Lifestage Feeding

Question 1

When does the importance of nutrients start in a new pup or kitten?

Answer 1

During pregnancy, get the nutrition to the mother correct!

Question 2

What is colostrum and why is it important?

Answer 2

1st milk.
Composition of nutrients varies greatly between species.
Neonates get 95% of their immunity from this so is vital they receive it asap! Its a source of nutrients and a source of energy. It’s also important for correcting their circulating fluid volume.

Question 3

What is in colostrum?

Answer 3

High in fat and immunoglobulins (proteins requires for immune system)

Question 4

Why is there tight time limit on colostrum?

Answer 4

Immunoglobulins are absorbed directly across the neonates intestine (do not get digested!)
The ability to absorb such large molecules across the intestine is only happening for first 12-24hrs. After this period, there is a closure and proteins then are digested and absorbed normally.

Question 5

What are puppies and kittens doing between 0-4 weeks? What are they not able to do for themselves at this life stage?

Answer 5

Eating sleeping growing
They are poikilothermic at this stage which means they cannot regulate their own body temperature i.e. they cant shiver. We have to ensure temperature is adequate so they are not wasting energy.

Question 6

How long do puppies/kittens feed on mother’s milk?

Answer 6

Up until 3-4- weeks (still have to monitor mum’s nutrition)

Question 7

How and what solids should puppies/kittens be moved onto?

Answer 7

Put them onto a good quality balanced growth diet that will be the same until they are older. Ideally a moist diet so add a little warm water.
Should move them onto this slowly

Question 8

How should puppies/kittens be presented with their food?

Answer 8

In shallow dish- 4-5 times per day

Question 9

When do puppies/kittens get their teeth?

Answer 9

21-35 days old

Question 10

When are puppies/kittens fully weaned?

Answer 10

About 6 weeks

Question 11

What occurs at 6-7 weeks of age in puppies/kittens?

Why have we got to be carful of this?

Answer 11

There is a dip in maternal antibodies (MA). They get their 1st vac at 8 weeks so we are challenging their immune system. They also may go home at this age, so we are challenging them again with stress of moving and being separated from mum. We should not change the diet of puppies/kittens until at least a few weeks after this is all over (will cause GI distress).

Question 12

What are the ages of puberty in

1. cats and small dogs
2. Medium dogs
3. Large/giant dogs?

Answer 12

1. 6-12m
2. 12-18m
3. 18-24m

Question 13

When does the fastest growth rate occur? How does this affect nutritional requirements?

Answer 13

In the 1st 6 months. Growing puppies require double the energy requirement of adult dogs (50% energy spent on maintenance; 50% on growth).

Question 14

What would a diet for a growing puppy need?

Answer 14

Quite a high protein content, above average digestibility, close to a 1:1 Ca:P ratio, good vitamins and minerals content.

Question 15

How much energy do kittens require?

Answer 15

About 160kcal per day, but some cats can be fed ad lib and they can regulate their own energy requirements.

Question 16

Describe what the fat content should be in a growing diet?

Answer 16

Must have a good source of essential FAs

Increased fat content to meet energy needs (i.e. high energy density)

Question 17

What can happen if you overfeed a puppy?

Answer 17

Can cause hyperplastic obesity in later life. If an animal is obese in growing stages, more fat cells are laid down. Therefore there are more fat cells that each have the potential to be bigger in later life.

Question 18

What is important in terms of ensuring a puppy/kitten meets its energy requirement?

Answer 18

They have quite high energy requirements so need to make sure they’re not being fed an unmanageable amount of food (small tummies!). Therefore digestibility must be high and energy density must be high. High biological value and high in essential amino acids is key.

Question 19

What are large puppies subject to?

Answer 19

Susceptible to Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) and Hip Dysplasia.

Question 20

What causes OCD and Hip Dysplasia in large breed dogs?

Answer 20

Multi-factorial conditions.

• inherited tendency
• made worse by fast growth rate
• too much calcium
• too much exercise

Question 21

What restrictions should be put on large breed puppies?

Answer 21

Should be fed a diet with slightly restricted Calcium and Phosphorous. And a slightly restricted energy density (i.e. lower fat content) to try and slow the growth down.
Should also restrict them to small intervals of low impact exercise.

Question 22

What determines Metabolic Rate?

Answer 22

The higher the surface area and the smaller the body weight, the higher the metabolic rate.

Question 23

Describe the ideal feeding regime of puppies

Answer 23

Measured portions
4-5 meals per day up to 10 weeks old
3 meals a day until they reach 50% of adult size
2 meals a day thereafter

Question 24

Describe the ideal feeding regime of kittens

Answer 24

Dependant on individual!

Some may regulate their own intake so fed ad lib

Question 25

What should you do to monitor growth in animals?

Answer 25

Weigh and condition score regularly

Question 26

What should you know when looking at a food label?

Answer 26

Carbohydrates will not be published
Energy density (kcal) will not be published
Water content is not published if less than 10%

Question 27

What do we mean when discussing nutrition when we say ‘adult maintenance’?

Answer 27

A healthy average dog/cat, who has reached maximum growth and is not pregnant, lactating, doing strenuous work or unwell.

Question 28

In what species would a wet diet possibly be favourable to a dry?

Answer 28

Male cats prone to urinary crystals (as has more moisture content)

Question 29

What are some of the differences you would see in the composition of cat and dog foods?

Answer 29

Cats have a higher protein requirement

Cats also don’t use carbohydrates as well as dogs, so may have a higher fat content.

Question 30

At what age roughly is geriatric status reached in:
1. Small breeds (<9kg)
2. Medium Breeds (9-22kg)
3 Large breeds (22-40kg)
4. Giants breeds (>40kg)
5. Cats?

Answer 30

1. 11 +/- 2 years
2. 10 +/- 1.5 years
3. 9 +/- 1 year
4. 7 +/- 1 year
5. 12 +/- 2 years
   * very variable dependant on individual!*

Question 31

What are some signs of ageing?

Answer 31

Less energy, more sleep
Organ deterioration
Grooming issues
Dementia
Stiff Joints
Decreased lean muscle mass, weight changes
Reduced digestive abilities
Tendency to diabetes
Decreased appetite
Greying
Cataracts, deterioration of the senses
Deterioration of thirst receptors
Dental issues
Poor coat/skin condition