Standardized commercial diets are available for most laboratory species. The vivaria are responsible for providing appropriate diets and for ensuring that food is fresh and free from contaminants. For special research needs, certified diets that have been assayed for commonly encountered environmental contaminants may be necessary. DLAM can assist with selection of specialized diets and provide information on their availability.
Research personnel who are responsible for feeding their animals in the vivarium must obtain blue "Special Instruction" cards from DLAM, indicating the start and end dates of the special feeding arrangements. In addition, the individual(s) responsible for adding or replacing food must keep a record in the animal room indicating the dates of feeding and the initials of the individual who completed the task.