2. Amount
1. Animals should be fed amounts of food to provide at least their maintenance requirements. The National Research Council publishes nutritional requirements for most animals. These are also available through RAR. [Nutrient requirements for laboratory animals; Dogs; Cats; Swine; Sheep; Poultry]
2. If food is restricted for more than 3 hours for neonates, rabbits or rodents, or 48 hours for ruminants, or 24 hours for other animals:
1. For experimental reasons this must be approved by the IACUC and objective, written criteria for assessing the animals’ body condition must be provided.
2. For medical reasons this decision should be made with veterinary input.