Healthy Canine Nutrition Flashcards
What kind a food is ideal for puppies?
Specific purpose food for growth (+/- gestation/lactation)
**a food that has passed a feeding trial or test for growth
How long should puppies be fed growth specific food?
Until they are about 80% of adult size, then transition to adult food
What are the key nutritional factors for puppies?
Energy density protein fat calcium and phosphorus Soluble carbohydrate digestibility (about 80%)
What is the ideal Ca to P ratio for growing puppies?
Ca:P
1.1-1.8 : 1
Can dogs digest starch?
YES
making them different than obligate carnivores
What are the pros of food-limiting feeding puppies?
maybe be helpful for house training
Decreases risk factor for obesity
*divide food dose into 3-4 small meals per day - decrease risk of hypoglycemia
What is a condition commonly seen in small breed puppies that is associated with their food or feeding method?
puppy hypoglycemia
At what age is the digestive tract of a dog mature?
Around 4 months
What nutrient(s) need(s) to be higher for puppy development vs in the adult?
trace minerals
ex - copper and zinc
What risk factors go up when large breed or giant puppies have excessive food or nutrient intake?
Obesity
developmental orthopedic dz
What food should you recommend to an owner with a large or giant breed puppy?
Specific purpose food for growth (+/- gestation/lactation)
- *a food that has passed a feeding trial or test for growth
- need to feed for specific DER**
Do not want to overfeed FAT and CALCIUM
Hypercalcitoninism will ____ osteoclast activity and _______ osteoblast activity
Decrease
increase
How often should a puppies DER be calculated?
At every puppy visit - so every 3 to 4 weeks
At what age do dogs tend to become overweight to obese?
Middle age
What are the non-dietary risk factors of obese prone adult dogs?
Breed/genetics Gender and reproductive status Age - energy requirements go down with age Sedentary life style *if they are already overweight