Lecture 14 - Pet Food Trends & Science Behind The Marketing Flashcards
(43 cards)
What are some of the most common pet food ingredients known to induce an adverse (allergic) reaction?
Beef, chicken, corn, wheat, cow’s milk, soy, eggs, and fish
True or False: Despite some pet food ingredients being known as common “allergens”, there is not actually any elevated antigenicity in these food ingredients and any antigen may cause an equivalent adverse response
True
True or False: IgE/IgM/IgA tests in blood or saliva and intradermal tests are the most accurate methods to identify specific food sensitivities in pets
False; these tests are often inaccurate, and it is more effective to do an elimination diet to narrow down the possibilities
True or False: There is no substantial nutritional difference between GMO and non-GMO food
True
True or False: Dogs and cats are unable to digest or absorb carbohydrates
False; cats and dogs CAN digest and absorb carbohydrates
Cats are constantly undergoing _______________. Additionally, the have lower _____________ activity and are slowly at clearing glucose from their body.
Gluconeogenesis; glucokinase
What are some benefits of fiber in obligate carnivores?
Prebiotic, promotes satiety, protection, and regulation of GI transit
What is included under the umbrella of “meat by-products”?
Certain carcasses/parts rejected for human use, such as meat that does not meat aesthetic standards or internal organs (like liver, heart, kidney, etc.)
What beneficial vitamins and minerals can livers, kidneys, and hearts provide in the diet?
Liver = B vitamins, vitamin A, copper, zinc, choline
Kidney = B vitamins, vitamin A, selenium, potassium
Heart = B vitamins, copper, iron, magnesium
Which dogs and cats may be negatively affected by by-products in food, and why?
Dogs and cats in liver failure - purine content is high in foods containing by-products
What is the theory behind the raw food diet, in terms of what makes it beneficial to the animal?
Raw/gently cooked food is higher in antioxidants due to increased processing and increased surface exposure of the meats to air - it is believed these antioxidant chemicals and beneficial living enzymes are destroyed with high heat
What are the known health risks of feeding dogs raw?
High risk of salmonella and coliforms from contaminated raw meat
True or False: There is high zoonotic risk linked to feeding raw, because dogs can shed salmonella bacteria in their feces for up to 2 weeks after being infected
True
True or False: Feeding frozen raw diets rather than fresh raw diets will eliminate the risk of bacteria or parasitic infection from the food
False; studies have proven that frozen raw meat based diets very often contain zoonotic parasites or bacteria that can cause illness/infection (E. Coli most commonly)
What are some of the AVMA’s recommendations in regards to feeding dogs and cats a raw diet?
(Multiple answers)
- Avoid feeding inadequately treated animal-source protein
- Restrict access to carrion/carcasses
- Feed fresh, clean, and nutritionally balanced home-cooked or commercial foods
- Dispose of uneaten food at least once daily
- Practice good hygiene before and after feedings
Toxoplasma and Brucella are both serious health concerns associated with feeding…
Raw food
True or False: It is very possible for a dog to live healthily on a vegetarian or vegan diet, as long as the diets are balanced and still meet the dietary needs of the dog
True
(Digestibility and bioavailability are important to consider too!)
Why are vegetarian and vegan diets highly discouraged for cats, more so than dogs?
- Cats are obligate carnivores and many of their essential nutrients come from meat
- Lack of meat in the diet can lead to serious deficiencies, namely taurine, B1, and methionine
True or False: A diet with high added phosphorus can eventually cause micoaluminuria, glycosuria, and kidney failure in cats
True
(according to several studies)
What are the downsides of preparing and feeding home-cooked diets in place of feeding commercial diets?
- Usually more time consuming and expensive
- Need to be complete/balanced (can be hard to achieve)
There are approximately ____ essential nutrients for dogs and cats
40
What factors does the NRC take into account when determining if a diet is balanced or not?
- Minimum requirement (MR)
- Recommended allowance (RA)
- Safe Upper Limit (SUL)
What are some proposed issues with home-cooked diet recipes created by non-veterinary professionals?
- Unbalanced
- High likelihood for deficiencies (1 or more, some severe)
- Vague/require assumptions (high possibility for unsafe substitutions by pet owners)
What are the three most common vitamin/mineral deficiencies found in home-cooked diets?
Zinc, vitamin D, and choline
