Lecture 14 - Pet Food Trends & Science Behind The Marketing Flashcards
What are some of the most common pet food ingredients known to induce an adverse (allergic) reaction?
Beef, chicken, corn, wheat, cow’s milk, soy, eggs, and fish
True or False: Despite some pet food ingredients being known as common “allergens”, there is not actually any elevated antigenicity in these food ingredients and any antigen may cause an equivalent adverse response
True
True or False: IgE/IgM/IgA tests in blood or saliva and intradermal tests are the most accurate methods to identify specific food sensitivities in pets
False; these tests are often inaccurate, and it is more effective to do an elimination diet to narrow down the possibilities
True or False: There is no substantial nutritional difference between GMO and non-GMO food
True
True or False: Dogs and cats are unable to digest or absorb carbohydrates
False; cats and dogs CAN digest and absorb carbohydrates
Cats are constantly undergoing _______________. Additionally, the have lower _____________ activity and are slowly at clearing glucose from their body.
Gluconeogenesis; glucokinase
What are some benefits of fiber in obligate carnivores?
Prebiotic, promotes satiety, protection, and regulation of GI transit
What is included under the umbrella of “meat by-products”?
Certain carcasses/parts rejected for human use, such as meat that does not meat aesthetic standards or internal organs (like liver, heart, kidney, etc.)
What beneficial vitamins and minerals can livers, kidneys, and hearts provide in the diet?
Liver = B vitamins, vitamin A, copper, zinc, choline
Kidney = B vitamins, vitamin A, selenium, potassium
Heart = B vitamins, copper, iron, magnesium
Which dogs and cats may be negatively affected by by-products in food, and why?
Dogs and cats in liver failure - purine content is high in foods containing by-products
What is the theory behind the raw food diet, in terms of what makes it beneficial to the animal?
Raw/gently cooked food is higher in antioxidants due to increased processing and increased surface exposure of the meats to air - it is believed these antioxidant chemicals and beneficial living enzymes are destroyed with high heat
What are the known health risks of feeding dogs raw?
High risk of salmonella and coliforms from contaminated raw meat
True or False: There is high zoonotic risk linked to feeding raw, because dogs can shed salmonella bacteria in their feces for up to 2 weeks after being infected
True
True or False: Feeding frozen raw diets rather than fresh raw diets will eliminate the risk of bacteria or parasitic infection from the food
False; studies have proven that frozen raw meat based diets very often contain zoonotic parasites or bacteria that can cause illness/infection (E. Coli most commonly)
What are some of the AVMA’s recommendations in regards to feeding dogs and cats a raw diet?
(Multiple answers)
- Avoid feeding inadequately treated animal-source protein
- Restrict access to carrion/carcasses
- Feed fresh, clean, and nutritionally balanced home-cooked or commercial foods
- Dispose of uneaten food at least once daily
- Practice good hygiene before and after feedings
Toxoplasma and Brucella are both serious health concerns associated with feeding…
Raw food
True or False: It is very possible for a dog to live healthily on a vegetarian or vegan diet, as long as the diets are balanced and still meet the dietary needs of the dog
True
(Digestibility and bioavailability are important to consider too!)
Why are vegetarian and vegan diets highly discouraged for cats, more so than dogs?
- Cats are obligate carnivores and many of their essential nutrients come from meat
- Lack of meat in the diet can lead to serious deficiencies, namely taurine, B1, and methionine
True or False: A diet with high added phosphorus can eventually cause micoaluminuria, glycosuria, and kidney failure in cats
True
(according to several studies)
What are the downsides of preparing and feeding home-cooked diets in place of feeding commercial diets?
- Usually more time consuming and expensive
- Need to be complete/balanced (can be hard to achieve)
There are approximately ____ essential nutrients for dogs and cats
40
What factors does the NRC take into account when determining if a diet is balanced or not?
- Minimum requirement (MR)
- Recommended allowance (RA)
- Safe Upper Limit (SUL)
What are some proposed issues with home-cooked diet recipes created by non-veterinary professionals?
- Unbalanced
- High likelihood for deficiencies (1 or more, some severe)
- Vague/require assumptions (high possibility for unsafe substitutions by pet owners)
What are the three most common vitamin/mineral deficiencies found in home-cooked diets?
Zinc, vitamin D, and choline
Used as a natural remedy for fleas and parasites, but no published information on efficacy; has the potential to induce Heinze-body anemia
Garlic
Used as a natural remedy for stomach pain and nausea, but no published data on efficacy for pain and few on efficacy as an anti-emetic; strong flavor
Ginger
Natural remedy that is supposedly a source of MCTs and other beneficial fatty acids; no proven benefits in pets; carries potential risks for high fat diets
Coconut oil
Contains curcuminoids, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-neoplastic properties; studies of benefits in companion animals are currently inconclusive
Turmeric
A type of oil with a growing use as a natural remedy for a variety of conditions - including joint disease, pain, epilepsy, and cancer
CBD oil
Used as a natural remedy to clean teeth and treat a variety of skin and digestive issues, as well as UTIs and yeast otitis; risk for skin burns and teeth erosion
Apple cider vinegar
Where do omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) come from in the diet?
Marine sources (oily fish, algae, krill)
What are the benefits of having grain in dog and cat diets?
- High digestibility
- Allergies uncommon
- Provides vitamins, minerals, amino acids, EFAs, and fiber
Canine dilated cardiomyopathy is thought to be related to a taurine deficiency connected to feeding…
Grain free diets
What is taurine?
A free amino acid found in several tissues in high concentrations (like the heart and retina)
True or False: Dogs and cats tend to utilize glycine rather than taurine, whereas other mammals may use either
False; dogs and cat tend to utilize TAURINE rather than GLYCINE
(Extra note: Taurine is conjugated to bile acids, similar to glycine)
True or False: Dogs can make taurine from methionine or cysteine
True
DCM is most frequently reported to the FDA in which breed of dog?
Golden Retrievers
Which dog food brand is named most frequently in DCM cases reported to the FDA?
Acana (closely followed by Zignature and Taste of the Wild)
Which ingredients/diet characteristics were found the most commonly in diets reported in DCM cases
“Peas and/or lentils” and “grain-free”
True or False: Plant and animal proteins provide the same benefits to dogs, so either type is sufficient on its own to meet their dietary protein needs
False; for example, legumes are high in protein, but low in methionine and cysteine (which dogs use to synthesize taurine) - if legumes are the sole/primary protein source provided, the dog will likely develop a taurine deficiency
Phytates, glycoproteins, phytosterols, and phenols are all anti-nutritive compounds in legumes that _________ digestibility
Reduce
True or False: Every dog on a grain-free diet should be given taurine supplements, even if they are not exhibiting signs of deficiency
False; taurine only needs to be supplemented in the case of a deficiency
What type of system does AAFCO use to evaluate whether a diet is well-balanced?
Minimum and maximum
