10 - Feeding Dogs 2 Review

What is the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)?

The minimal amount of energy required each day to maintain body weight and homeostasis in specific, controlled conditions.

Under what four conditions is Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) measured?

The animal must be in a post-absorptive state, lying down but awake, in a thermoneutral environment to which it is acclimatized.

What is measured as an alternative to BMR in animals that are not in a post-absorptive state?

The resting fed metabolic rate (RFMR).

What is the Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER)?

The energy required to support energy equilibrium, where metabolizable energy intake equals heat production, over a long period.

In dogs, energy requirements are not linearly correlated with body weight but are more closely related to _____, calculated as BW

0.75.

metabolic weight

List four factors that markedly influence a dog's Daily Energy Requirement (DER).

Breed, neuter status, age, daily activity, environmental temperature, and insulative characteristics of the integument (any four).

Graphically, the Daily Energy Requirement (DER) for a population of dogs results in what shape of curve?

A bell-shaped curve.

By how much can the energy intake of individual dogs vary from the average requirement, even within the same age group?

By about 50% above or below the average.

What is the better basis for calculating energy requirements of adult dogs, which can then be adjusted with multipliers?

The Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR).

The simplified equation for basal heat production in warm-blooded animals, used before computers were common, is Y = _____.

70 × W^0.75

What is the determined mean Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) of dogs?

70 kcal/kg BW^0.75

What is the estimated Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER) of dogs in experimental kennel settings?

130 kcal/kg BW^0.75

How much less energy do pet dogs with limited exercise opportunities typically need compared to experimental dogs?

Between 10% and 20% less energy.

Feeding a caloric intake of 1.6 x BMR to a minimally active pet dog will likely result in what outcome?

The dog will be overfed and may become overweight.

What is a safer energy intake recommendation, as a multiplier of BMR, for sedentary dogs?

A recommendation of 1.2 to 1.4 x BMR.

What is the recommended energy intake, as a multiplier of BMR, for active dogs?

A recommendation of 1.6 x BMR.

Sled dogs under racing conditions may require up to _____ times their BMR to maintain body weight.

15

What assessment must be used to evaluate and adjust calculated energy needs for an individual dog?

Body condition assessment (BCS).

When ambient temperature dropped from 20 to 0°C, the MER of beagles and Labrador retrievers increased by what percentage?

20-25 percent.

After which day of gestation does the majority of a pregnant bitch's 20-25% weight increase occur?

After the 28th day of gestation

How long after mating is it recommended to start feeding extra energy for a pregnant bitch?

4 weeks after mating.

What is the recommended starting point for maintenance energy requirements (MER) during lactation?

145 kcal/kg BW^0.75

Besides breed, what two factors require adjustment of a lactating bitch's energy requirements?

Litter size and if food is offered early to the litter as a supplement.

What is the approximate energy requirement for newborn puppies?

About 25 kcal/100 g of body weight.

Growing puppies require about _____ times as much energy per unit of body weight as adult dogs of the same breed.

two

When a puppy has reached 50% of its adult body weight, it is recommended to decrease energy intake to what level?

1.6 times maintenance.

At what point in a puppy's growth is it recommended to decrease energy intake to 1.2 times maintenance?

When 80 percent of adult body weight has been reached.

What is the recommended energy density range for foods designed for active young adult dogs?

3.5 to 4.5 kcal/g dry matter (DM).

For inactive or obese-prone dogs, the energy density of food should be in what range?

3.0 to 3.5 kcal/g dry matter (DM).

What three physiological changes occur with increasing age in dogs that lead to a decline in BMR?

Lean body mass decreases, subcutaneous fat increases, and body temperature may decrease.

By around seven years of age, a dog's daily energy requirement decreases by what percentage?

12 to 13%.

What is the recommended daily energy intake for mature dogs (older than 7 years), as a multiplier of BMR?

1.4 x BMR

Under what condition may it be appropriate to feed a more energy-dense food to a very old dog?

If the dog is underweight or has inadequate energy intake.

Adding more protein to a dog's diet after amino acid requirements are met provides what known physiologic benefit?

It provides no known physiologic benefit.

Using average quality protein, what is the minimum requirement for digestible protein in dogs?

2.1 to 2.5 g digestible protein/kg BW ^0.75.

What is the recommended range for crude protein (CP) in commercial dog foods on a dry matter basis?

15-30% of dry matter.

The decrease in _____ with age is the basis for the argument that protein intake in mature dogs should be higher than for younger adults.

lean body mass

Why have some recommended reduced protein intake for dogs older than five years of age?

Because of the increased prevalence of renal pathology.

For healthy mature dogs, commercial foods containing what range of protein provide sufficient amounts?

15 to 23% DM protein.

What is the minimum recommended allowance for dietary fat in foods for normal, healthy adult dogs?

8.5% on a dry matter basis

What is the recommended range of fat in foods intended for young adult dogs?

10 to 20% on a dry matter basis.

What is the recommended range of dietary fat for obese-prone adult dogs?

7 to 10% on a dry matter basis.

For very old dogs losing weight, increasing the fat content of food improves energy intake, palatability, and _____.

protein efficiency

What are the two most important determinants of a food's energy density?

The levels of dietary fat and fiber.

What is the effect on a food's energy density as its fiber content increases?

The energy density decreases.

Obese-prone dogs may benefit from a crude fiber level of at least _____ on a dry matter basis.

10%

What common condition in mature dogs may justify an increased fiber intake?

Constipation.

What is the recommended minimum level of crude fiber in foods intended for mature dogs?

At least 2% on a dry matter basis.