Strand 9 Energy: How Companion Animals Fuel Life

Energy

The 'currency' used by animals to perform vital functions such as breathing, moving, and maintaining body temperature.

Macronutrients

Substances in food that provide energy: fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.

Usable fuel

A helpful way to conceptualize energy provided by food, captured during metabolism.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate, the immediate energy currency within cells.

Energy density

The amount of energy (calories) contained in a specific weight or volume of food.

Body weight and condition

Energy management is closely tied to the animal's body weight and condition status (underweight, ideal, overweight).

Life stage success

The effectiveness of energy intake in supporting growth, reproduction, and healthy aging.

Performance and behavior

Energy influences activity levels, endurance, and working ability in companion animals.

Digestible energy (DE)

Energy that is available to the body after accounting for energy lost in feces.

Metabolizable energy (ME)

The portion of energy available to the animal after subtracting urinary and gaseous energy losses from DE.

Net energy (NE)

The energy remaining after accounting for heat produced during metabolism and digestion.

Gross energy (GE)

The total energy contained in food, usually measured by combustion in a bomb calorimeter.

Calorie (cal)

The energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 °C.

Kilocalorie (kcal)

A unit of energy equal to 1000 calories; commonly used in pet nutrition.

Nutrient requirements

Daily energy needs and how they vary based on life stage and activity level.

Resting energy requirement (RER)

The energy needed for basic body functions at rest; calculated using body weight.

Maintenance energy requirement (MER)

Daily energy needed, estimated by multiplying RER by a factor reflecting activity level.

Nitrogen-free extract (NFE)

An estimate of digestible carbohydrates calculated by difference in a proximate analysis.

Energy management

The art and science of balancing energy intake with expenditure to maintain ideal body condition.

Body Condition Score (BCS)

A system used to evaluate the fat coverage and overall body condition of an animal.

Thermic effect of food

The energy cost of digesting and metabolizing food, affecting net energy availability.

Underfeeding risks

Potential negative consequences like poor growth and decreased immune function in growing animals.

Overfeeding risks

Excessive fat gain may occur, particularly in growing or elderly animals.

High fiber diets

More complex than often assumed; some fibers can provide energy through fermentation.

Caloric needs in aging animals

Elderly animals may need fewer calories, necessitating diet formulation adjustments.

Feeding guides

General recommendations based on average needs but may not fit every individual animal.

Energy balance

A comparison of energy intake vs. expenditure, influencing weight gain, loss, or maintenance.

Feeding calculations

A combination of estimating energy needs and translating those into practical feeding amounts.

Wet food vs dry food

Different energy densities due to water content; helps explain portion size differences.

Caloric density

Measured in kcal/kg or kcal/cup, influenced by the food's water and fat content.

Energy partitioning

The breakdown of total energy into gross, digestible, metabolizable, and net energy.

Converted energy measures

Energy may be expressed differently (calories or joules); conversions may be required.

Life stage requirements

Energy needs vary significantly across life stages, affecting feeding strategies.

Treat calories as a percentage

Important for managing total daily intake; treats can contribute significantly to total calories.

Maintenance vs production energy

Breakdown of energy requirements for basic maintenance compared to additional functions like growth.

Environmental effects on energy needs

External conditions, like temperature or housing, can impact animals' energy requirements.

RER calculation

A formula to calculate resting energy needs based on body weight.

Predictive equations

Used for estimating energy needs based on general population averages.

Fiber's role in digestion

While often considered non-nutritive, fiber can be important for energy and gastrointestinal health in certain species.

Health implications of poor energy management

Inadequate or excessive energy intake can lead to diseases or obesity-related issues.

Behavioral health and energy intake

Energy levels affect overall behavior and activity, crucial in animal management.

Caloric requirements during lactation

Energy needs are significantly increased during lactation, necessitating higher caloric intakes.

Caloric conversion importance

Understanding kcal vs. kcal/kg and the significance of appropriate numeric expressions in feeding.

Atwater factors

Modified estimates for energy content in pet foods based on typical digestibility rather than strict values.

Calculated vs. measured energy

Differences exist between calculated values based on macronutrient breakdown and those obtained from direct measurement.