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Companion Animals Flashcards

1
Q

What is life stage nutrition?

A

The practice of feeding diets designed to meet optimal nutritional needs at a specific age or physiologic state.
Feeding above or below this range can negatively impact on animal performance or health.

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2
Q

How do you calculate RER?

A

RER(kcal ME/d) = 70 x (BW)^0.75

RER(kJ ME/d) = 293 x (BW)^0.75

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3
Q

What is the aim when feeding young adult dogs and what are the main problems that may be encountered?

A

1-7yo
Problems - periodontal disease and obesity
Aim - maximise longevity and quality of life (disease prevention)
BCS - 2.5-3.5/5
Evaluate BSC and adjust energy as needed.

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4
Q

Obesity occurs twice as often in…..

A

neutered dogs

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5
Q

Is fibre a good energy source for dogs?

A

No - as fibre content increases, energy density decreases.

However, increased dietary fibre promotes satiety-may be useful for obese dogs or dogs fed free choice.

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6
Q

What are the essential FA required by a dog?

A

Linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids

Deficiency results in hyper proliferation and increased permeability to water (both skin defects)

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7
Q

What are the objectives of feeding reproducing dogs and puppies?

A

Optimse conception, number of pups per litter, ability of the bitch to deliver, viability of prenatal and neonatal pups, BCS 3/5 (underweight or overweight animals have decreased ovulation rates and silent oestrus, reduced litter size and milk production).

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8
Q

How much weight does a pregnant bitch gain prior to whelping?

A

15-20%BW, 5-10% remain after whelping.

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9
Q

What can obesity cause in pregnant bitches?

A

Dystocia, prolonged parturition, hypoxic pups.

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10
Q

What can malnutrition cause in pregnant bitches?

A

Embryo loss, poor foetal development and low birth weight of pups.

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11
Q

When does most weight gain occur in pregnant bitches?

A

After 40d gestation - due to rapid growth of foetuses.

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12
Q

What considerations are there when feeding pregnant bitches?

A

Foetal demand for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA/omega 3 FA) for retinal and brain development.
Energy needs to peak at 30% above adult maintenance for bitches with smaller litter, 50-60% for larger litters.
Giant breeds may not ingest enough food to maintain BW in late gestation.
Protein in late gestation - 40-70% increase above maintenance. (7g digestible protein/kg BW^0.75)
High quality protein - 10g digestible protein/MJ.
Fat levels can be higher in later pregnancy to increase energy density of diet.
50% of energy for foetal development supplied by glucose.
Need CHO source or risk weight loss, decreased food intake, reduced birth weight and neonatal survival, increased risk of still birth.
Increased risk of hypoglycaemia and ketosis during late pregnancy.
20% of energy from NSC.
Ca and P increase by 60%.
Excessive Ca can decrease PTH, predisposing bitch to eclampsia during lactation.
Diet digestibility should be >85% due to increasing nutrient needs and reduced intake from abdominal fill.
Common to feed puppy food - except for giant breeds as it is not adequate.

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13
Q

What are some important considerations when feeding lactating bitches?

A

Energy requirements steadily increase and peak between 3-5weeks.
Return to maintenance @8weeks.
High energy density feeds - 16.7kJ (4kcal) ME/g DM
Weight loss causes decreased milk production and signs of severe exhaustion.
Protein requirement increases more than energy requirement
Protein-energy ratio of 10:15g protein/MJ DE

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14
Q

What is low birth weight highly correlated to?

A

Neonatal mortality

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15
Q

How should pups be fed from birth?

A

Ensure they all receive colostrum - weak pups should be supplementary fed colostrum.
Weight daily to monitor growth rate - gives indication of milk production and whether it is adequate.
Should not loose or fail to gain weight for more than 1 day.
Milk should meet all of the pups requirements for first 3-4weeks.

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16
Q

How can orphaned pups be fed?

A

Bottlefeeding is preferred method - needs to happen at least 4 times daily.
Very young neonates and weak pups should be fed every 2-4hrs.
Older pups 4-6hrs.
Normally, 1-2wk old pups will obtain most of their normal daily intake in 4-5meals.
Recommended DER:
Day 1-3: 15kcal ME/100g BW
Day 4-6: 20kcal ME/100g BW
Day >6: 20-25kcal ME/100g BW

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17
Q

What nutritional changes need to occur for weaning?

A

Gradual processing beginning with the introduction of solid foods at 3-4wks.
Milk production progressively declines as pups intake of solid food increases.
Complete weaning by 8-10wks, less stressful
Can use dams food, blend with warm water. Otherwise ensure high quality ‘growing
ration used.
Gradually decrease amount of water used.
Fresh drinking water should be supplied from 3wks.

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18
Q

How should growing pups, post weaning be fed?

A

Feed to grow at an optimal rate for bone development and body condition.
Feeding for maximum growth increases risk of skeletal deformities and decrease longevity.
Small to medium breeds reach 50% of adult weight at 4months.
Large to giant breeds reach 50% of adult weight at 5 months.
BCS should be assessed at least every 2 weeks - best practical indicator of healthy growth.
Prevention of obesity is essential
Foods formulated for adults should not be fed to dogs
Arginine essential AA
DHA essential for growth - at least 0.02% of diet.

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19
Q

How should large breed pups be fed to avoid diseases such as hip dysplasia and OCD?

A

Affected by genetics, environment and nutrition.
Excess energy and/or too much Ca during rapid skeletal development leads to abnormal bone and cartilage growth.
Need to control growth rate by dietary manipulation (feed restriction)
Avoid excess Ca
Foods for large and giant breed puppies should contain 0.7-1.2%Ca per kg DM

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20
Q

How should racing dogs be fed?

A

Greater capacity for fat oxidation - metabolise FFA at twice the rate of humans.
Energy requirements increase with endurance rather than speed - approximately 600kJ/kgBW^0.75/d
24% ME from protein
Between 30-50% ME from CHO
Energy content provided by ration of 40-42% CHO: 22-24% CP: 30-33% fat
Advantage to high fat diet - gains in speed and endurance.

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21
Q

What are some important considerations when feeding a mature dog?

A

Less active so require less energy to meet needs.
Maintaining ideal BW still important.
More prone to dehydration - osmoregulatory disturbances, medication and chronic renal failure.
Thyroid function may be impaired.
12-13% decrease in DER by 7yrs.
Low fat intake helps prevent obesity however can be useful in very old dogs who loose weight easily (increases energy intake, improves palatability, improves protein use).
Omega 3 FA - maintains skin, coat health, joint health and cognitive function also helps dogs with kidney disease .
Increased fibre intake - helps with constipation, dilutes energy content. Decreased postprandial glycaemic effects in diabetic dogs.
Reduced protein intake due to increased prevalence of renal disease.
Avoid excessive P for renal function as well.
Joint health - add glucosamine and chondroitin
No free choice for obese or overweight - can be used for thinner very old animals.

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22
Q

What are cats?

A

Strict/true carnivores (unlike dogs).

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23
Q

How many meals should a cat eat per day? What kind of foods do they prefer?

A

10-12
Very sensitive to physical form, odour and taste - prefer solid moist foods, reluctant to accept powdery, sticky or greasy textures.

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24
Q

How should young adult cats be fed?

A

1-7yo
Ideal BCS 2.5-3.5/5
Dietary fat - energy, essential FA and facilitates absorption of vitamin A.
Don’t require dietary fibre - small amounts can enhance stool quality and promote GIT function. Can also reduce energy density and induce satiety.
Obese prone may benefit from 5-15% crude fibre and cats that prone to hairballs.
Taurine essential AA - 0.1-0.17%DM
P - key factor in urolith formation.
Prone to hypertension - avoid excess Na
NaCl can be supplemented to increase water intake - reduces lower UTI - ensure no excess
Free choice food maintains a more stable urinary pH - reduces risk of struvite and UTI.
Ca - deficiency when only fed meat
Ca:P = 1:1
High protein increases K requirement (>0.52% DM).

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25
Q

What are some general considerations when feeding cats?

A

Limited capacity to adapt to low protein - meeting minimum requirements is critical - no benefit from feeding excess.
P - key factor in urolith formation.
Most cats tolerate once daily feeding - preferable to feed at least twice a day.

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26
Q

When is the best age for breeding queens?

A

1-7 years

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27
Q

What is often the most limiting nutrient during gestation?

A

Energy

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28
Q

What is the effect of protein deficiency on gestation?

A

Lower birth weight, higher neonatal mortality and impaired immunocompetance in kittens.

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29
Q

Why is free-choice feeding preferred for gestating queens?

A

Allows them to adjust food intake as needed to meet requirements.
Also preferred for lactation.

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30
Q

When are the highest energy requirements for lactation?

A

Peak lactation - 3-4wks post partum

Peak energy demand however is at 6-7wks post partum.

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31
Q

Why should queens not have excessive weight loss post birth?

A

Can lead to lactation failure.

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32
Q

How should queens be fed during lactation?

A

Animal based proteins preferred - more digestible and contain taurine.
Dietary omega-3 FA required for normal development of retinal function in nursing kittens.
Digestible CHO and spare protein used for blood glucose and provide a substrate for lactose during milk production.
CHO 10% DM

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33
Q

Discuss the feeding of post weaned, growing kittens.

A

Grow 100g/wk until @ 20wks
Growth rate slows as kittens approach 80% of adult size at 30wks.
Adult BW at 40wks
Aim for optimal growth rather than maximal growth.
Protein requirements high at weaning then decrease gradually.
Require >19% animal protein to provide sufficient S congaing AA.
High protein foods (56%CP) must contain arginine at 1.5 x requirement - maintains normal urea cycling.
18-35% fat enhances palatability, meets EFA and maintains energy density above or at 4kcal ME/g
Need DHA for neural, retinal and auditory development.
Ca deficiency and P excess common in all meat diets - need supplement

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34
Q

What are some important considerations when feeding mature cats?

A

Age related diseases increase at 7-8yrs.
Less active - less energy.
Aging impairs thirst sensitivity - dehydration - reduces ability to thermorgulate
Declining renal function - increased water losses due to impaired urine concentrating ability.
Moist foods are good - increase water intake
Very old require energy dense foods and ample levels of EFA - maintain normal skin and coat condition.
Fat digestion declines with age - essential FA required at levels above that of young cats.
Fibre (<5%) aids constipation, above this level decreases DM digestibility and dilutes energy. Good for inactive or obese cats.
Dont restrict dietary protein - improves palatability, intake and weight maintenance in very old cats.
Moderate Ca (0.6-1%DM) maintains bone mass, reduces risk of Ca oxalate urolithiasis.
Reduced P - associated with kidney disease
Avoid excess Na
Highly palatable and digestible feeds - >4kcal/g DM
Free choice or meal feed.

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35
Q

What is the difference between overweight and obese?

A

Overweight - exceeds optimal body weight by 5-10%

Obese - exceeds optimal BW by 15-20%

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36
Q

Why do animals gain weight?

A

Caloric intake, decreased physical activity and genetic susceptibility.

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37
Q

What are some health conditions associated with obesity?

A

Arthritis, diabetes mellitus, cancer, skin diseases, lower urinary tract problems, hepatic lipidosis, heart disease

38
Q

What are the objectives of weight management programs?

A

Reduce BW in long lasting, healthy manner
Loss of body fat - maintain lean body mass
Prevent rebound weight gain
Establish good eating/feeding and activity habits
Education of pet owner

39
Q

What are the components of a successful weight management program?

A

Consistent and accurate weight measurement
Diligent patient monitoring
Effective client communication
Set a goal for weight loss
Ideal body weight is a starting goal
Determination of the pets ideal body weight
Calculate the appropriate energy intake
May need to adjust for appropriate body condition as the pet loses weight

Still need to provide adequate protein, vitamins and minerals for pets DER.

40
Q

What are some nutritional management tips?

A

Feed multiple small meals/day - increases satiety, reduces begging, increases energy loss through digestion.
Stipulate exact quantities for the client to measure out
Incorporate an exercise program or physical activity

41
Q

What are the desirable features of a weight loss food/diet?

A

Decreased fat/kJ - decreases energy intake
Increased protein/kJ - increases satiety and maintains lean body mass
Increased total dietary fibre - increases satiety and decreases begging
Increased lysine:energy ration - maintains lean body mass
Increased L-carnitine - increases fat conversion
Added antioxidants - reduces free radical damage

42
Q

What are some important factors to emphasise when educating a client on feeding an obese dog or cat?

A

Emphasise feeding consistency, feed from designated dish only, ensure food is being measured/weighed, calculate initial feeding amount for client.
‘Treats’ need to be adjusted accordingly depending on energy intake, feed pets separately and only one person feeds.
Devise appropriate exercise.

43
Q

What history needs to be collected when assessing an obese/overweight patient?

A

Detailed assessment of the pet, pet owner and environment in which they live.
Work with pet owner preferences.
Potential to increase adherence
Human-pet relationship - an important component of successful weight management
Accurate diet history - accurate estimate of energy intake
Supplements, treats, rawhides and dental chews provide calories.
Medications - in food items, usually high energy.

44
Q

What are non-negotiables?

A

Food items that owners will continue to feed regardless of what your recommendations are.
Need to incorporate these into diet management plan to improve adherence.
Focus on what the pet can have rather than what it cant have.
Alternative treats - non-starch vegetables such as carrots or celery.

45
Q

How can you address the owners concerns regarding weight loss?

A

Include favourites treat - can alleviate owners concern about rigidity of weight loss programs, maintain a strong human-pet bond - linked to providing favoured foods
Perceived lack of palatability
Concerns of deprivation of the pet - concerns come from pet owners experience with weight loss in human health
Ensure they are able to provide their pet with something they love
Need to account for energy contribution.

46
Q

Is weight loss a quick thing?

A

No - may take up to 12 months or more.

Client may require education and monitoring before a full weight loss program can begin.

47
Q

Will switching to a low-calorie, light or lite diet be sufficient to loose weight?

A

Not necessarily, the regulations for these labels only require a small decrease in energy from maintenance which may not be enough.

48
Q

Why is adequate protein in a weight loss diet important?

A

Required to maintain lean body mass - want the animal to lose fat, not muscle.
May be compromised on feed restriction or low energy diet.

49
Q

Does low fat equate to low calorie?

A

No. Reduced fat diets may provide more kJ than desired for a weight loss program.
Aim for products with <3g per 100kcal.

50
Q

Do low CHO diets promote weight loss in cats?

A

Not necessarily - therapeutic low CHO diets for cats with diabetes can have very high calorie density, especially dry kibble.
May result in weight gain if owners are reluctant to feed small quantities.

51
Q

What is the role of dietary fibre in weight loss diets?

A

Diets high in insoluble fibre are typically lower in energy density.
Allows pet to eat a greater volume of food, good for owner compliance.
Can increase faecal output - need to notify owner of this.
High fermentable fibre results in short-chain fatty acid production.
May influence satiety - satiety inducing gastrointestinal hormones.

52
Q

What kind of weekly weight loss goals should you set?

A

0.5-2% weekly BW loss
1% BW loss per week limits the risk of nutrient deficiency, loss of lean body mass and rebound weight gain.
Exceptions - pets with comorbidities - need a more gradual rate of loss (0.5% or less)
Commonly pets weight will plateau during weight loss - reduce energy intake by 10% and increase physical activity if possible.

53
Q

Once a pet has lost excess weight, what needs to happen?

A

Pet cannot be ‘taken off’ diet - this needs to be identified as the new normal, cannot fall back into old habits of feeding (especially treats).
At best, increase 5% above weight loss diet.
Careful selection of maintenance diet - pet will be highly susceptible to regaining weight, lifelong monitoring of BW, BCS.

54
Q

Discuss digestion in the rabbit.

A 
Herbivore
Hindgut fermenter - large caecum.
Very sensitive to oral antibiotics.
Continuous, select grazer.
Prefer nutrient rich leaves and new plant shoots.
Teeth grow continuously.
55
Q

What are fibrevores?

A

Animals that are obligatory fibre eaters - need to eat fibre.
Rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas.

56
Q

Describe digestion of fibre in ‘fibrevores’.

A

Separation of digesta depending on particle size occurs in hind gut - large particles have rapid movement through colon as hard faeces.
Smaller particles and solubles undergo fermentation to VFAs in caecum.
Caecal contents expelled periodically as sticky droppings - caecotrophs or caecals - these are then eaten and redigested.
Provides microbial protein - B group vitamins, vitamin K, VFA.

57
Q

What are the general goals of chronic kidney disease treatment via nutrition?

A

Control clinical signs of uraemia
maintain adequate fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balance
provide adequate nutrition
Slow progression of the disease
Theraputic renal food indicated - serum creatinine >179umol/L

58
Q

How do diets formulated for CKD vary from maintenance diets?

A

Reduced protein, P, Na
Increased K, B vitamin, soluble fibre, omega-3 PUFA, antioxidants
Higher caloric density
Neural effect on acid-base balance
Maintain urine pH 6-6.5
Gradual transition needed - animal may have issues adjusting to new diet and there can be complications if animal goes without food for short periods.

59
Q

What role does protein play in controlling CKD?

A

Reducing protein intake improves clinical sings - may delay onset of uraemia.
Increasing protein quality however doesn’t have any major adverse effects.
Reduce acid load, reduce acidosis.
Limit dietary intake of P.
Recommended levels: 14.5-15%CP dogs, 28-30%CP for cats.
High biological value and taurine, particularly for cats.

60
Q

Why is indigestible fibre important in the rabbit diet?

A

Scratch factor - stimulates GIT motility, maintains peristalsis.
Grinds teeth down.
Stimulates appetite.
No peristalsis = fatal for rabbits

61
Q

Why is Phosphorus important to monitor in CKD diets?

A

Reduced renal P excretion leads to its retention - stimulates increased PTH - inhibits conversion of inactive vitamin D to calcitrol - decreased calcitrol, decreased ionised Ca and increased P - renal secondary hyperparathyroidism.
Limit dietary intake of P - can use intestinal P-binding agents to minimise P absorption from GIT, administration needs to coincide with feeding.

62
Q

What effect does acidosis have?

A

Unable to clear acids from bloodstream - loose excessive amounts of bicarbonate - metabolic acidosis.
Early cases may be controlled by diet - later cases can be treated with Sodium bicarb or potassium citrate.

63
Q

Why should excessive NaCl be avoided in the case of CKD?

A

Systemic hypertension may accelerate progression of kidney disease.
Direct transmission of systemic pressures to glomerular capillaries.
Recommended Na 0.1-0.25% dogs, 0.2-0.35% cats.
Cl 1.5 x Na requirement.

64
Q

Why is Potassium important in cases of CKD?

A

Hypokalaemia common in cats.
Results from decreased dietary intake due to anorexia - increased losses from vomiting or polyuria - decreased GFR and reduced urine concentrating ability.
Renal support diets generally supplemented with K.

65
Q

What kind of energy do CKD animals need?

A

Increase energy per volume feed.

66
Q

Why are omega-3 FA important for CKD?

A

Reno-protective - conserve renal function, reduce intra-glomerular hypertension and preserve renal structure.

67
Q

Do B-group vitamins need to be supplemented in CKD?

A

Tend to be low due to inappetence and increased loss due to polyuria.
Gained from fish, meat, eggs.
Very sensitive to light - need to be stored appropriately.

68
Q

What advantages are there to feeding a higher soluble fibre diet to animals suffering CKD?

A

Oat fibre, soy fibre, psyllium.
Blood urea diffuses into LI - used by bacteria a N source - excreted in faeces.
Net effect is increased faecal urea excretion and reduced urea in blood.

69
Q

Why are antioxidants important in the diet of CKD?

A

Increased free radicals may contribute to progression of CKD.

70
Q

What is the prognosis for animals with CKD?

A

Some do well with dietary management.
Animals that loose more protein in their urine have less favourable prognosis.
Earlier CKD diagnosed and treated the better the outcome.

71
Q

Why is digestible fibre important in rabbits diets?

A

Needed for essential nutrition
Maintains correct level of good bacteria in the gut - essential for digestion and work
Too little leads to malnutrition

Fibre also encourages natural foraging behaviour, prevents boredom.

72
Q

Do rabbits need vitamin supplements?

A

No - most gained from diet.

73
Q

Should you feed rabbits hay?

A

Yes - grass or pasture hay for maintenance.
Legume/lucerne/clover good for growing rabbits.
Mixed hays good if not feeding pellets.

74
Q

What are the benefits and downfalls of feeding commercial pellets to rabbits?

A

Easy and convenient
Complete nutrition - vitamins, minerals, FA
Can be high energy, protein and Ca and easy to overfeed.
Lack health/welfare benefits of hay and fresh vegetables.

75
Q

What are the issues with muesli style feeds for rabbits?

A

Allows for selective feeding - may become fussy, develop taste for sweet, dietary imbalances
Lack fibre
Unhealthy ingredients - high sugar and starch, difficult for microbes to digest, obesity.

76
Q

Discuss ferret digestion.

A

Obligate carnivores
Short GIT - no caecum
Rapid ingesta transit time
Digestion inefficient and nutrients poorly absorbed.
Low concentration of brush border enzymes - lactase.
CHO not required and should be limited.
Unable to digest plant fibres.

77
Q

Can you feed canine diets to ferrets?

A

No
Protein, fat and CHO levels are inappropriate.

Can feet cat food.

78
Q

What are the suggested nutritional requirements for ferrets?

A

Adult - 30-40% protein, 15-20% fat, 2% fibre

Maintenance 0.5MJ/kgBW^0.75

79
Q

How should you feed a neutered pet ferret?

A 
Constant access to water and feed.
Premium cat or ferret food.
Palatable, pelleted or extruded 90% DM.
15% fat, 30% high quality meat protein, 30% CHO.
9-10 meals per day.
4kcal ME/g

OR raw meat, eggs and meaty bones - not scavengers so needs to be fresh.
Habit of stashing excess feed so need to remove if not consumed within an hour.

80
Q

What are the effects of feeding a higher CHO diet to ferrets?

A

Poor performance and growth
Greater susceptibility to infectious and metabolic diseases
Weight loss, poor coat condition, pancreatic endocrine disorders, urinary calculi.
Kibble diets have to much CHO and fibre.

81
Q

What are some of the effects of feeding poor quality diets (poor quality meat protein and large quantities of plant based ingredients) to ferrets?

A

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis
Inflammatory bowel disease
Insulinoma - increased insulin, hypoglycaemia.
Urolithiasis - anuria

82
Q

Can you feed ferrets treats?

A

Only high quality ferret or cat - meat based treats.

No human foods (other than meat)

83
Q

Why does pregnancy toxaemia occur in ferrets?

A

Insufficient energy resulting in abnormal fat and CHO metabolism due to foetal demands.
Substantial mortality
Varying degrees of hyerlipidaemia, hypoglycaemia and hyperketonaemia.
Day 32-42 of gestation.
Maiden jills with larger litters more at risk.
75% occurrence when fasted for 24hrs in last week of gestation.
Limitation of abdominal capacity and volume of feed required to meet energy demands.

84
Q

What are the signs of preg tox in ferrets?

A 
Sudden onset
Lethargy
Hypothermia
Dehydration
Sternal recumbancy
Decreased awareness
Inappetance - weight loss
Diarrhoea/melaena
Icterus
Red mucous membranes
Sudden death
85
Q

What is the treatment for preg tox in ferrets?

A

Correct energy deficit, dehydration and electrolyte balance.
IV fluids - glucose and electrolytes.
Supplement high energy diet - frequent hand or force feeding (easy - hold by scruff of neck).
Caesarian if after d40.
Advanced cases have poor prognosis.

86
Q

How should critical care ferrets be fed?

A

Feed as much as they will comfortably eat - 12-25mL/meal.
2-4 times daily
Meat based baby foods or critical care diets for cats
Kitten milk replacer for kits.
May need to force feed
Liquify ration and feed with syringe.

87
Q

Can vegetarian/vegan diets be fed to dogs?

A

Yes - but need to formulated very carefully.

88
Q

What are some of the potential problems that may be encountered when feeding a vegetarian/vegan diet to a dog or cat?

A

Inadequate protein intake (<25g per 1000kcal)
Imbalance of AA - taurine and L-carnitine (dogs and cats)
Imbalance of essential FA - arachidonic acid (cats)
Deficiency of vitamins and minerals - B vitamins, Ca, P, Fe
Vitamin A (cats) - important for beta-carotene conversion and obtained ideally and mostly via animal products.
Low palatability

89
Q

What can improperly balanced vegetarian and vegan diets lead to?

A

Serious and sometimes irreversible medical conditions.
Taurine related dilated cardiomyopathy - Enlarged heart with weak contractions and poor pumping ability.
Low Taurine also causes - reproductive failure, growth failure, eye problems.
Sports anaemia - dogs.

90
Q

What 3 factors should be considered when assessing a vegetarian diet for a dog?

A

Does the diet meet the animals nutritional needs?
Is the diet sufficiently palatable to ensure adequate intake?
When fed the diet, is the animal in good health?

91
Q

What are the four guidelines of feeding vegetarian/vegan diets to animals?

A

Never feed to puppies and kittens or to dogs and cats that you are planning to breed from.
Only consider or feed commercial diets that have undergone feeding trials and meet AAFCO compliance.
Diets - commercial or homemade vegetarian pet diets need to be thoroughly evaluated and make recommendations for supplements.
Schedule more frequent check-ups, including blood work, at least twice a year, even for young pets eating vegetarian diets.

92
Q

Why would vets feed specialty foods that are vegetarian or vegan?

A

Specially formulated pet foods made from non meat protein sources either to diagnose or treat food allergies, liver disease, bladder stones.
These may be appropriate to satisfy owners ideals.
They are prescription only and need to be fed under veterinary supervision and they are expensive.

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