Teklad global cat diet (2060) is specifically formulated to provide the proper balance of all known nutrients considered essential for growth, maintenance, and reproduction of research cats.

The diet provides uniform nutrition and is a fixed-formula diet designed to minimize the nutrient variances that otherwise could occur if the ingredient composition of a diet were altered from one batch to the next. Unlike other cat foods, it does not contain meat substitutes, artificial flavorings, excessive grains, chemical colorings, or fillers.

Cats have unusual nutritional requirements. They cannot convert tryptophan to niacin effectively, cannot convert beta carotene to vitamin A, and cannot desaturate linoleic acid. They require an elevated level of protein, and the amino acid taurine is needed to prevent ocular lesions and dilated cardiomyopathy. Teklad global cat diet is designed to meet these special needs. In addition, it is formulated to be low in magnesium and ash, and high in meat protein to produce an acidic urine, which reduces the risk of feline urinary syndrome.

Feeding directions

Teklad global cat diet is a complete diet for cats and kittens. Ad libitum access to diet should be provided at all times. Cats normally consume small portions of food throughout the day, and they have a normal propensity to consume minimal amounts of water. Fresh water always should be available to each animal.

Teklad global ferret diet (2072) is specifically formulated to provide the proper balance of all known nutrients considered essential for growth, maintenance, and reproduction of research ferrets.

The ferret laboratory diet provides uniform nutrition and is a Fixed Formula diet designed to minimize the nutrient variances that otherwise could occur if the ingredient composition of a diet were altered from one batch to the next.

Ferrets are obligate carnivores with a very short intestinal tract. It is assumed that like cats, ferrets cannot desaturate linoleic acid. For these reasons it is generally recommended that ferret diets contain high amounts of animal protein and fat. The amino acid taurine is supplemented in the diet as a safety measure against developing ocular lesions and dilated cardiomyopathy. Teklad global ferret diet is designed to meet these special needs by including a large amount of poultry by-product meal and poultry fat. In addition, it is formulated to be low in magnesium and ash, which reduces the risk of urinary disease. Unlike lower quality ferret diets, it does not contain meat substitutes, artificial flavorings, grains, chemical colorings, or fillers.

Feeding directions

Teklad global ferret diet is a complete diet for jills, and kitts. Provide ad libitum access to diet in a self-feeder. Ferrets normally consume small portions of food throughout the day, and they have a normal propensity to consume minimal amounts of water. It is crucial that fresh and clean food and water be kept easily accessible to ferrets at all times.

Teklad ruminant diet (7060) is specifically formulated to provide the proper balance of all known nutrients to a variety of laboratory ruminant species. The diet provides uniform nutrition and is a fixed-formula diet designed to minimize the nutrient variances which otherwise could occur if the ingredient composition of a diet were altered from one batch to the next.

Ruminants require significant fiber to maintain proper rumen health. Sheep have a requirement for copper but are also very susceptible to copper toxicity. Teklad ruminant diet is high in fiber to support microbial fermentation and maintain proper rumen function. The diet has a low copper content easily exceeding the copper requirements of most ruminants while avoiding copper toxicity in sheep.

Feeding directions

Teklad ruminant diet is a complete diet for a variety of laboratory ruminant species and should generally be fed daily at two-to-three percent of body weight depending on the desired rate of gain. Fresh water always should be available to each animal particularly during warm summer days.

There is no definitive point where one is able to predict when a specific diet will spoil or become deficient in one or more nutrients. The common guideline of a nine month shelf life is based on longstanding practice in North America. In Europe and Asia, differences in local practices and regulatory oversight have led to Teklad standard natural ingredient diets being routinely used out to nine months and sometimes 12 months post-manufacture. This practical experience, along with literature support and vitamin testing over time, gives us confidence that these diets continue to support animal health and study integrity out to at least nine months post-manufacture. Please refer to your institution for guidance if you are unsure of local policies.

Recommended storage conditions:

• Cool and dry; at or below 70 degrees fahrenheit, humidity below 50% ideal, but up to 65% is acceptable
• Clean and free of pests
• In original packaging or in a container that prevents continuous exposure to light and minimal exposure to air

There is no definitive point where one is able to predict when a specific diet will spoil or become deficient in one or more nutrients. The common guideline of a six month shelf life is based on longstanding practice in North America. In Europe and Asia, differences in local practices and regulatory oversight have led to Teklad standard natural ingredient diets being routinely used out to nine months and sometimes 12 months post-manufacture. This practical experience, along with literature support and vitamin testing over time, gives us confidence that these diets continue to support animal health and study integrity out to at least nine months post-manufacture. Please refer to your institution for guidance if you are unsure of local policies.

Recommended storage conditions:

• Cool and dry; at or below 70 degrees fahrenheit with humidity ideally below 50%, but up to 65% is acceptable
• Clean and free of pests
• In original packaging or in a container that prevents continuous exposure to light and minimal exposure to air

Weaning pigs should be allowed ad libitum access to diet. Adults should be fed at a rate of two percent to three percent of their body weight per day. Fresh, clean water should always be available.

There is no definitive point where one is able to predict when a specific diet will spoil or become deficient in one or more nutrients. The common guideline of a six month shelf life is based on longstanding practice in North America. In Europe and Asia, differences in local practices and regulatory oversight have led to Teklad standard natural ingredient diets being routinely used out to nine months and sometimes 12 months post-manufacture. This practical experience, along with literature support and vitamin testing over time, gives us confidence that these diets continue to support animal health and study integrity out to at least nine months post-manufacture. Please refer to your institution for guidance if you are unsure of local policies.

Recommended storage conditions:

• Cool and dry; at or below 70 degrees fahrenheit with humidity ideally below 50%, but up to 65% is acceptable
• Clean and free of pests
• In original packaging or in a container that prevents continuous exposure to light and minimal exposure to air

In general, nonhuman primates will consume an amount of diet equal to four percent of their body weight but there are many factors that can affect daily consumption including species, life-stage, housing, and environmental conditions. Small amounts of fruits, vegetables, or nuts may be fed as environmental enrichment. Clean fresh water should always be available.

There is no definitive point where one is able to predict when a specific diet will spoil or become deficient in one or more nutrients. The common guideline of a six month shelf life is based on longstanding practice in North America. In Europe and Asia, differences in local practices and regulatory oversight have led to Teklad standard natural ingredient diets being routinely used out to nine months and sometimes 12 months post-manufacture. This practical experience, along with literature support and vitamin testing over time, gives us confidence that these diets continue to support animal health and study integrity out to at least nine months post-manufacture. Please refer to your institution for guidance if you are unsure of local policies.

Recommended storage conditions:

• Cool and dry; at or below 70 degrees fahrenheit, humidity below 50% ideal, but up to 65% is acceptable
• Clean and free of pests
• In original packaging or in a container that prevents continuous exposure to light and minimal exposure to air

Guinea pigs should be allowed ad libitum access to diets placed in a feeder attached to the front or side of the cage.

There is no definitive point where one is able to predict when a specific diet will spoil or become deficient in one or more nutrients. The common guideline of a six month shelf life is based on longstanding practice in North America. In Europe and Asia, differences in local practices and regulatory oversight have led to Teklad standard natural ingredient diets being routinely used out to nine months and sometimes 12 months post-manufacture. This practical experience, along with literature support and vitamin testing over time, gives us confidence that these diets continue to support animal health and study integrity out to at least nine months post-manufacture. Please refer to your institution for guidance if you are unsure of local policies.

Recommended storage conditions:

• Cool and dry; at or below 70 degrees fahrenheit with humidity ideally below 50%, but up to 65% is acceptable
• Clean and free of pests
• In original packaging or in a container that prevents continuous exposure to light and minimal exposure to air

Rabbits may be limit-fed by placing a certain amount of feed in crocks or feeding hoppers once a day. Limit-feeding during maintenance and gestation is an efficient method of meeting the nutritional needs of the rabbit, yet it prevents excess weight gain. Rabbits also may be self-fed by placing feed in a hopper where they may eat at will. This method is most efficient for growing rabbits, lactating does, and young breeding stock.

Rabbit feeding requirements will vary with rabbit breed, age, and size. Through observation and controlled feeding, the proper body condition can be maintained for maximum performance. A ten-pound New Zealand white rabbit will consume approximately 150 g of Teklad rabbit diet per day.

There is no definitive point where one is able to predict when a specific diet will spoil or become deficient in one or more nutrients. The common guideline of a six month shelf life is based on longstanding practice in North America. In Europe and Asia, differences in local practices and regulatory oversight have led to Teklad standard natural ingredient diets being routinely used out to nine months and sometimes 12 months post-manufacture. This practical experience, along with literature support and vitamin testing over time, gives us confidence that these diets continue to support animal health and study integrity out to at least nine months post-manufacture. Please refer to your institution for guidance if you are unsure of local policies.

Recommended storage conditions:

• Cool and dry; at or below 70 degrees Fahrenheit, humidity below 50% ideal, but up to 65% is acceptable
• Clean and free of pests
• In original packaging or in a container that prevents continuous exposure to light and minimal exposure to air

Teklad Dog Diets are designed to be fed to dogs under research conditions. Select the feeding method which keeps the animal in the proper body condition. The amount of food the research dog needs depends upon its size, age, breed, temperament, and amount of exercise.

Feed the pregnant female twice a day or ad libitum. Moisten the diet for her first few feedings after delivery. Thereafter, allow ad libitum access to diet and also feed her moistened food once a day.

Puppies will start eating diet (either moistened or dry) when they are about four weeks old. To encourage them to eat, add one cup water to each cup of dog food. Initially, feed the moistened food three times daily. The daily feedings (either dry or moistened) can be reduced to two as the puppies grow. The self-feeding program is ideal for puppies since they like to chew on dry food. They also can eat when they are hungry, assuring proper and adequate nutrition.

Traditional rodent diets were formulated decades ago based on understanding of rodent nutrition, ingredients, and diet manufacturing at the time. While traditional diets will supply the known nutrient needs of your laboratory animals, we recommend you consider the use of a diet from our newer global diet line for your modern research needs.

Teklad Global Rodent Diets^® are modern formulas designed to reduce research variables. Specifically, these diets contain more appropriate nutrient levels, and limit or exclude ingredients that are reported to have effects on a wide variety of research endpoints.

• Lower, more appropriate protein levels can improve survival and reduce morbidity
• Vegetarian with no nitrosamines (a potential carcinogen)
• Formulated to exclude alfalfa meal, greatly improving fluorescent imaging clarity
• Formulated to exclude or lower soybean meal, thus minimizing the presence of isoflavones, the primary type of phytoestrogen found in lab animal diets
• Extruded rodent diets dramatically reduce clumping and hardness after autoclaving (2018SX, 2019S, 2020SX), and in general result in less diet waste and cleaner cages

Teklad rodent diets are natural-ingredient diets specifically formulated to provide the proper balance of all known nutrients considered essential for the growth, maintenance, and reproduction of rats, mice, gerbils and hamsters. These diets conform to the nutrient requirements for rodents established by the National Research Council (1995).

Teklad rodent diets provide uniform nutrition. They are fixed-formula diets designed to minimize the nutrient variances which otherwise could occur if the ingredient composition of a diet were altered from one batch to the next.

Protein is supplied primarily by plant sources. Supplemental amino acids are added to provide the proper amount and balance of essential amino acids. All rodent diets are fortified with vitamins and minerals to help support the regulation of body fluids and the proper functioning of body systems to ensure the adequate growth, maintenance, and reproduction of research rodents. Autoclavable diets are supplemented with additional vitamins to compensate for losses that occur during autoclaving. Since our diets are nutritionally complete and balanced, it is not necessary to add dietary supplements.

There is no definitive point where one is able to predict when a specific diet will spoil or become deficient in one or more nutrients. The common guideline of a six month shelf life is based on longstanding practice in North America. In Europe and Asia, differences in local practices and regulatory oversight have led to Teklad standard natural ingredient diets being routinely used out to nine months and sometimes 12 months post-manufacture. This practical experience, along with literature support and vitamin testing over time, gives us confidence that these diets continue to support animal health and study integrity out to at least nine months post-manufacture. Please refer to your institution for guidance if you are unsure of local policies.

Recommended storage conditions:

• Cool and dry; at or below 70 degrees fahrenheit with humidity ideally below 50%, but up to 65% is acceptable
• Clean and free of pests
• In original packaging or in a container that prevents continuous exposure to light and minimal exposure to air

Standard natural ingredient rodent diets are complete diets for rats, mice, gerbils and hamsters, that should be allowed ad libitum access to the diet. Fresh water should be available at all times.

Standard natural ingredient diets for a variety of laboratory animal species are comprised of agricultural commodities such as grains, and plant and animal proteins. These diets are used to meet the everyday needs of animal colonies for breeding, growth and maintenance. When carefully chosen, they also can support many research objectives.

The hallmark of all Teklad standard natural ingredient diets is our fixed formulation philosophy coupled with stringent ingredient procurement practices, followed by automated and controlled manufacturing practices. Regular, autoclavable, certified, and irradiated laboratory diets are among the many options.

Learn more about standard natural ingredient diets

If you need to control nutrients, induce disease or provide specific doses through a diet, you can leverage our experience with purified or other types of custom research diets. Our nutritionists can work with your unique specifications to find a Teklad solution that meets your study’s requirements.

Learn more about custom research diets

For treatment of a condition or to prevent illness or outbreak, the use of Teklad medicated diets as directed by a veterinarian can be supported by stocked medicated diets. Custom diets with various medications or compounds can also be added by request at our custom research diet facility.

Learn more about medicated diets

From contact bedding to custom-cut paper cage liners to enrichment products, we can support your laboratory animals with a variety of comprehensive solutions.

Learn more about bedding and environmental enrichment products