1. Small Animal Nutrition
DeeDee Schumacher CVT, VTS(ECC), M.Ed

2. Energy Producing Nutrients
Protein (built of amino acids)
Complete has all amino acids
animal source
Incomplete … vegetable sources
can combine several to get complete
Carbohydrates (carbs)
Fat

3. Non-energy Producing Nutrients
Water
Minerals
Macro (Ca, Phos, K+, Na, Mg)
Micro (Fe, copper, Zn, Iodine)
Vitamins
Fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, K
Stored in liver and fat
Water soluble vitamins B complex, C
None stored in the body

4. Feeding protocols Free feed Time restricted Food restricted
Available at all times
Animal decides when and how much to eat
Time restricted
Unrestricted amount of food available for specific amount of time (10-30 mins)
Can be repeated throughout the day)
Food restricted
Specific quantity of food offered at specific times during the day
“Best” feeding method

5. Factors that Affect Energy Requirements
Growth
Lactation
Stress
Physical exertion
Breed
Environmental conditions
Age

6. Types Cats are true carnivores Dogs are omnivores
Protein is their primary energy source
Dogs are omnivores
Carbs are their primary energy source

7. Body Conditioning Score Chart
Body conditioning score chart should be used
Scoring chart range may be from 1-5 or 1-6
1=thinnest
5 or 6= fattest

9. 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

10. Getting them to eat 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

11. Getting them to eat cont.
Direct IV infusion
Should be introduced gradually
1/3 total calories per day on day 1
2/3 total calories per day on day 2
Total calories on day 3

12. Pet Food Label 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

13. 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

14. Guaranteed Analysis Minimum or maximum % of certain nutrients
Crude protein
Crude fat
Crude fiber
Moisture
Don’t use GA to compare foods
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
Allows for a more accurate comparison of foods
We will do conversions

15. Ingredients Panel 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

16. Recommendations
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.
Snacks, treats and therapeutic diets do not require nutritional statements

17. Nutritional Requirements of Each Life Stage Cont.
Gestation and lactation
Similar to the neonate
Young dogs (neonates and puppies)
Colostrum
milk that provides maternal antibodies
First hours after parturition
Provides immunity

18. Nutritional Requirements of Each Life Stage Cont.
Neonates should be weighed daily for first 2 weeks
Puppies should gain 2-4 g/day/kg or 1-2 g/day/lb
Growth fed for first year
Large breed puppies
Overfed
Imbalance between Ca/P (can cause bone probs)
Adult dogs (1-7 years)
Treats or snacks should not exceed 10% diet

19. Nutritional Requirements of Each Life Stage Cont.
Geriatric dogs
Organs can not tolerate nutrient excesses or deficiencies
CDS cognitive dysfunction syndrome similar
to Alzheimer’s in humans
Diet should include
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)

20. Nutritional Requirements of Each Life Stage Cont.
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)

21. FLUTD Feline lower urinary tract disease
describes number of conditions associated with feline lower urinary tract.
1%-6% cats seen in hospitals
Clinical signs
Urethral obstruction
Inappropriate urination
Dietary management important

22. 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

23. The Start to Good Nutrition
The End
The Start to Good Nutrition