Nutritional management and disease prevention in healthy dogs and cats

Abstract

Healthy animals normally eat sufficient food to satisfy their energy requirements. It is one of the jobs of the nutritionist to ensure that all other nutrient needs have been met when animals stop eating because they have met their energy needs. While dogs and cats are members of the biological order Carnivora, scientific observation and research support that differences in their metabolism and nutritional requirements exist. However, the goal in feeding both species is the same; to optimize the health and well-being of the individual. This approach results in dietary recommendations that will vary from individual animal to animal, based on a variety of factors that include the animal's signalment, occupation and environment. Feeding approaches vary between the two species and within the same species during different physiological life stages. However, the practice of feeding to maintain a lean body condition is a common goal. The maintenance of a lean body condition has been proven to increase both the quantity and quality of life in dogs. Currently, similar data does not exist in cats but is suspected to hold true. Each dog and cat's feeding program should be assessed routinely and adjustments made as indicated based on the animal's body condition, life stage and general health.

Effects of Two Commercial Diets on Several Reproductive Parameters in Bitches: Note Two—Lactation and Puppies’ Performance

“…The performance registered in puppies (e.g., perinatal mortality, body weight, and daily weight gain) during the first month are in line with the range indicated by Fascetti [ 23 ] who suggested a mean daily weight gain of 2–4 g/day/kg of adult weight for the first 5 months of life as correct growth performance, with the highest growth rate during the first month.…”

“…Importantly, all bitches did not gain too much bodyweight during pregnancy (no more than 15–25% of initial weight in function of litter size), thus limiting excessive weight at the end of pregnancy (into the range of 5–10%) indicated as ideal by Greco [ 7 ]. On the other hand, excessive weight loss during lactation, due to the negative energy balance that may occur after delivery [ 22 ], could represent a metabolic risk [ 23 ]. Indeed, lactation is the stage in a dog’s life during which energy deficiencies are immediately evident as weight loss and BCS reduction [ 24 ].…”

Utilisation of supplementedl-carnitine for fuel efficiency, as an antioxidant, and for muscle recovery in Labrador retrievers

“…The increased LM in the Labrador retrievers in experiment 2 may help prevent an increase in fat deposition, which is important for many life stages of dogs. Maintaining lean body mass in growing puppies can help prevent future obesity, as well as prevent the possible loss of LM as the dog ages ( 19 ) . l -Carnitine may prevent the loss of LM during increased activity and weight reduction, which is important for the long-term maintenance of optimum body condition ( 20 ) .…”