Intro to dog and cat nutrition

Question 1

Why are cats obligate carnivores?

Answer 1

AA Taurine is essential for cats (not dogs)
Taurine can only be found in animal tissue

Question 2

What is the effect of taurine deficiency in cats?

Answer 2

Dilated cardiomyopathy

Question 3

What is protein required for in small animal diets?

Answer 3

Tissue growth and repair
Manufacture of hormones and enzymes
Immune system
Energy source

Question 4

What is the function of fats in small animal diet?

Answer 4

Main source of energy
Aids absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E,K)

Question 5

What essential fatty acids are provided in small animal diets?

Answer 5

Linolenic acid (can be synthesised from linoleic)
Linoleic acid
Arachidonic acid

Question 6

What are the different types of carbs in small animal diets?

Answer 6

Simple sugars e.g., glucose in fruit
Starches e.g., glycogen
fibre

Question 7

What is the function of starches in small animal diet?

Answer 7

provide energy
produce heat
building blocks for other nutrients
provide energy storage
source of fibre

Question 8

What is the function of fibre in small animal diet?

Answer 8

promote and regulate normal bowel function
provide fuel for cells in the colon

Question 9

When is a diet complete and balanced?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

What are complimentary products?

Answer 10

foods which individually are not sufficient to meet all nutritional requirements of a dog or cat in a single meal as they have no added supplements

Question 11

What factors must be taken into account when choosing a diet for a cat or dog?

Answer 11

Signalment
reproductive status
age
physical exam
weight
muscle condition score
BCS
lab tests (if required)

Question 12

What is the FEDIAF?

Answer 12

European pet food industry federation - sets standards for pet food manufacture

Question 13

What is the difference between as fed/guaranteed and dry matter on a food label?

Answer 13

As fed/guaranteed: ignored moisture and energy content
Dry matter: accounts for water content but not energy density

e.g.
protein as fed/guaranteed = 10%
Protein dry matter = 50%

Question 14

What are the pros and cons of dry complete food for cats and dogs?

Answer 14

Pros:
- better for dental care
- more nutrients per 100g
- less needed to satisfy energy and nutritional requirements
Cons:
- limited availability of fatty acids
- low water content
- acceptability is reduced when fed alone
- can become rancid quickly if not stored correctly

Question 15

What are the pros and cons of wet complete food

Answer 15

PRos:
- increased acceptability
- high digestibility
- increase water intake
- can be higher in animal source protein and fat
Cons:
- less nutrients per 100g
- more must be fed to satisfy energy and nutritional needs
- linked to increased dental disease

Question 16

What is the protein % as fed and dry matter?

Answer 16

protein as fed = 10%
Protein dry matter = (10/93)x100 = 10.7%

Question 17

What reasons may a cat or dog be receiving excess energy for their daily energy requirements?

Answer 17

poor quality diets
owners feeding too much of a diet
high fat content
additional complementary feeds
inadequate exercise
ongoing arthritis or other medical conditions

Question 18

What can happed if energy fed in diet does not meat (bet ur hungry) requirements of the animal?

Answer 18

Weight loss/malnutrition
Poor growth in young animals
Lactation failure
Poor wound healing or recovery from illness
Ongoing disease e.g., inflammatory bowel disease

Question 19

Describe the components of a weight loss diet for cats and dogs

Answer 19

Reduced calories
Reduced carbs
Added L-carnitine for fat mobilisation
Reduced dietary fat
Higher insoluble fibre
Increased exercise
Cats have increased protein

Question 20

How can diet lead to dental disease?

Answer 20

High sugar diets => cavities
Pets on a wet food only diet will acquire tartar if no brushing provided

Question 21

What are the components of a dental diet?

Answer 21

Change in texture, hardness and size can influence chewing => breaks food apart and removes plaque in the process
Chewing can stimulate salivary flow and alter the metabolism of plaque forming bacteria