The present invention is made for the prevention of ketosis or minimizing the effects of ketosis in ruminant animals. This purpose is achieved by feeding to the animal biotin in combination with a mixture of at least two essential oil compounds selected from the group consisting of thymol, eugenol, meta-cresol, vaniline and guajacol. The present invention is useful because it is capable of preventing and/or inhibiting ketosis of calving ruminant animals and the subsequent need for veterinary treatment. In a preferred embodiment of a feeding concept for dairy cattle, especially calving dairy cattle, biotin being used in an amount sufficient to provide a daily dosage of 10 mg to 20 mg per head to which it is to be administered. It is at present contemplated that the essential oils are administered in amounts (total dosage ranges of essential oils) of 1 to 1.5 g per head per day.
