Provide food and water to animals

This standard is about providing food and water to animals. It covers the preparation and provision of food and water for animals, which may include any special dietary requirements, such as foods that are prohibited for a particular animal, and any special supplements that have been specified in the animal's feeding plan.
You will need to be aware of the importance of health, safety, hygiene and animal welfare in connection with this work.
You will need to be aware of your own limitations and confirm that you meet the relevant legal responsibilities for providing a duty of care under current animal health and welfare legislation.
This standard is for anyone who provides food and water to animals.

1. maintain hygiene and bio-security in accordance with workplace instructions, the relevant legislation and organisational policies
2. carry out your work in accordance with workplace instructions and procedures
3. carry out your work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
4. carry out your work in accordance with the relevant animal health and welfare, and animal-related legislation and associated codes off practice
5. select, prepare and use the required tools and equipment, in accordance with relevant legislation, manufacturer's guidelines and organisational policy
6. select, wear and maintain suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
7. identify the type and quantity of food required for each animal from feeding plans
8. prepare the correct amount of animal feed or supplements according to feeding plans, while minimising wastage
9. provide food as specified in the feeding plan to allow each animal the opportunity to obtain its food requirements
10. provide clean, fresh water to the animals as specified in the feeding plan
11. prepare food in a way that avoids cross contamination
12. take the required action when difficulties are encountered during the provision of food and water to animals
13. provide animals with opportunities to express their natural feeding behaviour
14. report any changes or abnormalities in the feeding and drinking habits of the animals to a relevant person
15. monitor the animal's health and well-being when providing food and water
16. maintain the safety and security of yourself, animals and all those involved in or affected by your work
17. remove uneaten food and replenish water
18. maintain, clean and store the required tools and equipment, in accordance with relevant legislation, manufacturer's guidelines and organisational policy
19. dispose of any waste in accordance with workplace instructions, organisational practice and the relevant legislation
20. follow industry and organisational guidance to minimise environmental damage while carrying out your work
21. confirm that records are maintained and stored as required by relevant legislation and organisational policy

1. the importance of maintaining hygiene and bio-security and the methods for achieving this
2. the importance of completing the activity in accordance with workplace instructions and procedures
3. your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
4. your responsibilities under the relevant animal health and welfare, and animal-related legislation, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
5. the types of equipment and utensils required for providing feed and water to animals and how to select, prepare, use and maintain these safely
6. the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for the activity
7. how to interpret animal feeding plans
8. the different types of food and supplements that are available and how these are prepared
9. the consequences of providing incorrectly prepared food and water to animals
10. the specific needs that animals have for food, and any special requirements such as supplements, prohibited foods, restricted diets
11. why animals should receive their food via the methods specified in the feeding plans
12. the types of feeder such as carnivores, omnivores, grazers, herbivores
13. why the correct sources of water and water systems should be used when providing water to animals
14. how to recognise changes in the feeding and drinking habits of the animals you are working with and the importance of reporting changes to the relevant person
15. how to provide opportunities for animals to express their natural feeding behaviour
16. the limits of your own abilities and responsibilities regarding difficulties that may arise and the action to take
17. the different methods of cleaning feeding equipment and utensils
18. how to handle, store and dispose of waste in accordance with the relevant legal and organisation policy
19. why it is important to monitor the well-being and health of animals when providing food and water
20. the records that need to be kept and the importance of completing them in accordance with relevant legislation and organisational policy

Current animal welfare legislation:

• England and Wales, Animal Welfare Act
• Scotland, Animal Health and Welfare Act
• Northern Ireland, Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland)

Equipment could include:

• equipment for preparing food
• equipment for serving food
• personal protective equipment (PPE)

Types of food could include:

• fresh
• frozen
• dried
• wet food
• raw
• complete
• complimentary