Topics:
Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher
Metabolic Water Proportion
Metabolic water comprises about ______% of total water intake of domestic animals:
- 5-10 — Correct Answer
- 10-15
- 15-20
- None
Explanation:
Correct Answer: 5–10%
Metabolic water is water produced inside the body during the oxidative metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It accounts for approximately 5–10% of an animal's total water intake.
Sources of Water for Animals
| Source | Approximate Contribution |
|---|---|
| Drinking water | ~70–80% |
| Water in feed | ~15–20% |
| Metabolic water | ~5–10% |
Metabolic Water per Gram of Substrate
- Fat: 1.07 g (highest)
- Glucose/Sugar: 0.60 g
- Starch: 0.56 g
- Protein: 0.40 g (lowest)
Special Note — Camel
- Camels store fat in their hump → fat metabolism yields high metabolic water (1.07 g/g fat) → helps survive desert conditions
- Camel dry matter requirement: 2% of body weight (3% when working or lactating)
Why Other Options Are Wrong
- 10–15% → overestimates; metabolic water is a small fraction of total water intake
- 15–20% → too high; this is approximately the contribution of feed moisture, not metabolic water
- None → incorrect; 5–10% is the established standard value
📚 About this Topic — Animal Nutrition
This multiple choice question is from Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher. It has 4 options with a detailed explanation of the correct answer. Practice more MCQs from Animal Nutrition to strengthen your preparation.
