Page 105 - Raw Diet References Book 2019

2.2.5 Times of feeding

Animals shall be fed at least once daily and at the instructions for the product. The excess food shall be
same time each day. Water shall be available at all weighed back after feeding.
times. Food shall be fed as is, or per normal feeding

2.2.6 Pre-trial termination

If, during the pre-collection phase, the food is by a majority of the animals, the trial shall not proceed
continually rejected or results in minimal consumption into the collection phase.

2.2.7 Faeces collection

It is imperative that all collection containers be clearly c. Place collections in freezer for storage.
marked using double labels or any alternative adequate d. Faeces may be dried each day.
coding. The labels shall include the animal number,
diet number, and dates of collection. Faeces shall be • Weigh and record the weight of the faeces and
collected daily for a minimum of four days for dogs and container each day, and determine net weight of
five days for cats. Every effort should be made to collect faeces. If the volume of faeces is large, an aliquot
all of the faeces and avoid collecting contaminants such may be retained for drying.
as hair. The methodology is as follows:
• Dry daily faeces collection (or aliquot). Faeces
a. Weigh collection container and record weight. should be thin enough to dry quickly. Otherwise,
nitrogen and carbon losses may occur due to
b. Place faeces in the respective animal’s container fermentation products.
for that day of collection. Collect faeces as
quantitatively as possible. • Pool the entire collection or proportional aliquots.

2.2.8 Sample preparation

Food The food shall be blended to ensure a remaining sample should be frozen and retained
uniform consistency and an adequate quantity until assay results have been reviewed and found
used for appropriate assays. Ample quantities of the acceptable.

Faeces Faeces shall be analyzed using composite appropriate assays. Ample quantities of the remaining
samples. The samples shall be blended to ensure a sample should be frozen and retained until assay
uniform consistency and an adequate quantity used for results have been reviewed and found acceptable.

Urine If urine collections are made, they shall be for the urine and prevent nitrogen loss. After the total
the same period as the faeces collections. Urine shall urine volume is determined, aliquot samples shall be
be collected with a minimum of contamination, in a freeze-dried in an appropriate container.
urine receptacle containing sulphuric acid to stabilize

Publication May 2017 45/100