Animal Companion

Animal Science

What is the gestation length of dogs?

63 days

What is the gestation length of cats?

66 days

What organization established the dog breed groups in the presentation?

The American Kennel Club (AKC), established in 1881

What are the eight dog breed groups?

Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, Herding, Miscellaneous

Examples of Sporting Group

Golden Retriever and German Shorthaired Pointer

Examples of Hound Group

Bloodhound and Beagle

Examples of Working Group

Rottweiler and Siberian Husky

Examples of Terrier Group

Welsh Terrier

Examples of Toy Group

Maltese and Chihuahua

Examples of Non-Sporting Groups

Poodle and Bulldog

Example of Miscellaneous Breeds

Dogo Argentino

What are important characteristics of the Australian Cattle Dog?

• High energy and strong work drive.

• Intelligent and loyal.

• Commonly used for moving livestock.

• Born with a white coat that develops blue-gray or red coloring.

What is the Bloodhound known for?

Its strong sense of smell and ability to follow scents over long distances.

What is the Maltese known for?

Its small size, long silky coat, affectionate temperament, and low shedding.

What is the German Shorthaired Pointer known for?

Speed, endurance, agility, and working in the field or around water.

What was the Dalmatian originally bred to do?

Guard horses and coaches.

What organization is associated with cat breed recognition in the presentation, and when did it start?

The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA), established in 1906.

What are the four cat coat categories?

• Hairless

• Short hair

• Medium hair

• Long hair

What are examples of hairless cat breeds?

Sphynx, Bambino, Donskoy, and Peterbald.

What are examples of short-haired cat breeds?

Siamese, Abyssinian, Bombay, British Shorthair, and Russian Blue.

What are examples of medium-haired cat breeds?

Bengal, Manx, Javanese, and Turkish Van.

What are examples of long-haired cat breeds?

Persian, Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Birman, and Norwegian Forest Cat.

What are five common cat breeds listed in the presentation?

Persian, Maine Coon, Exotic, Siamese, and Ragdoll.

What should you consider before getting a pet?

• Food and veterinary costs.

• Work schedule and time available.

• Whether your home allows pets.

• Future housing plans.

• Grooming, allergies, activity level, and health.

What factors affect which breed is right for you?

Temperament, grooming needs, allergies, desired activities, health issues, and trainability.

Does a pet's temperament depend on its breed?

Yes. Different breeds may have different typical behaviors, energy levels, and social tendencies

What should you know about training pets?

All pets need at least basic training. Trainability varies by breed, and intelligent breeds are not always the easiest to train.

Why should you consider breed-specific health issues?

Some breeds are more likely to inherit certain genetic health problems.

What is palatability?

How much an animal likes a particular food. It can be measured with a two-pan test.

What is acceptability?

Whether an animal will eat enough food to meet its nutrient requirements. The presentation associates this with a one-pan test.

What factors affect pet food preferences?

Flavor, texture, moisture, temperature, and form.

Why must pet food be balanced?

To ensure the animal receives the right amounts of all essential nutrients when it eats enough to meet its energy needs.

Why shouldn't dogs and cats choose their own diets based only on preference?

They often choose foods based on palatability rather than their actual nutrient requirements.

What role does smell play in a dog's food preferences?

Dogs use their noses to help evaluate food, so smell influences whether they eat it.

What are the three pet food categories described in the presentation?

• Popular: Well-known brands, described as medium-to-high quality.

• Premium: High-quality foods often sold through veterinarians or pet stores.

• Private label: Store brands, described as the lowest-cost option in the presentation.

What are the advantages of dry pet food?

• Less expensive.

• Can be offered free-choice.

• May help reduce tartar buildup through its abrasive effect.

What are the disadvantages of dry pet food?

Generally lower palatability, often higher fiber and lower digestibility, and limitations on fat content due to storage stability.

What are the advantages of canned pet food?

• Highly palatable.

• Useful for picky eaters.

• Provides moisture.

• Can contain relatively high concentrations of protein and fat.

What are the disadvantages of canned pet food?

It is generally more expensive because of its high water content. Some products are supplements rather than complete, balanced diets.

What is the moisture content of canned pet food listed in the presentation?

Approximately 70–75%.

What is one benefit of amount-limited feeding?

It allows owners to monitor changes in food intake and behavior.

Why should cats not be fed dog food as their regular diet?

Dog food may not provide all the nutrients cats require. Cats have an additional dietary requirement for the amino acid taurine.

Why shouldn't dogs regularly eat cat food?

Cat food often contains more protein and fat than dogs need and is typically more expensive.

What is taurine?

An amino acid that cats must obtain in adequate amounts from their diet.

What eight items must pet food labels contain according to the presentation?

• Brand/product name and purpose.

• Animal species the food is intended for.

• Net quantity.

• Guaranteed Analysis.

• Ingredient statement.

• Nutritional Adequacy Statement.

• Feeding directions.

• Manufacturer's name and address.

What is the 95% rule?

For products named primarily after an ingredient, the named ingredient must make up at least 95% of the product, excluding water and condiments. The presentation also describes a 70% minimum when counting the total product.

What is the 3% or “with” rule?

A product named “Dog Food with Beef” must contain at least 3% beef under the rule described in the presentation.

What is the flavor rule?

A food labeled with a flavor, such as “beef flavor,” must contain enough of the ingredient or flavoring to make that flavor detectable. No specific percentage is required in the presentation.

In what order are ingredients listed on pet food labels?

In order of inclusion in the diet, with ingredients listed from greatest to least amount by weight.