Principles of Animal Nutrition, 2nd Edition

by Guoyao Wu
October 2025

TThe second edition of Principles of Animal Nutrition presents comprehensive coverage of nutrition and metabolism in ruminants, nonruminant mammals (e.g., swine and horses), and poultry, as well as aquatic and companion animals. Substantially revised, expanded, and updated to reflect scientific advances (including the use of artificial intelligence in diet formulations and feeding), this book highlights the foundational aspects of nutrition that are essential to animal growth, development, reproduction, lactation, health, and survival.

The book contains an overview of the physiological and biochemical bases of animal nutrition, followed by a detailed description of chemical properties of carbohydrates, lipids, protein, and amino acids. The text also covers the digestion, absorption, transport, and metabolism of macronutrients, energy, vitamins, and minerals in animals. To integrate the basic knowledge of nutrition with practical animal feeding, the book continues with a discussion of the nutritional requirements of animals for maintenance, production, and health, as well as the regulation of food intake by animals. Finally, the chapters explain feed additives, including those used to enhance animal growth and survival (e.g., enzymes, amino acids, organic acids, and animal co-products), improve feed efficiency for protein production, replace feed antibiotics, and promote circular bio-economies.

Written by a distinguished professor of animal nutrition, Guoyao Wu, PhD, Principles of Animal Nutrition, Second Edition is the authoritative reference for academic researchers, practitioners, and beginners in the fields of animal and human nutrition, biomedicine, and allied health, as well as institutional and government policymakers.