Transcript Small Animal Nutrition

Small Animal
Nutrition
DeeDee Schumacher CVT, VTS(ECC), M.Ed
Energy Producing Nutrients
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Protein (built of amino acids)
 Complete
has all amino acids
animal source
 Incomplete … vegetable sources
can combine several to get complete
Carbohydrates (carbs)
 Fat
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Non-energy Producing Nutrients
Water
 Minerals
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 Macro
(Ca, Phos, K+, Na, Mg)
 Micro (Fe, copper, Zn, Iodine)
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Vitamins
 Fat
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soluble vitamins A, D, E, K
Stored in liver and fat
 Water
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soluble vitamins B complex, C
None stored in the body
Feeding protocols
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Free feed
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Time restricted
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Available at all times
Animal decides when and how much to eat
Unrestricted amount of food available for specific amount of time
(10-30 mins)
Can be repeated throughout the day)
Food restricted
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Specific quantity of food offered at specific times during the day
“Best” feeding method
Factors that Affect Energy
Requirements
Growth
 Lactation
 Stress
 Physical exertion
 Breed
 Environmental conditions
 Age
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Types
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Cats are true carnivores
 Protein
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is their primary energy source
Dogs are omnivores
 Carbs
are their primary energy source
Body Conditioning Score Chart
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Body conditioning score chart should be
used
 Scoring
chart range may be from 1-5 or 1-6
 1=thinnest
 5 or 6= fattest
Factors to Consider
Trauma, illness and stress will increase an
animal’s metabolism, thus increasing the
animals energy requirement
 The body eats 24 hours a day regardless if
the gut is fed or not
 The simplest method for administering
nutrition should be chosen
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Getting them to eat
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Coaxing and warming
Drugs to stimulate appetite
Force feeding/syringe feeding in mouth
Orogastric intubation… Mouth tube directly into
stomach
Nasograstric intubation .. Nose tube to stomach
Getting them to eat cont.
Direct IV infusion
 Should be introduced gradually
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 1/3
total calories per day on day 1
 2/3 total calories per day on day 2
 Total calories on day 3
Pet Food Label
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Product name
Designation (Dog or cat)
Net weight
Name and address of manufacturer
Guaranteed analysis
Ingredient panel
Nutritional adequacy statement or purpose of product
Feeding guidelines
Date of mfg and expiration
Pet Food Label Cont.
Regulated by FDA (Food + Drug Admin)
 AAFCO=American Association of Feeding
Controls Officials, the regulating body of
pet food manufacturers in the USA
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Guaranteed Analysis
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Minimum or maximum % of certain nutrients
Crude protein
Crude fat
Crude fiber
Moisture
Don’t use GA to compare foods
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Only indicates mins and max not exact amounts
Also includes moisture content therefore nutrient value is diluted in
moisture so canned food may appear to have a lower % than dry food
Should convert nutrients to dry matter to compare foods
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Allows for a more accurate comparison of foods
We will do conversions
Ingredients Panel
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Listed descending order by weight
High water content will appear higher on list due
to water weight
Manufacturers can alter ingredients so can
appear higher or lower on list as they desire
Don’t use as a mode of comparison
 Cannot
determine quality or digestibility
Recommendations
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Should recommend products that have
undergone feeding trials
 Nutritional
adequacy statements are based on
feeding trials or through calculation method
 Statements about meeting or exceeding standards
without feeding trials are based on a chemical
analysis and do not verify the digestibility or true
adequacy of the product.
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Snacks, treats and therapeutic diets do not
require nutritional statements
Nutritional Requirements
of Each Life Stage Cont.
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Gestation and lactation
 Similar
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to the neonate
Young dogs (neonates and puppies)
 Colostrum
milk that provides maternal antibodies
 First 24-48 hours after parturition
 Provides immunity
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Nutritional Requirements
of Each Life Stage Cont.
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Neonates should be weighed daily for first 2
weeks
 Puppies
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should gain 2-4 g/day/kg or 1-2 g/day/lb
Growth fed for first year
Large breed puppies
 Overfed
 Imbalance
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between Ca/P (can cause bone probs)
Adult dogs (1-7 years)
 Treats
or snacks should not exceed 10% diet
Nutritional Requirements
of Each Life Stage Cont.
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Geriatric dogs
 Organs
can not tolerate nutrient excesses or
deficiencies
 CDS cognitive dysfunction syndrome similar
to Alzheimer’s in humans
 Diet should include
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Reduced fat calories
Decreased Na, protein and phos (reduces workload of
cardiovascular system and kidneys)
Increased fiber (slows GI tract and improves absorption)
Increased antioxidants (CDS)
Nutritional Requirements
of Each Life Stage Cont.
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Young cats (kittens)
 Similar
to puppies
 Adult cats
By nature nibblers so should be available
throughout day
 Cats are not born finicky, they are made finicky
(consistency is the key)
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FLUTD
Feline lower urinary tract disease
describes number of conditions
associated with feline lower urinary tract.
 1%-6% cats seen in hospitals
 Clinical signs
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 Urethral
obstruction
 Inappropriate urination
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Dietary management important
Obesity
25%-44% companion animals obese
 Obese is 20% over ideal body weight
 Overweight is 10% over ideal body weight
 Should include diet and exercise program
 Goals should be realistic and achievable
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The End
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The Start to Good Nutrition