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NutritionNutrition Basics:I. Water – essential in helping regulate body temperature, lubrication of body tissues, and as a fluid medium for the blood and lymph systems.Cats have the ability to also concentrate their urine thus sparing water loss.Water intake is controlled by thirst, hunger, metabolic activity (work, growth, etc), and the environment (humidity, temperature)Dogs and cats obtain water from the water they drink, fluid ingested with food, and water generated from metabolic processes in the body. Water is primarily lost in urine, feces, and respiration.Canned diets contain approximately 70-75% waterDry diets contain 8-12% waterII. Protein – muscle growth, tissue repair, enzymes, transporting oxygen in the blood, immune functions, hormones and a source of energy. Proteins are made up of amino acids. More than 20 amino acids are involved in the synthesis of protein in the body. Essential amino acids are those that cannot be formed fast enough or in sufficient amounts to meet the requirements for growth and maintenance and, therefore must be supplied in the diet.Arginine HistidineIsoleucineLeucineLysineMethioninePhenylalineThreonineTryptophanValineTaurine (cats)Cats require twice as much protein as dogs. They also require Taurine in their diet. Deficient taurine results in retinal degeneration and dilated cariomyopathy.Protein is derived from both animal and plant sources.To appropriately evaluate the protein levels of different dog and cat foods, two factors should be considered. One is the level of protein and the other is the protein digestibility.Unlike fat, there is a limit to the amount of protein stored as such in the body. Once the demand for amino acids is met and protein reserves are filled, protein energy could potentially go to the production of fat.Protein deficiency: depressed, decreased appetite, poor growth, weight loss, rough and dull haircoat, decreased immune function, lower reproductive performance, decreased milk production.III. Carbohydrates – source of energy. Carbohydrates are sugars, starches, fiber (grains). Carbohydrates are broken down to glucose. Glucose is the normal source of energy used by most cells in the body. Excess carbohydrate energy is stored in the form of glycogen in the liver and muscles and is converted to fat and stored in adipose tissues.Carbohydrates may make up 40-55% of dry diets in dog food and is found in lesser amounts in typical cat foods.Digestible Carbohydrates in dog/cat food:Corn, oats, rice, barley, wheat, sorghumOther sources:Beet pulp, branIV. Fat – concentrated form of energy. Compared to protein and carbohydrate, fat contains approximately two and a half times the amount of energy per gram. Fatty acids can be classified by the length of their carbon chain(bond). Fat with no double bond at all are called saturated fats. Saturated fats are generally solid at room temperature and unsaturated fat is usually liquid.Fat is needed as a source of essential fatty acids. The polyunsaturated essential fatty acids are important for normal skin and hair coat, normal immune function, and many other aspects of health.V. Minerals- bone and cartilage formation, enzymatic reactions, maintaining fluid balance, transportation of oxygen in the blood, normal muscle and nerve function, and the production of hormones.Supplementation of any one mineral to an otherwise balanced diet can create imbalances and possibly disrupt an animal’s nutritional health. Macro-minerals are needed in greater amounts in the diet, and found in larger amounts in the body than micro-minerals.Macro-minerals:Calcium, phosphorus, sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesiumMicro-minerals:Iron, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, iodinea. Calcium/phosphorus – essential minerals and are necessary for normal bone development, as well as numerous metabolic functions.b. Sodium/chloride – serve largely as fluid-regulating minerals to help maintain the balance between fluids inside/outside. Chloride is required for the formation of HCL.c. Potassium – required for proper enzyme, muscle, and nerve functions, as well as helping to maintain fluid balance.d. Magnesium – important as a structural component of both muscle and bone, and it plays a key role in many enzymatic reactions throughout the body.e. Iron –is small but combines with protein to make hemoglobin.f. Zinc- important in the production of proteins and a functional immune system, as well as for DNA and cellular turnover.g. Manganese – involves protein and carbohydrate metabolism and reproduction.h. Copper – important for energy metabolism and oxygen transportation in the bloodstream. Also involved in collagen and elastic connective tissue formation, the development and maturation of red blood cells, antioxidant functions, as well as providing pigmentation for hair and wool.i. Selenium – required in small amounts. It is the most toxic if consumed in excess. Necessary for normal immune functions.j. Iodine – critical for the production of thyroid hormones.VI. Vitamins – required in the smallest amounts. They are classified as either fat-soluble (Vit. A, D, E, K) or water soluble (Vit. B and C).a. Vitamin A – normal vision, growth, immune system functionb. Vitamin D – involved in the regulation of calcium in the body. Its primary functions are to help in the mineralization of bone to increase the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the intestine.c. Vitamin E – help in reproduction and are antioxidants to minimize damage to cells.d. Vitamin K – clotting agent in the bloode. Vitamin B complex – are required in small amounts. They are critical in the metabolism of protein, carbohydrate and fat, which results in energy for body processes.f. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) – synthesis or production of collagen.VII. Misc. foodsa. Milk – a food and not a substitute for water. As a food, milk is incomplete and does not provide a balanced diet. Milk contains lactose, which requires the enzyme lactase for breakdown in the intestinal tract. If the intestinal tract does not contain sufficient lactase, consumption of a high level can cause diarrhea.b. Table scraps – they should not exceed more than 10% of the total diet. Higher levels will predispose the animal to obesity, dental problems, and create a finicky eater.c. Vegetables for dogs – Most dogs love raw carrots. Cooked vegetables are more appealing to dogs (green beans, broccoli, cabbage, sweet potatoes, spinach) If you feed vegetables, limit them to ? of their total daily intake, and be sure to include a high quality source of protein in the diet. Toxic veggies: onions, garlic, avocados, mushroomsTypes of foodsI. Canned diets – offer the highest palatability. Short shelf life after opened (3 days).II. Dry diets – crunchy kibbles which help reduce the build-up of plaque and tartar on the teeth. Dry foods also have the advantage of staying fresh longer once the package is opened.III. Soft- moist diets –higher palatability compared to dry diets. More expensive than dry dietsIV. Hay – when choosing the right hay, consider:a. color and cutting; Green, freshly cut hay contains more vitamins and nutrients. Third and fourth cut hays may be excellent quality, but too rich and low in fiber for some horses. Plants harvested early in maturity have very leafy and soft with a high nutrient density and palatability. Plants harvested late will have coarse, thick stems and less leaf.b. different types of hay vary widely in amounts of protein, energy, vitamins, and minerals.1. alfalfa – highest protein, calcium, and phosphorus levels2. Orchard grass/timothy grass – lower in protein and nutrients compared to alfalfa3. Oat hayc. Pick the hay quality that matches the specific horse needs.d. Evaluate the hay for general condition. Do not feed dusty or moldy hay.V. Grain – when choosing grain, consider;a. color and smell. All grains should be brightly colored and have no foul odor. Changes in color and smell may indicate bacteria or mold contamination.b. Grain that is high in moisture or light in weight will have a lower density of nutrients.c. Do not over feed grains.Increase 1-2 lbs of grain ration/day when coldVI. Bran – imbalance of Ca:P (increased water intake which throws it off); don’t feed when feeding a complete dietLife StagesI. Young Kittens require about twice the energy per pound of body weight as a mature cat. It is recommended that kittens be fed 3-4 times a day during this period of rapid growth.Kittens tend to be “occasional” eaters s they take a large number of small meals throughout the day. After consuming a small portion of the food, the kitten leaves and returns at intervals to eat. From 7 months -1 year, kittens should be fed twice a day.Puppies should gain approximately its birth weight each week during the lactation or nursing period.Foals – gain 1 lb/day during the last 90 days of their gestation.Birth: 10% mature weight, 60% mature height6 months: 50% mature weight, 80% mature heightFoals nurse 70+ times/dayII. Adult Cat – Because cats tend to be nibblers, they should have access to their food throughout the day. Cats require a higher level of dietary protein and a different nutrient balance than dogs. Like kittens, mature cats require the addition of taurine to their diet. III. Later stages of pregnancy/lactation Cats – females may have to be fed 2-3 times a day.Dogs – during the last 2 -3 weeks, nutrimental requirements increase. This can be met by gradually increasing the female’s food intake the third trimester. The demand for milk by nursing puppies will continue to increase for about 20-30 days. Consequently, the female’s food and water requirements during this time increase. At peak lactation, the female’s food intake may be 2-4 times above her usual food intake. Nursing females should be offered all the food they want.If lactating mare and foal are fed together, increase amount offered by 1 lb/month of age of the foal per day.IV. Geriatric Cats(12-15 years) –need fewer caloriesDogs- aging dogs are defined as older or geriatric when they have reached the last 25% of their expected life span.Small breeds greater than 12 years oldMedium breeds greater than 10 years oldLarge breeds greater than 9 years oldGiant breeds greater than 7 years oldEnergyCalories: amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of water on degree. 1000 calories = 1 kcal.MER (maintenance energy requirement): 55 x body weight (kg) = kcal/dayRER (resting energy requirement) 70 kcal/kg/dayDER (daily energy requirement)Body Conditional Score Guaranteed AnalysisGuaranteed Analysis (as fed basis) is the pet food industry’s version of nutrition facts. The purpose of the Guaranteed Analysis is to make it easy for consumers to compare four critical nutrients:ProteinFatFiberMoistureDry MatterDry matter is the material remaining after the removal of water (moisture) in the feed. The moisture free diet. The nutrients in feeds, required by the animal for maintenance, growth, pregnancy, and lactation, are part of the dry matter (DM) portion of the feed. Knowing the moisture content of a feed ingredient is important because the moisture content affects the weight of the feed, but does not provide nutrient value to the animal. A variety of factors affect the moisture content of large animal feeds. The timing and method of harvest is the largest contributing factor to the moisture content of the feed. Weather and environmental conditions affect feed moisture content. Determining the DM content of feed provides a measurement of a particular feed that is required to supply a set amount of nutrients to the animal. Increases or decreases in feed DM content result in over or under feeding of nutrients.When foods are considered on a dry matter basis, they can be directly compared to one another. A canned food with 68% water can be compared to a dry food that contains 10% water or two wet foods with different amounts of moisture using the following equation.A. Small animal calculation of dry matter:% ingredient value x 100 = Dry Matter Basis (DM)%100% - %MoistureExample:You have a can of dog food that has a guaranteed analysis protein figure of 10%. This is the protein content just as it’s fed from the can “(as fed basis”). This product contains 75% moisture. 10 / (100%-75%) == (10/25) x 100 = 40% Dry Matter Protein ContentThis means there is 4 times more protein content than what the guaranteed analysis indicatedB. Large animal calculation of dry matter in feeds:Weigh the empty container selected to hold the feed and record the weight.Place the feed in the container.Weigh and record the container and feed weight.Subtract the weight of the container from the total weight (Step 3) to determine the weight of the feed before drying.Thoroughly dry the feed.Weigh and record the container and feed weight immediately after drying.Subtract the weight of the container from the total weight (Step 6) to determine the weight of the feed after drying.Divide the weight of the dry feed (Step 4) by the weight of the wet feed (Step 7).Multiply by 100 to get a percentage.Refusal to eatOffering a variety in pet foods encourages a dog to become a “holdout” to see what it will be offered next. Some dogs are eager to eat a particular pet food for several days. Suddenly this eagerness vanishes and they eat reluctantly or refuse to eat for a few days. This refusal can be the dog’s own attempt to control calorie intake. Overeating can cause a dog, like a human, to experience an uncomfortable feeling. The dog will attempt to relieve his discomfort by not eating or eating very little of his food.There are 4 main types of taste perception that might affect dogs/cats: acid, bitter (cats are very sensitive), salty (enhances food), sweet (cats don’t care, dogs do)Transitioning to a new foodWhen changing diet for any reason, do it gradually over a 7 -10 day period. Add a small amount of the new diet to the food currently being fed. Each day increase the quantity of the new diet and decrease the amount of the old diet. This gradual change helps avoid digestive upset. ................
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