Dog and cat nutrition

Define nutrition

• the process of consuming, absorbing and utilising food for the body’s growth, E, repair and overall health, involving nutrients and the study of how they impact well-being, disease and development

how many essential amino acids are there for dogs

• 10

how many essential amino acids are there for cats?

• 11

which amino acid is essential for cats but not dogs

• taurine

Why is taurine essential for cats?

• heart and eye development

what are 4 uses of amino acids?

• tissue growth + repair

• manufacture hormones + enzymes

• immune system

  • energy source

what makes protein/amino acids easier/harder to absorb and use for energy?

• the higher the biological value the easier it is

Name the 10 essential amino acids

1. phenylalanine

2. valine

3. threonine

4. typtophan

5. isoleucine

6. methionine

7. histidine

8. arginine

9. leucine

10. lysine

what is the function of phenylalanine

• neurotransmitter

what is the function of valine

• tissue repair, muscle metabolism

what is the function of threonine

• antibody function

• intestinal health

what is the function of tryptophan

• serotonin

• vit B3

• niacin

what is the function of isoleucine

• muscle metabolism

• haem production

what is the function of methionine

• tissue growth

• detoxification

• absorption zinc/Se

what is the function of histidine

• immune response

• myelin sheath

what is the function of arginine

• critical in young animals

  • detoxification in urea cycle

what is the function of leucine

• triggers protein synthesis

• muscle repair

• growth hormone

what is the function of lysine

• collagen/elastin

• hormones

• Ca absorption

• energy

• immunity

what percentage dry matter should fats be in:

1. dogs

2. cats

1. 10-20%

2. 10-30%

what are 2 functions of fats?

• absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E,K

• provide energy

what are 2 key fatty acids?

• omega 6

• omega 3

what do we get omega 6 from?

• animal fat/seeds

where do we get omega 3 from?

• ocean fish

• leafy greens

state 2 reasons why cats are obligate carnivores

• can’t synthesise taurine on their own

• can’t synthesise arachidonic acid (omega 6) - only found in animal tissue

state 6 categories of functions of essential fatty acids

1. cell structure + function

2. energy + metabolism

3. brain + vision

4. Anti-inflammatory

5. immune support

6. reproduction

State why essential fatty acids are important in the following:

1. cell structure + function

2. energy + metabolism

3. brain + vision

4. Anti-inflammatory

5. immune support

6. reproduction

1. cell membrane, barrier integrity + cell signalling

2. concentrated E, fat-soluble vitamin transport and boost metabolic rate

3. DHA is key to brain + retina

4. reduce allergies, arthritis, IBD and some cancers

5. modulation

6. benefits in dairy cows

state 5 categories of health essential fatty acids, especially omega 3s can be used in

1. dermatology

2. orthopaedics

3. neurology

4. cardiology

5. urinary health

State uses of essential fatty acids therapeutically in:

1. dermatology

2. orthopaedics

3. neurology

4. cardiology

5. urinary health

1. relieve itching, dryness, atopy, promote skin and coat quality

2. reduce pain + inflam, improve motility

3. slow cognitive decline

4. manage heart conditions, reduce arrhythmias, support weight

5. lower risk of urinary crystals in cats

do simple sugars play a large role in their diet?

• no

why do simple sugars pose as a risk in cats?

• less good at utilising it for energy, therefore stored, therefore greater risk associated with obesity

what do starches/soluble fibre do for our pets?

• build gut microbiome

• promote beneficial bacterial growth

state 6 functions of starches/soluble fibres

1. short-chain fatty acids - good for gut bacteria

2. healthy gut lining

3. immune system support

4. metabolic health + weight management

5. stool softening - absorbing water

6. resistant starch fuels the microbiota

what is the function of insoluble fibre?

1. mechanical aid in animals’s digestion

2. promotes gut motility

3. speeds transit time

4. aids weight management - slows gastric emptying, increasing satiety

5. supports anal gland health

6. controls hairballs

7. fuel for cells in colon

state the major vitamins

1. A

2. D

3. E

4. K

5. B

6. choline

7. C

state the function of vitamin A

• vision

• skin health

• immune function

• coat quality

why do cats require vitamin A from their diet?

• can’t convert plant-based beta-carotene

state the function of vitamin B

• regulates Ca + P levels

why is vitamin D required in the diet?

• can’t synthesise through skin

why must we be careful of vitamin D in cats?

• it can cause urinary disease very easily

state the function of vitamin E

• antioxidant

state the function of vitamin K

• blood clotting

  • bone metabolism

state the function of vitamins B

• energy metabolism

• enzyme function

• nervous system health

state the function of choline

• liver function

• cell membrane structure

• transmitting neurological signals

state the function of vitamin C

• antioxidant and immune system supporter

state 9 essential major minerals

1. Ca + P

2. Zinc

3. iron

4. magnesium

5. potassium

6. copper

7. selenium

8. Na

9. Cl

Outline function of the following:

1. Ca + P

2. Zinc

3. iron

4. magnesium

5. potassium

6. copper

7. selenium

8. Na

9. Cl

1. bones and teeth, muscle contraction and heart health

2. skin + wound healing, immune function and cell division

3. Hb production

4. nerve function, muscle movement, metabolism

5. fluid balance, nerves, muscle contraction

6. iron metabolism, connective tissue formatino, bone health

7. antioxidant + vit E for reducing inflamm

8. + 9 important for fluid balance and digestion

what is the regulatory body for european pet food

• FEDIAF

what is a complementary diet

• a food that can be fed in addition to another food source, it’s not COMPLETE

how do we choose food for the pet?

• determine energy + key nutritional factors

• plan feeding methods

• monitor regularly

what is the regulatory body of food in the UK?

• UK pet food - by the FSA and APHA

what must be on a pet food bag legally? (9)

1. direction + description

2. analytical constituents

3. composition

4. additives

5. vitamins

6. best before date

7. batch number

8. net weight

9. name + address

is the analytical constituents of an ‘can as fed’ food, accurate for DM?

• no - we need to eliminate water content first

are ‘can as fed’ good for cats?

• no, often have too high protein content - 40-50% when cats only need 27-29%

how do we work out the dry matter from an ‘can as fed’ tin?

1. remove the water content (e.g. if it says 80%, 20% is dry matter)

2. use the analytical constituents on the can to work out their new percentage in DM - e.g. 10% protein = 50% of the dry matter

How do we work out DM of dry food?

• we assume 7% of it is water, unless stated otherwise, this leaves us with 93% DM

• therefore (% nutrient / 93) x 100 total amount

what’s more accurate, the analytical composition on wet food or dry food?

• dry food

how do we work out the energy content of food?

((protein % x 3.5) + (carb % x 3.5) + (8.5 x fat %)) x 10= Kcal/kg food

how do we work out carbohydrate % if not given on the packet?

• 100 - (water + protein + ash+ fat) from proximate analysis on packaging

  • in dry food assume water is 10% if not stated

state 4 advantages of complete dry food

1. better for dental care

2. more nutrients

3. less food needed for E and nutritional requirements

4. convenience

state 4 disadvantages of dry complete food

1. limited fatty acid available

2. low water content

3. acceptability reduced when fed alone - possible storage mites

4. can become rancid quickly

state 4 advantages of wet complete food

1. increased acceptability, higher digestibility

2. increased water intake

3. higher animal protein source and fat depending on water content

4. longer satiety due to water

state 4 disadvantages of wet complete food

1. fewer nutrients per 100g

2. more fed for E and nutritional req

3. somewhat increased dental disease risk

4. spoils quickly and fly/bacteria risk

what are 3 feeding alternatives to complete dry/wet

• raw meaty bones

• BARF

• homemade

what are 6 diet types for cats

1. indoor

2. neutered male and female

3. skin + stomach sensitivities

4. breed specific

5. RAW

what are 7 diet types for dogs?

1. neutered male + female

2. skin + stomach sensitivities

3. active/working dog

4. vegan

5. vegetarian

6. grain free

7. breed specific

define resting energy requirement

• number of calories required for maintaining homeostasis in a thermo-neutral environment whilst at rest

state the calculation for RER for an animal >2kg, <40kg

• (30 x BW) +70

state the calculation for the RER of sniamls <2kg or >40kg

• 70 x (bodyweight)^0.75

what is daily energy requirement

• requirement for an animal in each part of its life stage

what is MER

• E required of a moderately active adult in a thermo-neutral environment, including E needed to obtain food as well as for spontaneous exercise

how do we calculate DER?

• RER x E requirement for life stage

Feeding puppies

1. age of weaning

2. age weaning should be complete?

3. what do we feed them

4. what is there multiplying factor for their RER?

5. what should we regularly assess

6. how do we know they’ve reached target adult weight

7. supplements?

8. why is raw a bad idea at this stage?

1. 4-8 weeks

2. 10 weeks

3. commercially available complete puppy diet

4. 2-3 X RER

5. BCS and weight to recalculate feeding to amtch

6. breed specific - look it up!

7. no!

8. increase risk of nutritional disease

State 4 conditions linked to feeding puppies raw diets

1. rickets

2. growth deformities

3. heart problems

4. taurine deficiency

kitten feeding:

1. when should it start

2. when should it be completed by?

3. what should we feed

4. what is the factor with their RER

5. what should we measure regularly

6. is feeding raw a good idea?

1. 4-8 weeks

2. 10 weeks

3. commercially available kitten diet

4. 2-2.5 X RER

5. BCS and weight and feed accordingly

6. NO

adult dogs:

1. what diet should we choose

2. supplementation?

3. when do we switch from puppy to adult food?

4. when do we switch to senior food?

5. what should we measure regularly

1. complete, suitable for breed size

2. none should be required

3. around 12mo, later for large breeds

4. around 7 yrs, earlier for large breeds

5. weight and BCS

adult cats;

1. diet type

2. require a higher what?

3. what 3 nutrients MUST the diet contain

4. fat levels?

5. what may insufficient taurine lead to?

1. obligate carnivore

2. biologically available animal protein source

3. taurine, arachidonic acid, vitamin A

4. low levels

5. cardiomyopathy, irreversible blindness

senior cats and dogs:

1. age change to this diet?

2. what 4 risk factors become important to manage?

3. what is the factor for MER?

4. what are dogs prone to when senior

5. what are cats prone to when senior

1. 5-7 years, breed dependent

2. renal, liver, diabetes, urinary

3. 1.4 X RER

4. weight gain

5. weight loss - muscle loss

what 7 differences should there be in senior food compared to adult?

1. avoid excessive sodium

2. highly digestible

3. excellent palatbility

4. high antioxidants

5. increased fibre

6. moderate protein intake

7. reduced phosphorus

why do we want the following changes in a senior diet?

1. avoid excessive sodium

2. highly digestible

3. excellent palatbility

4. high antioxidants

5. increased fibre

6. moderate protein intake

7. reduced phosphorus

1. more susceptible to chronic disease associated with hypertension

2. enable nutrient absorption in smaller meals and reduce waste

3. taste and smell are reduced in old patients

4. reduce free radical damage

5. promote normal intestinal motility

6. maintain lean body mass, avoid exacerbation of subclinical renal disease

7. slow progression of subclinical renal disease

A 15kg neutered dog (1.6X) is to be fed canned food diet with an energy density of 430Kcal/can.

What is the dogs RER

what is the dogs DER

How many cans should be fed per day?

1. (30 × 15) + 70 = 520 kcal

2. 520 × 1.6 = 832 kcal per 24 hours

3. 832/430 = 2 cans per day

A 700g kitten (2 X) is to be fed pouched food with an E density of 80Kcal/85g.

What is the kittens RER

what is its DER

how many pouches should be fed per day?

1. 700 × 0.7^0.75 = 53.5kcal

2. 53.5 × 2 = 107kcal per 24 hours

3. 80kcal per pouch, 107/80 = 1.33 pouches per 24 hours.

what will inadequate energy lead to? (6)

1. weight loss

2. malnutrition

3. poor growth + nutritional deficiencies

4. lactation failure

5. poor healing/recovery

6. ongoing disease

why may animals be receiving too much energy?

• poor quality diet

• owners feeding too much

• high fat content

• additional complementary feeds

• inadequate exercise

• concurrent disease

how do we calculate ideal body weight if:

1. 10% overweight

2. 20% overweight

3. 30% overweight

4. 40% overweight

1. current weight /1.1

2. /1.2

3. /1.3

4. /1.4

what are 7 ways of changing feeding for weight loss

1. reduce caloreis

2. reduce carbohydrates

3. add L-carnitine for fat mobilisation

4. reduce dietary fat

5. higher insoluble fibre

6. increased exercise within reason

7. reduce calorie + carb intake of cats, increase protein

why types of diet are particularly bad for our pets teeth?

• high sugar diets and wet food diet

what changes can we make to support patients with GI specific conditions (9)

1. increase digestibility

2. moderate fat levels

3. prebiotics

4. high level of vit B + electrolytes

5. single main protein source

6. single main car source - less so for cats

7. enrich psyllium (water solbule fibre)

8. antioxidants

9. no additives

why may we need to change the diet for GIT related conditions?

1. support damaged gut

2. encourage healing

3. slow transit time to aid absorption

4. allow easy digestion + max use of macro nutrients

cat urinary health:

1. what should their urine pH be?

2. what can we put in their diet to help prevent struvite crystals

3. what pH is associated with increased struvite risk

4. why do we need to control Mg?

5. what should we offer for cats with FLUTD risk?

6. what crystals build with age, what do we reduce to therefore help?

1. 6.2-6.4

2. P

3. higher pH

4. prevent FLUTD

5. healthy water intake

6. Ca oxalate crystals - food is reduced in building blocks of this crystal type.

how does the diet of a working dog compare to a regular dog (5)

1. more calories

2. more fat, not more protein (b/w 6-20%)

3. higher E intake in small manageable meals

4. dietary antioxidants to prevent muscle injury

5. water always available

what are 4 considerations for a feeding regime?

1. always free access to water

2. establish sensible feeding regime

3. individual behavioural aspects

4. enrichment

why are labs at greater risk of being obese?

• POMC gene!!!!!!