. Make a general observation of sick animals, taking note of weight loss, diarrhoea and ill thrift. Observations may also reveal the animal has been vomiting, regurgitating, or has constipation. It is extremely important to verbally report any unusual behaviours to your supervisor as soon as you notice them prevent further decline. An animal may need to be referred to a veterinarian for further examination.

Eating and drinking abnormalities may include:

• gorging
• increased water intake
• reluctance to eat
• reluctance to eat previously accepted foodstuffs.

Your observations may reveal that some animals prefer or need to have wet or can food over dry food. This needs to be noted down on the animal’s record chart, so the appropriate type of food is given.

Remember, also, that some animals are frightened and may only eat when it is quiet and no one is around (for example, overnight).

Recording this information should be done manually on the animal’s record sheet located in the animal’s folder on their cage. Any variations to the animal’s eating and drinking patterns, including abnormal behaviours or physical abnormalities should be recorded and immediately reported verbally to the supervisor and then, if applicable, to the animal’s veterinarian (Hollinger H., 2022).