What term describes the total amount of material an animal consumes in a day?

The term that describes the total amount of material an animal consumes in a day is "ration." A ration specifically refers to the total quantity of feed provided to an animal within a specified time frame, typically a day. This term emphasizes not just the food itself but also the quantity and composition intended to meet the nutritional needs of the animal.

"Diet" refers to the types and variety of food an animal eats over a period, but it may not necessarily represent the total amount consumed within a single day. "Intake" can describe the process of consuming food but is more general and does not specify the daily total. "Feed," while relevant to the materials given to animals, does not specifically capture the concept of a daily total intake tailored for nutritional objectives. Thus, "ration" is the most appropriate term in this context, as it encompasses the daily allotment designed to meet the animal's dietary needs.