Feeding cats and dogs Flashcards
Dogs digestion type
Omnivores
Opportunistic predators and scavengers
Often consume large, opportunistic meals
Stomach expands based on need
30-35 g of DM/kg of BW
1-9L depending on breed
Have requirements for essential amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.
Cat digestion type
Carnivores
No regular sleep-wake cycle, activity, feeding and drinking
Eating cycle of cats
Typically eat 10-20 small meals through day and night
Mostly small prey (rodents, birds, etc)
Average mouse is 30 kcal; 12-13% of DER
Meal feeding?
Solitary hunters
Hunting is an innate need
Cats and carbohydrate digestion
Not as efficient as dogs at using a high carbohydrate diet
Digestive tract has limited ability to digest carbohydrates
Low intestinal activity levels of sucrase and lactase (sugar digesting enzyme)
Only produce 5% of pancreatic amylase (starch digesting enzyme) compared to dogs
Lack hepatic glucokinase, which limits ability to metabolize a large load of simple sugars in the liver
Wild cats and digestion of aa
Also cannot taste sweet!
Natural diet of wild cats actually very low percentage of carbohydrates, almost equal fat/protein
Carbon skeletons of some amino acids (glucogenic) required for gluconeogenesis
Higher dietary protein requirement than omnivores (including dogs) and herbivores
Specific nutrition needs for cats
Taurine
Cats can only use taurine to conjugate bile acids; in other species also use glycine as well
Cats have a low rate of synthesis
Methionine and cystine
Sulfur containing amino acids
Require to synthesize taurine
Arachidonic acid
Limited ability to synthesize from linoleic acid
Vitamin A
Lack intestinal enzymes to convert beta carotene (from plants) to Vitamin A
Water
Oral cavity of cats and dogs
Limited lateromedial and craniocaudal movement
Less grinding ability
Cat’s carnassial teeth
Transecting cervical bite
Dog’s molar teeth
Crushing (including plant material)
Feeding preferences of cats
Sensitive to form, aroma and taste
Mouth feel
Solid, moist foods
Early experience can affect preferences throughout life
Fixed food preferences
Flavour
Reflect natural diet
Animal fat, protein, meat extracts and amino acids abundant in muscle
Cannot taste sweet
Sensitive to bitter
Temp
37*C
Food aversions with cats
Cats learn to avoid certain foods when feeding is paired with - experience
Physiological: typically related to GI: nausea, vomiting
Emotional: stress, fear
Physical: pain
Clinic feeding should not reflect desired long term diet
Can last up to 40 days
What to consider when feeding healthy adult animals
Patient
Diet
Environmental
Patient considerations when choosing a diet
Age
Sex
Neuter status
Lifestyle
Breed
Genetic predisposition
Diet considerations when choosing food for a specific animal
Calories
Cost
Format (wet/dry)
Complete balanced
Treats
Environmental considerations for diets
Convenience
Deesing method
Competition
Free choice feeding is and beneficial for
Only for dry feeds
Less food aggression
Increased risk for obesity
Interferes with house training
Can be automated for acreage/vacations
Time restricted meal feeding is and beneficial for
Can feed once or twice a day
Offer food for about 5 minutes
Works best for dry or semi dry foods
Reduced risk of obesity?
Easier house training
Food restriction meal feeding is
Feed a measured amount of food
Good for both dry and canned or fresh food
Reduced risk of over nutrition
Usually the best feeding method
More food aggression
Nutritional recommendations should include
What to feed?
Generally a complete and balanced formula for adult maintenance
May have nutrients to assist with certain predispositions or health concerns (ie. obesity, hairballs, dental disease)
Consider specific formula, including format and whether treats are included
How much to feed
Provide specific amounts
How?
Feeding amounts
Resting energy requirement
Energy to maintain body functions and digest food
Maintenance energy requirement
Allowance for normal daily activity
Daily energy requirement
Considers energy needed for production
