9 - Feeding Dogs Review

By what taxonomic classification are dogs categorized?

Carnivores, belonging to the order Carnivora.

Why is taxonomic classification in the order Carnivora not conclusive proof that dogs must eat a strictly meat-based diet?

The order Carnivora also includes species that are strict herbivores, such as pandas.

The nearest ancestors of domestic dogs are wolves (Canis lupus) and close relatives such as _____.

coyotes (Canis latrans)

What dietary strategy do both wolves and coyotes employ?

They are opportunistic predators and scavengers, hunting and eating what is regionally available.

What food source, besides prey animals, is consumed by wolves and coyotes, supporting the idea that dogs are omnivores?

They eat plant matter such as fruits, berries, persimmons, mushrooms, and melons.

How is partially digested vegetable material a normal part of a wild canid's diet?

They typically consume the viscera of their herbivorous prey.

What are the functions of a dog's two main types of teeth?

They have cutting canine teeth for ripping and tearing, and molar teeth with large occlusal tables for crushing.

The canine stomach is adapted to expand markedly, allowing wild canids to eat what type of meals?

They typically eat large meals infrequently due to intermittent food availability.

The canine stomach can hold between 1 to 9 liters of food, depending on what factor?

The breed of the dog.

What percentage of dogs are estimated to overeat and become overweight if allowed to eat ad libitum (free choice)?

Approximately 30-40 percent.

What are the recommended feeding frequencies for growing puppies?

They should be fed either free-choice or 2 to 3 times a day.

What is the minimum feeding frequency required for a normal adult dog to maintain optimal health?

Normal adult dogs can maintain optimal health even if fed only one meal a day.

The small intestine comprises about _____% of the total gastrointestinal (GI) volume in dogs.

23

What is the ratio of gastrointestinal (GI) tract length to total body length in dogs?

6:1

How does the dog's GI tract to body length ratio (6:1) compare to that of cats (4:1) and rabbits (10:1)?

It is intermediate, consistent with an omnivorous diet of intermediate digestibility.

What enzymes allow dogs to digest starch effectively?

Pancreatic enzymes and mucosal disaccharidases.

A diet of only ground beef is deficient in which crucial mineral needed for bone health?

Calcium.

How does the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of ground beef (1:20) compare to a dog's required ratio (1:1-2:1)?

It is far too low in calcium relative to phosphorus.

A diet of just meat (muscle) is nutritionally incomplete because it ignores the different nutrient composition of what?

The whole carcass, which includes bones, organs, and viscera.

How do the number of amylase gene copies differ between dogs and their wolf ancestors?

Wolves have 2 copies, while dogs have between 4 and 30 copies, indicating better starch digestion.

Because dogs have a higher requirement for animal protein than many omnivores but can digest plants, they are sometimes described as '_____ carnivores' or 'opportunistic omnivores'.

facultative

What is the concept of 'life stage nutrition'?

It is the practice of feeding animals foods designed to meet their optimal nutritional needs at a specific age or physiologic state.

What is the main nutritional issue with 'all life stages' foods?

Nutrients are added at levels to meet the highest potential need (like growth), which may be excessive for other life stages (like maintenance).

List the four primary life stages or physiologic states targeted by life stage nutrition.

Growth, Maintenance, Reproduction/Lactation, and Senior.

What is the primary risk of feeding homemade dog foods that have not been formulated by a canine nutrition expert?

There are no assurances that they will provide adequate nutrition or that all ingredients are safe.

What four components should be part of a structured patient assessment for nutritional planning?

Obtaining histories, reviewing the medical record, conducting a physical exam, and evaluating lab results.

What is the term for the body condition assessment tool used in a dog's physical examination?

Body condition score (BCS).

What information should be included in a minimum dietary database for any canine patient?

Food type (commercial/homemade), brand names, supplements/treats, and feeding method (free choice/meal).

What factor accounts for nearly all of an animal's resting energy requirement (RER)?

Lean body mass.

Neutering may not markedly impact a female dog's resting energy expenditure, but it can significantly increase her _____.

food intake

A decrease in what behavior, especially in male dogs, is assumed to contribute to weight gain after neutering?

A decrease in physical activity, particularly roaming.

Why is it important to determine a dog's breed during nutritional assessment?

Different breeds may be at risk for specific diseases or have different daily energy requirements (DER).

Which dog breed is known to have energy requirements about 20% less than average?

Newfoundland dogs.

Great Danes and Terriers are examples of breeds that may have energy requirements up to _____% higher than average.

60

A dog's daily energy requirement (DER) can range from its resting energy requirement (RER) for sedentary dogs to almost _____ times RER for extreme endurance athletes.

15

Why should initial feeding recommendations for a pet dog be conservative?

To avoid overfeeding and the risk of obesity, as individual activity levels are often not precisely known.

Greyhounds are considered _____ athletes, while sled dogs are considered _____ athletes.

sprint, endurance

What five environmental factors influence a dog's energy and nutrient requirements?

Temperature, humidity, type of housing, level of stress, and degree of acclimatization.

What three physical characteristics of a dog interact with the environment to affect its daily energy requirement (DER)?

Insulative characteristics of skin and coat (subcutaneous fat, hair length, coat density), stature, and behavior/activity.

When kept outside in cold weather, a dog's energy needs may increase by what percentage range?

10 to 90 percent.

What is the 'lower critical temperature' for an animal?

It is the ambient temperature at which heat losses are minimal, and the animal does not need to expend extra energy to stay warm.

What is the estimated lower critical temperature for shorthaired dog breeds?

20 to 25ºC (68 to 77ºF)

For arctic breeds, the lower critical temperature may be as low as _____.

10 to 15ºC (50 to 59ºF)

While energy expenditure to dissipate heat is relatively small, what nutrient requirement increases at temperatures above the thermoneutral zone?

Water.

How does high humidity affect a dog's tolerance for high ambient temperatures?

It severely reduces tolerance; dogs became poikilothermic at 33ºC (91ºF) in moist air but could tolerate 56ºC (133ºF) in dry air.