Commercial Petfoods

Question 1

What often becomes problematic when choosing diets for multi pet house holds?

Answer 1

Multiple pets will require different diets or nutrients pending their age, breed, body score etc - but owners find it more convenient to feed the same diet

Question 2

What percentage of money spent on pets is spent on their food?

Answer 2

33%

**this is a major US industry $$$

Question 3

Where do majority of pet owners purchase their pet food?

Answer 3

Mass market/merchandise - Sam’s club, costco, etc

Followed by grocery stores

Question 4

1. What are some examples of private label or generic brands of pet food?
2. Where are they sold?
3. What is their market emphasis?

Answer 4

1. Kirkland = costco, Old Roy = walmart
2. They are sold at grocery, feed stores, and large format retailers
3. Their market emphasis is LOW COST
   * less emphasis on ingredient quality and control

Question 5

What is the market emphasis of Grocery store brand pet foods?

Answer 5

Palatability

**usually have a high fat content to increase taste

Question 6

Where do consumers purchase specialty brand pet foods?

Answer 6

Pet stores or vet clinic

Question 7

What is the market emphasis of specialty brands?

Answer 7

Ingredients and “optimal nutrition”

+/- special needs and specific purpose

Question 8

Where can consumers purchase veterinary medical foods?

Answer 8

licensed veterinary sales only

Question 9

What are the four commercial food forms?

Answer 9

dry
moist
soft-moist
soft-dry

Question 10

What is the moisture content of dry foods?

Answer 10

6-12%

Question 11

T/F: Microbes do not grow well in foods with low moisture content

Answer 11

TRUE

like dry food (6-12%)

Question 12

What nutrient holds dry food particles together?

Answer 12

Starch

Question 13

What is the moisture content in semi-moist foods?

Answer 13

25-50%

Question 14

Why should semi-moist foods be avoided in diabetic patients?

Answer 14

They use simple sugars to maintain moisture

***sugar content

Question 15

What is added to semi-moist foods to prevent them from spoiling?

Answer 15

antioxidants - usually vitamin E derivatives to prevent fat from going bad

Question 16

T/F: Semi moist treats are okay for all pets, if in moderation

Answer 16

FALSE

Should always be avoided in diabetic patients

Question 17

What is the moisture content of soft-dry foods?

Answer 17

10-20% moisture

*this is a blend of soft moist and dry particles (ex: kibbles and bits)

Question 18

T/F: Soft dry foods like kibbles and bits, generally are okay for any stage of life/any animal

Answer 18

FALSE

These should be avoided in diabetic patients because they are similar to semi moist foods and can have high sugar contents

Question 19

What is the moisture content in moist pet foods?

Answer 19

68-85%

Question 20

What foods are safe to feed ad lib, and what foods should only be meal fed?

Answer 20

Dry - can feed free choice
semi moist - free choice is okay
Moist food - can not feed free choice **microbes

Question 21

When asking clients about their pets diet, what are some questions you must ask to get all of the information?

Answer 21

What is their primary, secondary, and or tertiary diet/food? (ex: dry with canned mixed in for dinner)
Does the pet receive any treats?
Are treats or food used to administer medication?
Does the pet get pigs ears or other edible chew toys? Etc
Does the animal get any supplements and why?

Question 22

T/F: Adding supplements to a pets diet will always be beneficial

Answer 22

False

*over use often can pose health risks

Question 23

Is it necessary to add supplements to a pets diet?

Answer 23

Not necessary if feeding balanced diets to normal/healthy dogs and cats

**sometimes there may be a specific medical application

Question 24

What percentage of the daily diet should treats and human foods be limited to in domesticated pets?

Answer 24

Less than 10%

Question 25

T/F: Most often, treats are complete and balanced

Answer 25

FALSE

Many are not. You may have to find the product information on the website or call the company to get the full nutrient break down

**if you can not obtain this information - get different treats!

Question 26

What are the components of dry matter in pet food?

Answer 26

Carbs
Protein
Fat
Minerals
Vitamins

Question 27

How do you calculate the dry determinants of a specific nutrient within a food?

Answer 27

Take the percentage of moisture on the label and subtract that by 100% to get your dry matter content

Then take your percentage of nutrient of interest, divide that by your dry matter content, and multiply by 100

Dry weight% = Nutrient %/Dry matter %