Week 9 Flashcards
(129 cards)
What is protein required for in diet
Tissue growth and repair
Manufacture of hormones & enzymes
Immune system
Energy source
What is protein
What is the function of fats in small animal diet
Main source of energy
Aids absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E,K)
What essential fatty acids are provided by fat in small animal diet
Linolenic acid (can be synthesised from linoleic)
Linoleic acid
Arachidonic acid
- only found in animal tissue
What are the 3 types of carbohydrates in small animal diets
Simple sugars e.g., glucose in fruit
Starches e.g., glycogen
fibre
What is the function of starch in small animal diet
provide energy
produce heat
building blocks for other nutrients
provide energy storage
source of fibre
What is the function of fibre in small animal diet
promote and regulate normal bowel function
provide fuel for cells in the colon
What is the consequence of too much fibre in a small animal diet
Gas
Constipation
More faeces
More bowel movements
What is a balanced diet
Diet is complete & balanced when animal has consumed enough energy to meet energy requirements & correct amount of all essential nutrients needed for good health
What are complimentary products
foods which individually aren’t sufficient to meet all nutritional requirements of dog/cat in single meal, as they have no added supplements
e.g. mixer biscuits, treats
What is the FEDIAF?
European pet food industry federation - sets standards for pet food manufacture
What factors must be taken into account when choosing a diet for a cat or dog?
Signalment
reproductive status
age
physical exam
weight
muscle condition score
BCS
lab tests (if required)
What is the difference between as fed/guaranteed & dry matter on a food label
As fed/guaranteed: ignores 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%
What are the pros & cons of dry complete food for cats & dogs?
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
What are the pros & cons of wet complete food for cats & dogs?
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
calculate the protein % as fed & dry matter
protein as fed = 10%
Protein dry matter = (10/93)x100 = 10.7%
For what reasons might a dog or cat be receiving excess energy for their daily requirements?
poor quality diets
owners feeding too much of a diet
high fat content
additional complementary feeds
inadequate exercise
ongoing arthritis or other medical conditions
What can happen if energy fed in dog or cat diet does not meet requirements of the animal
Weight loss/malnutrition
Poor growth in young animals
Lactation failure
Poor wound healing or recovery from illness
Ongoing disease e.g., inflammatory bowel disease
Describe components of a weight loss diet for cats & dogs
Reduced calories
Reduced carbs
Added L-carnitine for fat mobilisation
Reduced dietary fat
Higher insoluble fibre
Increased exercise
Cats have increased protein
How much weight should an overweight dog or cat lose per week
dog: 3%
cat: 2%
How can diet lead to dental disease in cats & dogs
High sugar diets => cavities
Pets on a wet food only diet will acquire tartar if no brushing provided
What are the components of a dog & cat dental diet
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
How do you calculate energy density of a diet
Energy density of diet = kilo calories per can/100g
What is RER and how is it calculated
Over 2kg:
RER (kcal) = (30 x BW) + 70
2kg or less:
RER (kcal) = 70 x BW^0.75