9. intro to dog and cat nutrition Flashcards
of the 21 amino acids in animal proteins, how many are essential for dogs
10
which amino acid is essential for cats but not for dogs and what is it used for
taurine (only found in animal tissues which is why cats are obligate carnivores)
required for:
- tissue growth and repair
- manufarcture of hormones and and enzymes
- immune system
- energy source
what is the fat used for in the dog and cat
- aids absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K
- provides energy
- supplies essential fatty acids (linolenic, linoleic, arachidonic)
where does linolenic acid come from
synthesised from linoleic acid
where does arachidonic acid come from
ONLY comes from animal tissue and cant be synthesised
(another reason cat are abligate carnivores)
what role do carbohydrates play in dog and cat nutrition
- not essential
- starches (found in corn, wheat, rice, barley, oats and potaotes) provide energy, heat, building blocks for other nutrients, provide energy storage in the form of glycogen or fat and source of fibre
- fibre (bran, beet pulp, cellulose, psyllium husk) promotes and regulates normal bowel function and provides fuel for cells in the colon (fermentation)
what is a balanced diet
a diet is complete and balanced when an animal has consumed enough energy to meet its energy requirements as well as the correct amount of all other essential nutrients needed for good health
what is a complimentary diet
foods which individually are not sufficient to meet all the nutritional requirements of a dog or cat in a single
is the pet food industry in the uk regulated
no
what is the difference between as fed or garunteed analysis vs dry matter basis
- as feed ignores moisture and energy content and is expressed as % or amount of nutrient per kg of food
- dry matter accounts for variability in water content but not variability in energy density and is expressed as % or amount of nutrient per kg of food dry matter
what factors would influence how you would advise an owner on their pet’s nutrition
- patient assessment (energy level, signalment, repro status, age, physical exam, weight, muscle condition score, BCS, lab tests, medical condition)
- feeding plan based on findings and feeding methods
- monitoring (regular check ups on health and condition)
if a label says protein content is 10% as fed, what does this mean for the amount of protein in the food
- 10% of the whole can is protein
if a label says 10% protein on dry matter basis, how much of the can is protein
- we have to work out dry matter amount
- say 80% of can is moisture
- we have 20% left that is dry matter
- this means that 10% of the 205 dry matter is protein
- therefore, half of dry matter content is protein
how much water do we assume is in a bad of dry food unless otherwise stated
7%
outline feeding guidelines for puppies
- weaning should occur around 4-8 weeks and be complete by 10 weeks
- feed commercially availible diets designed for puppy, energy requirements will be 2-3xRER decreasing as they reach maturity
- follow manufacturers feeding guidelines
- regularly assess BCS and recalculate their feeding to match
- make sure gaining weight steadily (not too fast or slow)
- adult weight can be achieved aroun 9 months in toy breeds and 18 months in large breeds
- no supplements should be needed
- homemade or raw diets could massively increase the risk of nutritional disease
- no ad lib feeding
- additional vitamin D is needed in puppy diets only
- puppies require higher levels of vitamin E
- raw feeding is deficient particularly in calcium
