Species Differences
compared with humans, cats and dogs have more sensitive smell and less sensitive taste, have more acidic stomach pH, have no salivary amylase, have much higher requirements for protein relative to energy in teh diet, have a reduced gut length to body length ratio, have a reduced ability to digest plant proteins and starch, are lactose intolerant.
Compared with dogs, cats lack molars and jaw lacks grinding action. They need smaller and moe egular meals with a diet high in protein and typically use amino acids to supply glucose. They lack the ability to synthesise key intermediate compound (ornithine) in urea cycle, taurine from cysteine (nerve function), niacin from tryptophan (metabolic activity), retinal from beta carotenes (vision and gene regulation) and arachidonic acid from alpha linoleic acid and as such these compounds must be provided by the diet.
Dog Protein Requirements
Cat Protein Requirements
Taurine.
Neurotransmiter and neuromodulator in CNS and required for normal heart and retinal function. Meat and offal (partiularly heart) is a good source and is an essential nutrient for cats which is derived from cysteine in dogs. High fat diets increase the need for taurine as it isconjugated to bile salts with incomplete recovering from GIT. Deficiency resultsin loss of nrve function including impaired brain development, heart (feline dilated cardiomyopathy) and eye function (central retinal degeneration) some dog breeds (cocker spaniels and golden retrievers) may benefit from supplementation.
Carbohydrate metabolism
in dogs blood glucose homeostasis is primarily responsive to glucose concentrations with glucogenesis from carbohydrates, amino acids and glycerol. In cats, blood glucose homeostasis is responsive to gluconeogenic amino acids and glucose, Gluconeogenesis is primarily from amino acids and glycerol.
Indigestible carbohydrates (fibre) are not digested and absorbed in the small intestine with some limited fermentation in hindgut of cats and dogs to yield fatty acids, gas and MO's. It is useful for softening stools and normalising osmotic balance in gut and promoting feelings of satiety for weight management and is used to form firm (acceptble) stools for recovery by pet owners and is also associated with improved gut health and immune function.
Fats Oils and Lipids
In nurtion, the term lipid generally refers to fatty componud involved in metabolic processes post digestion and absorption and are an important source of energy for cats and dogs during starvation and dogs undergoing endurance activities/heavy work. They provide recurosor for the production of structural material of cells and tissues divided into lipid clases. They also provide precursors for hormones and hormone like moecules and serve for epidermal barrier functions.
Essential Lipids
(Omega 3 and Omega 6 Fatty Acids)
• Omega 6 Fatty Acids
– α-Linoleic acid (18:2n-6) required for skin health, membrane fluidity and precursor to arachidonic acid in dogs, but not cats
– Arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) required for membrane fluidity, cellular signalling and for the synthesis of cytokines, eicosanoids and prostaglandins, modulator of steroid production and essential for cats
• Omega 3 Fatty Acids
– α-Linolenic acid (18:3n-3) required for skin health, membrane fluidity and as a precursor for DHA and EPA in cats and dogs
– EPA (20:5n-3) required for membrane fluidity, cellular signalling, retinal and nervous tissue development and for the synthesis of cytokines, eicosanoids and prostaglandins (possibly essential)
– DHA (22:6n-3) required for membrane fluidity and retinal and nervous tissue development (possibly essential)
EPA (20:5n-3) or Eicosapentaenoic acid
DHA (22:6n-3) or Docosahexaenoic acid
Calcium and Vitamin D (cholecalciferol/Vit. D3 and ergocalciferol/Vit. D2)
• Vitamin D enhances intestinal absorption of Ca2+, calcium retention and bone deposition of calcium and phosphorus.
• Also controls Ca2+ transport in to cells.
• Sunlight: not an efficient source of Vitamin D for dogs and cats so need a dietary source
• Deficiency of calcium and vitamin D shows up as:
• Young animals: ricketts, enlarged costochondral junctions
• Mature Animals: osteomalacia (soft bones) and osteoporosis (porous and brittle bones)
• Consuming diets too high in calcium and/or vitamin D can lead to changes in growth plates in bones (osteochondritis dissecans/cracks between articular cartilage and underlying subchondral bone) in puppies (particularly large breeds)
Vitamin B3 (niacin/nicotinic acid), Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), Vitamin A (retinol/retinal),
Dog
• Can synthesize nicotinic acid (Vit B3) from tryptophan
• Pyridoxine (Vit B6) require dietary source • Can synthesize Vitamin A (retinol/retinoic acid) from β-carotene
Cat
• Cannot synthesize nicotinic acid (Vit B3) from tryptophan
• Pyridoxine (Vit B6) require 5 x dog
• Cannot synthesize Vitamin A (retinol/retinoic acid) from β-carotene
Meet Water Requirements
• Aim is to maintain water balance
• Two sources – Water derived from metabolism – Water consumed in food or as drinking water
• Dogs and cats meet most of water requirements through food and drinking fresh water – Thirst usually ensures adequate consumption given an adequate supply of fresh water, but cats should have a supply of fresh water next to food bowl to promote fluid intake. – Cats fed dried food have lower water turnover than cats fed canned or moist food
• Cats are adapted to dry climates and produce more concentrated urine that dogs
Pet Food Labelling: Ingredients
• Listed in order by weight of inclusion
• Weight of inclusion is determined by weight of ingredient prior to processing (e.g., fresh meat with a high water content maybe listed first while fat with a higher energy content but little or no water may be listed lower down list)
• Different forms of ingredients can be listed separately (use nutritional knowledge developed with time and experience)
Home Prepared Foods and Treats
• Some issues to be aware of:
• Owner feels empowered (take care to respect this!)
• Allows use of locally cheap feed ingredients
• Can tailor diet to suit owners attitudes and preferences or meet “specific” nutritional needs of animal
• Deficiencies and excesses in essential and non essential nutrients, e.g., Ca:P, arachidonic acid, vitamins A and D and taurine in particular for cats
• Raw ingredients can contain anti-nutritional factors:
• Avidin in egg white binds biotin (Vit B7 - a carboxylase enzyme/carboxyl group)
• Thiaminase in many fish species depletes thiamine (Vit B1 - energetic decarboxylation/nerve function)
• Preservation issues/microbial overgrowth/rancidity of fats
• Toxic ingredients
• Onion and garlic - haemolytic anaemia (Heinz bodies in erthrocytes/denatured methaemoglobin)
• Chocolate (particularly dark) - theobromine (Theobroma sp. or Cacao plant) is an alkaloid (can affect cellular signal transduction and energy metabolism with symptoms being heart arrhythmia, tremors)
Bones and Raw Food Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (or BARF)
• Purported benefits (evidence lacking and/or anecdotal):
• Improved skin, coat and dental health
• Elimination of breath, body and faecal odours
• Improved immune function
• Management/prevention of allergies
• Improved behaviour/activity
• Reduced disease burden
• Some issues to be aware of (supporting evidence available):
• Sensitivity to client attitude advised
• Nutrient balance problems
• Preservation issues/microbial overgrowth
• Increased risk of pathogens, e.g., Salmonella and Campylobacter from raw ingredients
• Increased risk of GIT obstruction, perforation and fractured teeth
Food Hygiene
• Canned food:
• Discard uneaten food after 2 hours
• Store in refrigerator up to 5 days
• Dry Food
• Stored in resealable container in cool dry environment
• Spoilage
• Check food for signs of spoilage before feeding
• Hygiene:
• Wash utensils and feeding area with soap and water
Energy Terminology
• Units (commonly used in nutrition)
– 1 calorie = 4.18 joules 1 joule = 0.24 calories 1 MJ = 1,000,000 joules
• Resting Energy Requirement (RER) = Energy requirements of a fed animal at rest in a thermoneutral environment.
• This measure is typically used in determining energy requirements of dogs and cats in care.
• Daily Energy Requirement (DER) = Average daily energy expenditure of a cat or dog dependent upon stage of life, physiological state and activity.
• This measure includes all energy expended for maintenance of essential functions as well as activity, growth, gestation and lactation.
Factors to Consider when Calculating Daily Energy Requirements of Dogs and Cats
• Nutritional needs vary according to:
– Activity
– Life Stage (growing, mature, senior, pregnant, lactating)
– Body condition – Gender and neuter status
– Environment
– Breed
– Health status
Determining Energy Requirements: Activity/Lifestyle
• Dogs
– Most pet dogs are sedentary so energy needs are minimal above RER (1.2 to 1.4 × RER)
– Dogs kennelled/kept with other dogs are more active (say 2 × RER)
– Elite athletes (working dogs, sled dogs) can use 5 to 11 times RER to support activity
Assessment of Body Condition in Cats and Dogs
Typically a 5 point scale
• Assess body shape from above and side profile
• Above: waste ranges from obvious presence to total absence (hour glass to pear shape); vertebral processes range from prominent (particularly tail base in dogs) to having thick cover of fat; width of back ranges from narrow to broad)
• Side profile: ribs range from easily palpable with no fat cover to difficult to feel with thick fat cover; waste ranges from obvious abdominal tuck to pendulous fatty ventral bulge in animals over 6 months of age
• Consistency of scoring and relative change in BCS more important than arguing over a particular number (no point in unnecessarily upsetting a client or colleague)
Feeding Guidelines
• Feeding guidelines are based on average requirements determined for a life stage
• Actual requirements will vary considerably according to individual animal differences
• With training and experience you will get to know the potential benefits and issues with particular branded pet foods
• Use your nutritional knowledge to determine appropriateness of feed and dose rate in order to formulate your recommendation
• Be prepared to adjust your recommendation based on changes in the animal’s liveweight and/or body condition and the owners needs
Learn More
Cram.Com: Animal Nutrition Quiz
Questions
compared with humans, cats and dogs have more sensitive smell and less sensitive taste, have more acidic stomach pH, have no salivary amylase, have much higher requirements for protein relative to energy in teh diet, have a reduced gut length to body length ratio, have a reduced ability to digest plant proteins and starch, are lactose intolerant.
Compared with dogs, cats lack molars and jaw lacks grinding action. They need smaller and moe egular meals with a diet high in protein and typically use amino acids to supply glucose. They lack the ability to synthesise key intermediate compound (ornithine) in urea cycle, taurine from cysteine (nerve function), niacin from tryptophan (metabolic activity), retinal from beta carotenes (vision and gene regulation) and arachidonic acid from alpha linoleic acid and as such these compounds must be provided by the diet.
Dog Protein Requirements
- protein catabolism adjusts with protein content of diet
- high protein requirement for growth and maintenance compared with humans
- arginine not essential for urea cycle but helps preventdisease,
- taurin is non-essential in diet as is derived from cysteine
- sulphur amino acid requirement is similar to other mammals
Cat Protein Requirements
- protein catabolism does not adjust with protein content of diet
- higher protein requirement for goroth and maintenace compared with dogs
- arginine (or ornithine) is essential for urea cycle
- taurine is essential in diet as cats cannot convert cysteine to taurin
- high dietary sulpur amino aci requirement relatve to other mammals
Taurine.
Neurotransmiter and neuromodulator in CNS and required for normal heart and retinal function. Meat and offal (partiularly heart) is a good source and is an essential nutrient for cats which is derived from cysteine in dogs. High fat diets increase the need for taurine as it isconjugated to bile salts with incomplete recovering from GIT. Deficiency resultsin loss of nrve function including impaired brain development, heart (feline dilated cardiomyopathy) and eye function (central retinal degeneration) some dog breeds (cocker spaniels and golden retrievers) may benefit from supplementation.
Carbohydrate metabolism
in dogs blood glucose homeostasis is primarily responsive to glucose concentrations with glucogenesis from carbohydrates, amino acids and glycerol. In cats, blood glucose homeostasis is responsive to gluconeogenic amino acids and glucose, Gluconeogenesis is primarily from amino acids and glycerol.
Indigestible carbohydrates (fibre) are not digested and absorbed in the small intestine with some limited fermentation in hindgut of cats and dogs to yield fatty acids, gas and MO's. It is useful for softening stools and normalising osmotic balance in gut and promoting feelings of satiety for weight management and is used to form firm (acceptble) stools for recovery by pet owners and is also associated with improved gut health and immune function.
Fats Oils and Lipids
In nurtion, the term lipid generally refers to fatty componud involved in metabolic processes post digestion and absorption and are an important source of energy for cats and dogs during starvation and dogs undergoing endurance activities/heavy work. They provide recurosor for the production of structural material of cells and tissues divided into lipid clases. They also provide precursors for hormones and hormone like moecules and serve for epidermal barrier functions.
Essential Lipids
(Omega 3 and Omega 6 Fatty Acids)
• Omega 6 Fatty Acids
– α-Linoleic acid (18:2n-6) required for skin health, membrane fluidity and precursor to arachidonic acid in dogs, but not cats
– Arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) required for membrane fluidity, cellular signalling and for the synthesis of cytokines, eicosanoids and prostaglandins, modulator of steroid production and essential for cats
• Omega 3 Fatty Acids
– α-Linolenic acid (18:3n-3) required for skin health, membrane fluidity and as a precursor for DHA and EPA in cats and dogs
– EPA (20:5n-3) required for membrane fluidity, cellular signalling, retinal and nervous tissue development and for the synthesis of cytokines, eicosanoids and prostaglandins (possibly essential)
– DHA (22:6n-3) required for membrane fluidity and retinal and nervous tissue development (possibly essential)
EPA (20:5n-3) or Eicosapentaenoic acid
DHA (22:6n-3) or Docosahexaenoic acid
Calcium and Vitamin D (cholecalciferol/Vit. D3 and ergocalciferol/Vit. D2)
• Vitamin D enhances intestinal absorption of Ca2+, calcium retention and bone deposition of calcium and phosphorus.
• Also controls Ca2+ transport in to cells.
• Sunlight: not an efficient source of Vitamin D for dogs and cats so need a dietary source
• Deficiency of calcium and vitamin D shows up as:
• Young animals: ricketts, enlarged costochondral junctions
• Mature Animals: osteomalacia (soft bones) and osteoporosis (porous and brittle bones)
• Consuming diets too high in calcium and/or vitamin D can lead to changes in growth plates in bones (osteochondritis dissecans/cracks between articular cartilage and underlying subchondral bone) in puppies (particularly large breeds)
Vitamin B3 (niacin/nicotinic acid), Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), Vitamin A (retinol/retinal),
Dog
• Can synthesize nicotinic acid (Vit B3) from tryptophan
• Pyridoxine (Vit B6) require dietary source • Can synthesize Vitamin A (retinol/retinoic acid) from β-carotene
Cat
• Cannot synthesize nicotinic acid (Vit B3) from tryptophan
• Pyridoxine (Vit B6) require 5 x dog
• Cannot synthesize Vitamin A (retinol/retinoic acid) from β-carotene
Meet Water Requirements
• Aim is to maintain water balance
• Two sources – Water derived from metabolism – Water consumed in food or as drinking water
• Dogs and cats meet most of water requirements through food and drinking fresh water – Thirst usually ensures adequate consumption given an adequate supply of fresh water, but cats should have a supply of fresh water next to food bowl to promote fluid intake. – Cats fed dried food have lower water turnover than cats fed canned or moist food
• Cats are adapted to dry climates and produce more concentrated urine that dogs
Pet Food Labelling: Ingredients
• Listed in order by weight of inclusion
• Weight of inclusion is determined by weight of ingredient prior to processing (e.g., fresh meat with a high water content maybe listed first while fat with a higher energy content but little or no water may be listed lower down list)
• Different forms of ingredients can be listed separately (use nutritional knowledge developed with time and experience)
Home Prepared Foods and Treats
• Some issues to be aware of:
• Owner feels empowered (take care to respect this!)
• Allows use of locally cheap feed ingredients
• Can tailor diet to suit owners attitudes and preferences or meet “specific” nutritional needs of animal
• Deficiencies and excesses in essential and non essential nutrients, e.g., Ca:P, arachidonic acid, vitamins A and D and taurine in particular for cats
• Raw ingredients can contain anti-nutritional factors:
• Avidin in egg white binds biotin (Vit B7 - a carboxylase enzyme/carboxyl group)
• Thiaminase in many fish species depletes thiamine (Vit B1 - energetic decarboxylation/nerve function)
• Preservation issues/microbial overgrowth/rancidity of fats
• Toxic ingredients
• Onion and garlic - haemolytic anaemia (Heinz bodies in erthrocytes/denatured methaemoglobin)
• Chocolate (particularly dark) - theobromine (Theobroma sp. or Cacao plant) is an alkaloid (can affect cellular signal transduction and energy metabolism with symptoms being heart arrhythmia, tremors)
Bones and Raw Food Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (or BARF)
• Purported benefits (evidence lacking and/or anecdotal):
• Improved skin, coat and dental health
• Elimination of breath, body and faecal odours
• Improved immune function
• Management/prevention of allergies
• Improved behaviour/activity
• Reduced disease burden
• Some issues to be aware of (supporting evidence available):
• Sensitivity to client attitude advised
• Nutrient balance problems
• Preservation issues/microbial overgrowth
• Increased risk of pathogens, e.g., Salmonella and Campylobacter from raw ingredients
• Increased risk of GIT obstruction, perforation and fractured teeth
Food Hygiene
• Canned food:
• Discard uneaten food after 2 hours
• Store in refrigerator up to 5 days
• Dry Food
• Stored in resealable container in cool dry environment
• Spoilage
• Check food for signs of spoilage before feeding
• Hygiene:
• Wash utensils and feeding area with soap and water
Energy Terminology
• Units (commonly used in nutrition)
– 1 calorie = 4.18 joules 1 joule = 0.24 calories 1 MJ = 1,000,000 joules
• Resting Energy Requirement (RER) = Energy requirements of a fed animal at rest in a thermoneutral environment.
• This measure is typically used in determining energy requirements of dogs and cats in care.
• Daily Energy Requirement (DER) = Average daily energy expenditure of a cat or dog dependent upon stage of life, physiological state and activity.
• This measure includes all energy expended for maintenance of essential functions as well as activity, growth, gestation and lactation.
Factors to Consider when Calculating Daily Energy Requirements of Dogs and Cats
• Nutritional needs vary according to:
– Activity
– Life Stage (growing, mature, senior, pregnant, lactating)
– Body condition – Gender and neuter status
– Environment
– Breed
– Health status
Determining Energy Requirements: Activity/Lifestyle
• Dogs
– Most pet dogs are sedentary so energy needs are minimal above RER (1.2 to 1.4 × RER)
– Dogs kennelled/kept with other dogs are more active (say 2 × RER)
– Elite athletes (working dogs, sled dogs) can use 5 to 11 times RER to support activity
Assessment of Body Condition in Cats and Dogs
Typically a 5 point scale
• Assess body shape from above and side profile
• Above: waste ranges from obvious presence to total absence (hour glass to pear shape); vertebral processes range from prominent (particularly tail base in dogs) to having thick cover of fat; width of back ranges from narrow to broad)
• Side profile: ribs range from easily palpable with no fat cover to difficult to feel with thick fat cover; waste ranges from obvious abdominal tuck to pendulous fatty ventral bulge in animals over 6 months of age
• Consistency of scoring and relative change in BCS more important than arguing over a particular number (no point in unnecessarily upsetting a client or colleague)
Feeding Guidelines
• Feeding guidelines are based on average requirements determined for a life stage
• Actual requirements will vary considerably according to individual animal differences
• With training and experience you will get to know the potential benefits and issues with particular branded pet foods
• Use your nutritional knowledge to determine appropriateness of feed and dose rate in order to formulate your recommendation
• Be prepared to adjust your recommendation based on changes in the animal’s liveweight and/or body condition and the owners needs
Learn More
Cram.Com: Animal Nutrition Quiz
Questions
- compare the differences in nutritional physiology of cats and dogs with humans
- compare the differences in nutritional physiology of cats with dogs
- compare the canine and feline jaw model andhowit relates to their diet.
- why is a dietary source of taurine important in teh diet of cats and ome breed of dogs. What diseases result from a lack of dietary taurine?
- why doesthe depeltion of a-ketoglutarate within mitochondria in response to hyperammonemia result in ataxia and lethargy among other ymptoms in cats?
- cats reuly heavily on gluconeogenic amino acids forblood glucose homeostasis and naturally would consume diets that were low in glucose. Is there an issue with modern dry cat foods?
- why would we bother to put fibre into dog and cat foods?
- what are the broad roles of fatty acids in teh diets of dogs and cats?
- what are considered to be the essenial fatty acids of dogs and cats (hint: they are highlighted in red)
- explain the difference between an omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acid
- why is arachadonic acid essential in the diet of cats but not dogs?
- describe some of the problems that an arise from feeding diets either too low or too high in their content of vitamin D and calcium
- describe some differences ebtween dogs and catin requirements for vitamins.
- list the main sources of water for a dog or a cat, why do you need water next to a cats' food bowl?
- comment on theability of beef mince to meet the calcium and phosphorous needs of a dog (or cat). Is supplementation required?
- descri some purported benefits and possible problems with feeding home prepared foods.
- describe the purported benefits and possible problms with feeding raw food diets.
- describe how you would manage food hygiene associated with feeding cats and dogs
- Define DER and RER
- what factors do you ned to consider when calculating the daily energy requirements of a cat or dog?
- what is the range in food dosage factor for activity in dogs?