11 - Feeding Dogs 3 Review

What is the generally recommended “ideal” calcium to phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio for animals with simple stomachs?

The ideal ratio is considered to be between 1:1 and 2:1.

How does increasing the dietary concentration of calcium affect the absorption of phosphorus?

Increasing dietary calcium decreases the absorption of phosphorus.

A dog food that is grossly deficient in calcium but adequate in phosphorus can cause what medical condition?

It can cause secondary hyperparathyroidism.

What is the typical range of true calcium absorption in dogs, and what factors does it depend on?

The absorption may range from 25% to 90%, depending on the dog's calcium status, the calcium's form, and intake amount.

What are the current AAFCO (2007) canine recommendations for calcium percentage (on a dry matter basis) for growth/reproduction?

The recommendation is 1.0% DM for growth and reproduction.

What are the current AAFCO (2007) canine recommendations for calcium percentage (on a dry matter basis) for adult maintenance?

The recommendation is 0.6% DM for adult maintenance.

The AAFCO calcium requirement for dogs is based on a food with what specific energy density?

The requirement is based on an energy density of 3.5 kcal/g metabolizable energy (ME).

Why should dog foods with increased energy densities have proportionally more calcium?

To account for the decreased total volume of food consumed.

Animal-based by-product meals such as poultry by-product meal, lamb meal, and fish meal are good sources of calcium due to their _____ content.

bone

Are grains, such as corn and rice, considered good or poor sources of calcium for dogs?

Grains are generally poor sources of calcium.

How do soybean meal and flaxseed compare to meat meals and grains in terms of calcium content?

Their calcium content is between that of meat meals and grains.

An all-meat diet devoid of bones is a very poor source of which essential mineral?

Calcium.

What is the AAFCO growth allowance for calcium and phosphorus percentages (DM) and the resulting ratio?

1.0% calcium and 0.8% phosphorus, for a ratio of 1.25:1.

What is the AAFCO adult maintenance allowance for calcium and phosphorus percentages (DM) and the resulting ratio?

0.6% calcium and 0.5% phosphorus, for a ratio of 1.2:1.

During the first two trimesters of gestation, a bitch's calcium and phosphorus needs are similar to those for what other life stage?

The needs are similar to those for maintenance of young adults.

By approximately what percentage do a bitch's requirements for calcium and phosphorus increase during the last part of gestation?

The requirements increase by roughly 60%.

What is the AAFCO (2007) minimum allowance for calcium (% DM) in foods intended for late gestation and peak lactation?

The AAFCO minimum allowance is 1% (DM).

Excessive calcium intake during a bitch's pregnancy may decrease parathyroid gland activity and predispose her to what condition during lactation?

Eclampsia.

What is the recommended range for calcium (% DM) in a food for a pregnant bitch?

The recommended range is 1.0 to 1.7% DM.

What is the recommended range for phosphorus (% DM) in a food for a pregnant bitch?

The recommended range is 0.7 to 1.3% DM.

What is the recommended calcium-phosphorus ratio for a food fed during a bitch's pregnancy?

The recommended ratio is 1.1:1 to 2:1.

The calcium:phosphorus ratio in a bitch's milk is consistently maintained around what value throughout lactation?

The ratio is consistently maintained around 1.3:1.

During which weeks of lactation do plasma calcium levels in bitches tend to decrease, even without clinical eclampsia?

During the third and fourth week of lactation.

During peak lactation, a bitch needs how many times more calcium than for adult maintenance?

A bitch needs 2 to 5 times more calcium.

When is calcium supplementation NOT recommended during a bitch's gestation or lactation?

Supplementation is not recommended when appropriately balanced commercial foods are fed.

Is osteoporosis considered a clinical problem in mature dogs?

No, osteoporosis is not considered a clinical problem in mature dogs.

What is the most likely cause of calcium deficiency in mature dogs?

Feeding unbalanced homemade foods.

What is the recommended range for calcium (% DM) in foods for mature dogs (7 years or older)?

The recommended range is 0.4 to 0.8% DM calcium.

For mature dogs, the calcium:phosphorus ratio should not be less than what value?

The ratio should not be less than 1:1.

Why is it generally unnecessary to add calcium-phosphorus supplements to commercial dog foods?

Commercial foods contain adequate and sometimes excessive amounts of phosphorus.

Phosphorus from plant ingredients is often less bioavailable due to the presence of what compound?

Phytate (or phytate phosphorus).

For a substantial part of the dog population, higher phosphorus levels are contraindicated due to the prevalence of subclinical _____ disease.

kidney

What is the recommended range of phosphorus (% DM) for foods intended for young adult dogs?

The recommended range is 0.4 to 0.8% DM.

What effect did decreased phosphorus levels have on dogs with advanced renal disease?

It slowed the progression and reduced the severity of the disease, improving survival time.

What is the recommended range of phosphorus (% DM) for foods intended for mature dogs?

The recommended range is 0.3 to 0.7% DM phosphorus.

While higher sodium intake is not considered harmful in young, healthy dogs, it is prudent to meet but not greatly exceed requirements because one study suggests up to what percentage of dogs may have high blood pressure?

Up to 10% of apparently healthy dogs.

What is the recommended daily sodium intake for adult dog maintenance, expressed in mg/kg of body weight?

Generally, 25 to 50 mg/kg body weight/day is recommended.

For risk factor management in adult dogs, what is the recommended range for dietary sodium (% DM)?

The recommended range is 0.2 to 0.4% DM.

In the absence of established chloride requirements, what value is recommended relative to the sodium requirement?

A chloride level 1.5 times the sodium requirement is recommended.

High sodium chloride intake may be harmful in mature dogs with what type of diseases?

Diseases that have a hypertensive component (e.g., obesity, chronic renal disease, heart disease)

For risk factor management, what is the recommended range for dietary sodium (% DM) in foods for mature dogs?

The recommended range is 0.15 to 0.4% DM.

What are the three functions of antioxidants mentioned in the text?

They scavenge free radicals, minimize free radical production, and bind metal ions.

Why are combinations of antioxidants generally more effective than individual antioxidants?

They are more effective in relieving oxidative stress.

Which two antioxidant vitamins are described as acting synergistically?

Vitamin C and Vitamin E.

How does Vitamin C act synergistically with Vitamin E?

Vitamin C regenerates Vitamin E after it has reacted with a free radical.

For improved antioxidant performance, foods for adult dogs should contain at least _____ IU vitamin E/kg (DM).

400

For improved antioxidant performance, what is the minimum recommended level of vitamin C (mg/kg DM) for adult dog foods?

At least 100 mg vitamin C/kg (DM).

What is the recommended range for selenium (mg/kg DM) in adult dog foods for improved antioxidant performance?

The recommended range is 0.5 to 1.3 mg selenium/kg (DM).

Cognitive dysfunction, which is responsive to antioxidants, was shown to affect what percentage of dogs between 11 and 12 years of age?

It affects 28% of dogs between 11 and 12 years of age.

Cognitive dysfunction, which is responsive to antioxidants, was shown to affect what percentage of dogs between 15 and 16 years of age?

It affects 68% of dogs between 15 and 16 years old.

For improved antioxidant performance, foods for aging dogs should contain at least _____ IU vitamin E/kg (DM).

1,100

What is the minimum recommended amount of vitamin C (mg/kg DM) for aging dogs' food to improve antioxidant performance?

At least 150 mg vitamin C/kg (DM).