Feeding Dogs and cats: Maintenance, repro, and senior

What are the adult stages of feeding?

Young adult (repro age)

Mature adult

Senior/geriatric

What are the stages of a cats life?

Kitten (up to 1 year)

Adult (1-6)

Mature adult (7-11)

Senior (11+)

What are the stages of a dogs life?

Puppy (up to 1)

Adult (1-7)

Mature adult (7+)

T/F adulthood is a risk factor for obesity?

True

How do you calculate maintenance DER?

Factor x RER

How do you calculate RER?

70 x BW^0.75

What factor for DER do you use in a neutered adult?

1.6

What factor for DER do you use in a intact adult?

1.8

What factor for DER do you use in a inactive/obese prone?

1.2-1.4

What factor for DER do you use in a neutered adult CAT?

1.2-1.4

What factor for DER do you use in a intact adult CAT?

1.4-1.6

What factor for DER do you use in a inactive/obese prone CAT?

1.0

How much more protein do adult cats need compared to dogs?

2x

Why do cats need so much more protein?

Main fuel is protein for glucokinase and those enzymes are continuously active

Need taurine from diet and that is not in plants

Why do cats not need many carbs?

Active liver hexokinase

Limited liver glucokinase

and NO fructokinase

What is taurine needed for?

Conjugated bile acids, retinal, cardiac, neuro, repro, platelet functions

What is high in taurine?

Animal viscera, muscle, brain

What are some essential nutrient requirements for feline?

Arginine

Arachidonic acid

Pre-formed Vit A (cannot convert)

Niacin

Pyridoxine (B6)

Vit D

What are advantages of free choice feeding in cats?

Mimics natural feeding behavior of cats

What are the disadvantages of free choice feeding?

Overconsumption difficult to monitor appetite

What is the advantages of a meal fed cat?

Human-animal bond

Control of food dosage and body weight

What are the disadvantages of meal fed cats?

Less convenient

Large meals may result in vomiting

T/F you should regularly monitor BCS, BW and general health?

True

When should you change food to a mature adult?

5 years for large dogs

7 years for small dogs and cats

What are some changes in organ systems with age?

DJD, obesity, heart disease, dental disease, sensory functions, renal insufficiency, appetite fluctuations, cognitive disorders

What are the nutritional concerns in a mature adult?

Inactivity and lower basal metabolic rate leads to obesity

Decreased lean body mass and increased fat mass

Decreased ability to digest food

More antioxidants needed
Excess phosphorus can cause renal disease

Excess sodium worsens hypertension

What happens to dog energy requirement at age 7%?

Decreases by 25%

What happens to cat energy requirements over time?

Decreases for a while and thin increases late in age

Why do we get skinny cat syndrome in old age?

1/3 of cats 12 and older have fat digestibility <80% and decreased absorption of Vit A and E

At 14 years or older <77% protein digestibility

What is sarcopenia?

Muscle loss with no disease, common with aging

What are the causes of sarcopenia?

Decreased protein synthesis, increased cytokines, decreased hormonal concentrations, decreased activity, muscle atrophy, decreased nutrient absorption

T/F the cause of muscle wasting is multifactorial and increasing dietary protein alone does not help?

True

What happened to the median life span by lean-feeding pets?

2 years

What effect does being lean-fed have on chronic conditions?

Onset is later

What is the goal for feeding a mature adult?

Maintain health and BCS of 4-5/9

Slow/prevent development of disease

Minimize clinical signs of existing disease

When should proper feeding start for repro animals?

During growth, prior to breeding

When should you postpone breeding?

If BCS < or equal to 3/9

What are the objectives while feeding a repro diet?

Optimize conception and size of litter

Optimize viability of offspring

When are carbs most important?

During pregnancy

What are consequences of underfeeding?

Small litter size, low birth weight

Increased neonatal morbidity and mortality

Decreasd milk yield, immunity, response to vaccination

Decreased fertility

Hair loss and weight loss

What are consequences of overfeeding during repro?

Decreased ovulation and fertility

Small litters

What does zinc deficiency cause during repro?

Fetal resorption and smaller litters

What does decreased Iron and B-Vt cause during repro?

Decreased immunity and response to vaccination

What does vitamin A excess cause during repro?

Congenital abnormalities

Smaller litters

What does vitamin D excess cause during repro?

Soft-tissue calcification

What can happen to appetite during estrus?

Decreas

What should you feed during breeding?

Canine: maintenance

Feline: growth and gestation/lactation or gestation/lactation

What should you feed a dog during gestation?

First 4 weeks maintenance

Growth and gestation/lactation last 5 weeks (2.2-3.5 x RER)

What should you feed a cat during gestation?

Growth and gestation/lactation at mating

Linear increase in BW throughout gestation

When should mammary gland development occur?

1-5 days before parturition

What happens to appetite during whelping?

Decreases 24-48 hr prior and returns within 24 hours postpartum

What are the goals of feeding during lactation?

Feed to maintain optimal BW and BCS

Energy needs determined by size of litter

4-5x maintenance

When does milk production peak?

3-4 weeks

What is the goal of weaning?

Alleviate mammary discomfort

What should you do the day before weaning?

Separate dam from puppies

Withould food during day

Reunite at night but without all food

What should you do on the day of weaning?

Completely wean

Gradually transition to adult maintenance food and DER

Provide free choice water

Monitor for mastitis

Why do you need adequate Ca during lactatioN?

Prevent eclampsia

T/F free choice feed during lactation?

True