Pet Nutrition Series

Week 1 Understanding nutrition and what it means for your pet

Dr. Donna J. Spector July 11, 2011

Brought to you by
Dr Chad Zadina
BS Animal Science DVM CVMA Certified

Dr Donna Spector
BS Nutrition, DVM Board-certified Internal Board-

Acupuncturist

Medicine Specialist (DACVIM)

Ask Dr. Pawz! Pawz!

(www.SpectorDVM.com) www.SpectorDVM.com)
www.askdrpawz.com

Veterinary Advisor

Pet Nutrition
Week 1: Nutrition requirements of pets
Minimums vs pet food standard recommendations vs ideals

Nutrition as a:
Means of sustenance / maintenance of life Disease (obesity epidemic) Way to prevent or treat disease Way to reach optimal health

Week 2: Understanding commercial pet nutrition

Optimal vs avoidable ingredients Deciphering labels / comparing pet foods How to choose the best food for your pet

Miscellaneous sources of nutrition

Raw foods, home-cooked foods, hybrid home-

Nutrients Nutrientsthe basics

There are six major classes of nutrients Carbohydrates (including fiber) Protein Fat Minerals Vitamins Water

Water

Water is vital to lifethe most important nutrient life

Many critical functionstransporting substances, all body functions chemical reactions, control of body temperature and shape

Water is the largest component of the body (40-80%) (40Pets get water through food or actual drinking Requirement: about 30ml (1 ounce) per pound per day Average 30 pound dog needs 27 ounces! Average 10 pound cat needs 9 ounces! Animals eating canned foods will drink less than those fed dry foods because of the high water content of moist foods (>75% water) water) Similar to people, pets often do not consume enough water for ideal health Creative ways to increase water intake to prevent disease

Protein and Fat

Proteins are made up of amino acids (AA)
Some AA are considered essential must be supplied in food or deficiency will occur Function as structural components of body organs and tissues (muscle, ligaments, skin, hair, blood, etc.), enzymes, hormones and antibodies

Fat is necessary to pets as:

A source of energy To help absorb crucial fat-soluble vitamins fat Fats provide Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)
Part of many cells, tissues and organs Help combat inflammation and aging changes

Carbohydrates
for Carnivores

Confusion over whether pets really need carbohydrates

Pets need glucose to provide the brain and blood cells with energy Carbs are a ready source of glucose.but species differences!

Cats are OBLIGATE carnivoresrely solely on meat for nutrients. carnivores

Make glucose from protein and do not have a carb requirement

Dogs are FACULTATIVE carnivorescan readily use nutrients carnivores from meat and plant sources Most commercial pet foods contain carbohydrates well in excess of glucose requirements
30-60% carbohydrates in most diets! 30 Has contributed to obesity epidemic When >40% carbs are fed to cats
Signs of maldigestion occur = gas, bloating, diarrhea Adverse metabolic effects = high blood sugar;

diabetic state

prepre-

Vitamins / Minerals
Vitamins are essential in small amounts for

normal body functions

The body does not make vitamins must be supplemented in the food! Deficiencies can easily occur:

Imbalanced home-cooked or raw diets homeImproper food storage can alter the availability of vitamins Diseases (e.g. kidney, intestinal) can affect vitamin requirements Also must avoid TOXICITYtoo much of a good thingnot better TOXICITY thing

Minerals are commonly referred to as ash

Absolutely necessary for normal life functions need proper amounts! Availability varies widely in pet food:
Meat-derived minerals are more available than plant-derived minerals Meatplant Mineral should be chelated (bound) to proteinsusually called proteinates proteins

or chelatesfor best use by your pet chelates Avoidance of ash is not recommended for cats with urinary issues issues outdated recommendation

Requirements of Pets
What nutrients do dogs and cats need and in

what quantities to support life?

How about to reach optimal health levels? What about for the treatment or prevention of disease?

AAFCOThe Association of AAFCO

American Feed Control Officials Officials publishes nutrient profiles for dogs and cats

AAFCO Recommendations

AAFCO has published two nutrient profiles for dogs and cats
Growth (for puppies or kittens) / Reproduction Adult maintenance

Not minimum requirements but not necessarily optimal levels either Defined as: allowances adequate to meet the known nutrient needs of ALMOST ALL HEALTHY dogs and cats AAFCO standards include recommendations on protein, fat, vitamins, and mineral content of foods No carbohydrate recommendations are given Commercial pet foods must be labeled as complete and balanced and achieve this by: Meeting these nutrient profiles or Passing a feeding trialpreferred trial

Dog Nutrient Requirements

DM = dry matter basis ME = metabolizable energy i.e. % of calories coming from fat/protein/carbs

Minimums AAFCO rec Protein:

Growth Adult maint

Optimal
3535-50% ME 3535-50% ME 1010-30% ME 1010-30% ME

9.5% DM 6% DM 2% DM 1% DM

22% DM 18% DM 8% DM 5% DM

Fat:
Growth Adult maint

Carbs: Carbs:
Growth Adult maint

2020-25% ME <20% ME

Cat Nutrient Requirements

DM = dry matter basis ME = metabolizable energy i.e. % of calories coming from fat/protein/carbs

Minimums Protein:
Growth Adult maint

AAFCO rec
30% DM 26% DM 9% DM 9% DM

Optimal
3535-50% ME 3535-50% ME 1515-30% ME 1515-30% ME

24% DM 14% DM 2% DM 1% DM

Fat:
Growth Adult maint

Carbs: Carbs:
Growth Adult maint

2020-25% ME <20% ME *complex carbs

Supplements
The path to optimal health Natural approach to disease prevention / treatment

Pet foods are complete and balancedwhy supplements? balanced Supplements = insurance policy Processing / storing of food prior to purchase Food storage in the pet owners home Vitamins and fatty acids are extremely prone to degradation Food competition between pets Disease conditions resulting in insufficient intake / absorption Counteract / slow the aging process

Types of Supplements

Vitamins / Minerals - careful Fatty Acids Antioxidants Pre and probiotics Fiber supplements (soluble and insoluble) Glucosamine / joint protectants

Check out my supplement articles at: http://www.halopets.com/pet-education/pethttp://www.halopets.com/pet-education/pet-articles.html

Supplements for the older pet Supplements in puppies and kittens Supplements for skin and coat

Common Questions Life stages, breed/species, basic health issues

Puppy food to Adult Food When is it best to make this change? Large / Giant breed puppies and dogs Do they really need a special formula and why? BreedBreed-specific or size-specific foodsare these really sizefoods necessary? Is dry food necessary for dental health? Cats Catscanned food or dry food? And why?

Common Questions Medical IssuesPrescription Diets Issues

Prescription dietsare they necessary if my pet has:
Intestinal problems? Kidney problems? Bladder problems?

Diabetes? Obesity? Heart problems?

Most likely there is a commercial, non-prescription food that could be nonused in your pet with most medical conditions
Especially if the condition is in the early stages Minor modifications may be necessaryhybrid menu of home-cooked and necessary homecommercial, addition of supplements, vitamins, antioxidants, etc. Some of my specific recommendations for certain medical conditions can be http://www.1800petmeds.com/pet-med-info/diets-for-dogsfound at: http://www.1800petmeds.com/pet-med-info/diets-for-dogsgastrointestinalgastrointestinal-disease.jsp

As the condition becomes more severe, a pet may feel better on a prescription diet or a home-cooked diet balanced specifically for their homeneeds.

Energy Requirements of Pets

Energy is measured as CALORIES Calories needed/burned each day = resting energy requirement (RER) RER = 30 (BW in kg) + 70
Accurate if pet weighs between 2 and 45 kg (4 and 99

pounds) To obtain kg weight, divide pet weight in pounds by 2.2

The RER is then adjusted according to pet activity

How many calories does your dog need?

Canine Daily Calorie Requirements

Neutered adult = 1.6 x RER Intact adult

= 1.8 x RER Obese prone = 1.2-1.4 x RER 1.2Weight loss = 1.0 x RER at ideal weight Weight gain = 1.2-1.4 x RER at ideal weight 1.2Light work = 2 x RER Moderate work = 3 x RER Heavy work = 4-8 x RER 4-

Canine Daily Calorie Requirements Special Life Stages

Gestation
First 42 days = feed as intact adult (1.8 x RER) Last 21 days = 3 x RER

Lactation
Depends on the number of puppies 3-8 x RER

1 puppy = 3 x RER 2 puppies = 3.5 x RER 3-4 puppies = 4 x RER 5-6 puppies = 5 x RER 7-8 puppies = 5.5 x RER 9+ puppies = 6+ x RER

Growth
Weaning to 4 months old = 3 x RER 4 months to adult size = 2 x RER

How many calories does your cat need? Feline Daily Calorie Requirements
Neutered adult = 1.2 x RER Intact adult

= 1.4 x RER Obese prone = 1.0 x RER Weight loss = 0.8 x RER at ideal weight Weight gain = 1.2-1.4 x RER at ideal weight 1.2-

Feline Daily Calorie Requirements Special Life Stages

Gestation
At breeding = 1.6 x RER Gradually increase to at birth = 2 x RER

Lactation
Depends on the number of kittens 2-6 x RER

Weeks 1-2 = RER +30% per kitten 1Week 3 = RER + 45% per kitten Week 4 = RER + 55% per kitten Week 5 = RER + 65% per kitten Week 6 = RER + 90% per kitten

Growth
2.5 x RER

Biggest nutrition problem in U.S. is OVERNUTRITION.

Fat Cats Pudgy Pooches

Pet Obesity

Human obesity numbers are increasing every year

68% of Americans (>20 years old) are overweight or obese = 148 (> million (2010 CDC) 32% of Americans (>20 years old) are obese = 64 million (>

Not surprising that pet obesity is now an epidemic

Pets are increasingly viewed as members of the family Accomplice to the couch potato lifestyle

Definition Overweight up to 19% over ideal body weight Obese 20% or more over ideal body weight Obesity is on the risefrom 2007 to 2010, the number of rise overweight cats is up 3% and dogs are up 10%

Pet Obesity The ALARMING U.S. Statistics

There are 77.5 million dogs and 93.6 million cats (171 million total) in U.S. 54% (93 million) are classified as overweight or obese DOGS 55.6% of dogs are estimated to be overweight = 43 million dogs! Obese: 20% = 16 million CATS 54% of cats are estimated to be overweight = 50 million cats! Obese: 22% = 20 million Older animals and small breed dogs are at higher risk for being overweight 52.1% of dogs and 55% of cats >7 years old Small breedsexercise-related breedsexercise-

Pet Obesity Interesting Facts.

Most pet owners of overweight/obese pets recognize the excess weight

71.5% of cat owners and 60% of dog owners

What they dont know. is how significant those extra few pounds are for their petit is hard for
them to compare to themselves. Extra 3 pounds on a 10 pound cat = extra 44 pounds on a 145 pound woman! Extra 5 pounds on a 30 pound dog = extra 24 pounds on a 145 pound woman! that those few treats can add up to a full day calories for small pets 1 ounce cube of cheese = 120 calories 20 pound dog = 420 calories each day. That treat is 30% of daily needs!! that being overweight or obese can be LIFE THREATENING! Pet obesity is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in dogs and cats

Risks of Pet Obesity

Shorter life span2 recent compelling studies span
Dogs at ideal weight live 15% longer and with less disease than dogs suffering from obesity Cats when fed an ideal diet were less obese, had more lean body mass and lived significantly longer than counterparts

Osteoarthritis Type 2 Diabetes Respiratory disorders Hypertension (high blood pressure) Heart disease Many forms of cancer

Responsibilities of Pet Owners to help treat / prevent obesity

#1: Recognize the problem and take action on your pets behalf
You must understand and ACCEPT what your pets ideall weight is!!

Top 10 AKC Breeds

Lab Retriever 55-80 lbs. 55Yorkshire Terrier <7 lbs. GSD 70-95 lbs. 70Golden Retriever 55-75 lbs. 55Beagle 26-31 lbs. 26Boxer 53-70 lbs. 53Dachshund <16 lbs. Miniature Poodle 11 lbs. Shih Tzu 9-16 lbs. 9Bulldog 40-50 lbs 40-

Common Cat Breeds

DSH / DMH / DLH 8-10 lbs. 8Maine Coon 11-15 lbs. 11Persian 10-11 lbs. 10Siamese 5-10 lbs 5-

Responsibilities of Pet Owners to help treat / prevent obesity

Create a specific weight loss plan and goal with your veterinarian.and stick to it!
Determine the calories your pet needs every day to reach their ideal weight Dont cheat!

Change your feeding practices

It is not necessary to buy prescription diet food to achieve weight loss Feed at least 2 meals each dayno free feeding Treats are a huge source of hidden caloriesknow exactly what you are feeding.

No more than 10% of daily calories as treats! Choose smart treats: low calorie, baked, high protein / low carbohydrate, functional

Start an exercise program

Engage your pet for at least 10 minutes twice daily

Monitor progress
Buy a scale or schedule weight checks with your vet No more than 1-2% of weight loss each week. Most pets lose the appropriate 1amount of weight in 6-8 months 6-

Evaluating Body Weight

Guidelines to determine if a pet is overweight/

obese
Difficult to feel ribs or spine under fat Sagging stomach you can see or grab a handful of fat! No tuck in the abdomen when viewed from the side Broad, flat back No waist when viewed from above

Body Condition Scoringtwo Scoring

common systems

1-5 system; 3 is ideal 1-9 system; 4/5 is ideal *preferred

BCS (1-9) - dogs (1BCS 1 BCS 7 BCS 5 Ideal

BCS 3

BCS 9

BCS 1

BCS (1-9) - cats BCS 7 (1BCS 5 Ideal

BCS 3

BCS 9

Responsibilities of Veterinarians and Animal Professionals to help treat / prevent obesity

#1: Recognize the problem and take action on your patients

behalf behalftoo many vets overestimate weight

Provide tools / resources to help owners:
Determine ideal body weight Select appropriate diets / treats

Determine appropriate feeding amount and monitor progress

Calculate calorie requirement needed for weight loss Schedule weight check-ins at least every 2 weeks check Revise plan according to rate of weight loss at least 1-2% needed 1each week When pet reaches ideal weight, adjust calorie intake for healthy weight maintenance calculate at obese prone levels

Pet Obesity Programs

Resources for Pet Owners
Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP)
Mission is to develop / promote weight loss programs for pet owners to lose weight WITH their pets Informative, not associated with any veterinary industry / food product www.petobesityprevention.com

Hills Pet Nutrition has teamed with AVMA

to form the Alliance for Healthier Pets

2008 Obesity Awareness and Prevention Kit PetFit Challenge / Tour Website: www.petfit.com

Stay Tunednext week!

Pet Food Industry

Week 2 What you need to know for your pets sake