Small Animal #1 Flashcards
What are the primary characteristics of the main types of conventional pet foods?
Pet food is a total mixed ration, supplying all nutrients except water. It is complete & balanced, meaning nutrients are providing in proportion to energy—so that nutrient requirements are met when caloric needs are met. Some commercial products are NOT complete & balanced, however. Instead, they are labelled for “intermittent or supplemental feeding only,” i.e., not complete & balanced, or not tested. This can include canned products and includes many treats. Pet food nutrients include
What is a total mixed ration?
supplying all nutrients except water
What does it mean when a diet is complete and balanced?
nutrients are providing in proportion to energy—so that nutrient requirements are met when caloric needs are met.
Some commercial products are NOT complete & balanced. What are they labeled as?
they are labelled for “intermittent or supplemental feeding only
Food intake is determined by what?
Food intake is determined by caloric density.
excess protein is used for ____________
energy
what does protein quality depend on?
EAA content, caloric content, and digestibility
Total protein content is determined by what?
EAA requirements
When are EAA used more efficiently?
EAA are used more efficiently with ↑ non-protein calorie content.
Protein requirements for canines and felines respectively?
CANINE: Minimum 22% protein on DM basis.
FELINE: Minimum 30% protein on DM basis
What improves palatability of a diet?
fat
In terms of fat, compare wet and dry foods
Canned foods: ↑DM fat
Dry food: ↓DM fat
Which EFAs are required at 2% DM?
*LINOLEIC ACID
*LINOLENIC ACID
*ARACHIDONIC ACID (cats)
Energy requirements vary with what?
life stage, activity level, environment, and health status.
what are the requirements of minerals in a diet?
▪Meet absolute requirements.
▪Maintain proper ratios, e.g. Ca:P
Excess calcium ______________ zinc absorption
decreases
Which vitamins are fat sooluble?
ADEK
Which vitamins are hydrophilic and lipophobic?
B vitamins
Which vitamins are hydrophobic and lipophilic?
ADEK
Why are vitamins added in excess to commercial diets?
lost during processing/storage
During processing, Vitamin A & B vitamins are destroyed by what?
heat (extrusion / canning)
During processing, Vitamin E vitamins are destroyed by what?
Lipid peroxidation
What additives are commonly found in commercial diets?
*Antioxidant or antimicrobial preservatives
*Humectants – keeps food moist.
*Flavour, flavouring agents; Coloring agents or preservatives.
*Emulsifying agent, stabilizers, thickeners
What are humectants?
*Additives to commercial foods that keeps food moist.
Traditionally, dry food is about ______% DM
90
____________ has Low “as fed” calories due to AIR whereas ______________ has High water which dilutes “as fed” calories and nutrients
Dry Food
Wet Food
Dry food has Low “as fed” calories due to ___________ whereas wet food has low “as fed” calories and nutrients due to ___________
- Air
- Water
which commercial type of diet describes the following:
↑ animal protein
↑ animal fat
↓ carbohydrates
Wet food
which commercial type of diet describes the following:
↑ in vegetable protein
↓ in fat
Dry Food
What is AAFCO? What does it do?
Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is a non-governmental organization that sets guidelines for uniform labelling and nutritional adequacy. In America, each State sets separate pet food regulations, but AAFCO guidelines form the basis of these regulations in every state, bar two (Nevada and Alaska).
Is compliance with AAFCO guidelines mandatory?
No. It is voluntary
In regards to labelling regulations, AAFCO compliance involves what? (7)
oProduct name, Net weight, and the words “dog food” or “cat food”
oName & address of manufacturer
oGuaranteed analysis (CP, crude fiber, crude fat, moisture)
oIngredients listed in ↓ order by weight
oCaloric content per common unit of measure
oDirections for feeding
oStatement of nutritional adequacy or purpose
According to AAFCO regulations, what is NOT available on food labels?
Overall digestibility, biologic value of protein, quality of product, contamination
Besides determining labelling regulations, what else does AAFCO do?
*Establishes standard nutrient profiles, e.g., for growth, maintenance, etc.
*Establishes standardized feeding trial protocols.
*Defines feed ingredients.
What methods are used by pet food manufacturers to prove product nutritional adequacy?
1.Computer Analysis to meet AAFCO profiles.
2.Standardized AAFCO feeding trials
How do pet food manufacturers use Computer Analysis to prove product nutritional adequacy?
Estimates concentrations of nutrients and identifies serious formulation errors, HOWEVER assumes ingredients used have the same nutrient profiles as the computer database. Nutrient content is then confirmed by chemical analysis.
Describe Standardized AAFCO feeding trials
A specific animal type and number undergo a trial length as determined by label claim, whereby defined clinical observations are recorded and there is an established criteria for passing or failing – Nutrient content is then confirmed by chemical analysis
Why could one argue food trials are better than computer analysis? Include what sort of information you can gather
Provides indirect information regarding factors unable to be evaluated by chemical analysis alone on the following:
oPalatability
oNutrient digestibility & availability
oNutrient interactions
oToxins & contaminants
What is the Family Product Rule?
Manufacturers can claim on labels that a product has passed AAFCO feeding trials without testing when the product is similar to “parent food,” provided laboratory tests prove they match or exceed key ingredients—also, claims must match those of the “parent food” in terms of animal life stage, e.g. Adult Dogs.
What is a sign that your animal is consuming an acceptable diet (from a nutritional standpoint)?
oMaintain BW and condition.
oGood coat quality
oNormal stool
How can you objectively evaluate the quality of a commercial pet food? (7)
*AAFCO feeding trials are most reliable and objective assessment. GOLD STANDARD.
*Animals consuming acceptable diets:
oMaintain BW and condition.
oGood coat quality
oNormal stool
*Animal protein should be high on the ingredient list.
o1 of first 2 for cats
*Check for added calcium.
*Be suspicious of different forms of the same ingredient listed separately.
*Digestibility >75% to be considered adequate → Does the animal have diarrhea?
*Quality of packaging.
What are the pros and cons of grain-free foods?
Pros:
* Corn has an incomplete amino acid profile - lysine, methionine, tryptophan are limited.
* Wheat has an incomplete amino acid profile (lysine, methionine, and threonine are limited).
* Wheat is one of 3 common causes of food hypersensitivity in dogs (secondary to gluten)
* Same quality assessment as any other pet food
Cons
* Very few documented cases of corn hypersensitivity or intolerance
* Corn & wheat are well utilized by dogs.
* Grain-free diets are ↑ fat and protein.
o Predispose to obesity.
o Poor choice for hepatic/renal insufficiency, fat intolerance, or pancreatitis
* Protein is $$$ source of energy (dollar costs & metabolic costs)
* Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Goldens
* Taurine deficient dogs (inconsistent)
What are the pros and cons of raw foods?
Pros:
* Some are TMR fed as sole source of nutrition.
* Many now formulated to meet AAFCO profiles.
* True risk of infection is poorly defined, as few reports give cause & effect.
* Pet-food borne infection is not limited to raw food.
* Careful client education can improve outcomes, e.g.:
o Safe food handling; do not feed pets in kitchen.
o Avoid poultry products.
o Not on immunosuppressive drugs.
o Informed consent?
Cons:
* No evidence for “evolutionarily appropriate” claim → refuted by genomic comparison of dogs to wolves
o Dogs digest starch better
* GI foreign bodies and perforation
* Gastroenteritis from bacterial contamination or ↑ FAT CONTENT
* Sepsis
* Iatrogenic hyperthyroidism
* Nutritional imbalances, especially when prepared at home.
* AAFCO guidelines weren’t developed for raw food.
* Risk of infection in cats & dogs! Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, Staph sp., toxoplasmosis, & Campylobacter
What is metabolizable energy? Include equation
Metabolizable energy (ME) is gross energy in food after subtracting energy lost in feces and urine, i.e. it is the total energy available to animal.
ME = Energy[intake] – (Energy[urine] + Energy[feces])
What is maintenance energy requirement?
Maintenance energy requirement (MER) meets needs for:
*Basal metabolic rate
*Normal body temperature
*Recovery from normal activity
*Obtaining, digesting, and assimilating food
how do we calculate maintenance energy requirements?
MER = 110 (BWkg)^3/4
When do we use equations annd tables in nutrition?
to provide a rough estimate of individual requirements – an initial recommendation of food intake.
How do you feed a healthy cat to maintain optimal body condition?
*30% of calories from protein (high!)
*Absolute requirement for TAURINE & ARGININE
*Cannot synthesize arachidonic acid – require animal fats.
*↓ capacity for Vitamin D synthesis
*Cannot convert carotene → Vitamin A (retinol)
*Cannot convert tryptophan → niacin.
*Energy requirements are poorly defined
*50-80 kcal ME/kg/d
*Nutrient requirements met when caloric requirements are met.
FEEDING RECOMMENDATIONS:
*Meal or ad lib feeding of canned or dry all good – Obese cats better with meals!
*Different ration types as needed!
*NO supplements
*5 kg cat → 290 kcal
How do you feed a healthy dog to maintain optimal body condition?
*Discourage use of vitamins and mineral supplements
*Meal feeding is most appropriate (twice a day or once a day)
*Different ration types as needed.
*Treats should be no more than 10% of caloric intake.
*Canned products can be associated with dental disease.
*Dry food is convenient and costs less for large breeds.
*Owner/pet preference matters most.
*25 kg dog → 940 kcal
*45 kg dog → 1460 kcal
In general, when instructing an owner on How to feed a healthy cat or dog to maintain optimal body condition, what should you keep in mind?
BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC
– Identify product names, flavours, and forms; - provide several choices to account for cost and availability;
- Provide exact amounts in familiar measurements (cups/cans)
- Give written instructions
- Update medical record to reflect changes.
How should feeding practices be adjusted for geriatric dogs? Include feeding recommendations.
*↓ Energy requirements (↓ muscle, ↓ activity)
*↑ PROTEIN: Require 50% more protein to maintain muscle mass as compared to young dogs
*FIBER: Added soluble or insoluble fiber for intestinal disorders, diabetes, and obesity
*VITAMINS: A, E, Se are antioxidants and may affect immune response, carcinogenesis, and CNS function
*Glucosamine / chondroitin sulfate – management of degenerative joint disease
FEEDING RECOMMENDATIONS:
*C&B commercial diet. No single ration for all ages.
*Monitor BW & BCS to ensure appropriate energy intake.
*Do not automatically restrict protein intake.
*Consider dental disease, osteoarthritis, and other geriatric diseases which may impact food intake.
*Clinical studies still needed to confirm benefits of senior diets.
How should feeding practices be adjusted for geriatric cats? Include feeding recommendations.
*Less clear ↓ feline energy requirements with age – most likely though
*Protein needs likely unchanged or ↑
*Unknown vitamin or mineral needs.
*Controversial optimal fiber intake – both amount and type.
FEEDING RECOMMENDATIONS:
*No reason to alter diet in healthy older cats.
*Do not automatically restrict protein intake.
*Vitamin/mineral supplements are not needed with good quality C&B diets.
*Consider dental disease & other geriatric diseases as they impact food intake.
What are the primary concerns in diets for puppies and kittens
ENERGY, PROTEIN, CALCIUM/PHOSPHORUS
How do you feed a puppy to maintain optimal body condition and growth rate? Include feeding recommendations
*Grow extremely quickly when healthy.
*50-60% of mature weight met at 5-6 months
*↑Energy and protein dense
*↑Digestibility
*C&B – Ca and P important!
FEEDING RECOMMENDATIONS:
*Dry foods are preferred by nutritionists.
*Canned for small breeds / problem eaters.
*Estimate ER and provide appropriate number of feedings in meals.
*Keep at optimal or slightly thin BCS
*NEVER use V&M supplements
How do you feed a kitten to maintain optimal body condition and growth rate? Include feeding recommendations
*↑↑ Energy and protein during rapid growth
*↑Digestibility
*TAURINE is essential for normal growth.
*Ca/P should be adequate and balanced.
FEEDING RECOMMENDATIONS:
*Kitten food for 6 months
*Dry foods are preferred by nutritionists.
*Ad lib feeding ensures adequate intake.
oKittens are less likely to overeat compared to puppies.
*Introduce Adult ration at 6 months old when kitten ~75% adult BW
How do major nutrient requirements vary?
How do you adjust feeding practices in puppies and kittens from adults?
PUPPY
*↑Energy and protein dense
*↑Digestibility
*C&B – Ca and P important!
o~1% DM – excessive can lead to bone pathology
KITTEN
*↑↑ Energy and protein during rapid growth
*↑Digestibility
*TAURINE is essential for normal growth.
*Ca/P should be adequate and balanced.
What is a nutritional assessment? What are the components?
A systematic collection and integration of clinical information used to evaluate nutritional status. Three primary—but closely interrelated—components:
1.Food & food related factors
2.Animal & animal related factors
(History/PE/Laboratory testing)
3.Feed management (owner related factors)
