NUTRITION - Small Animal Nutrition

Question 1

How many essential amino acids are required in a dog diet?

Answer 1

10 essential amino acids

Question 2

How many essential amino acids are required in a cat diet?

Answer 2

11 essential amino acids

Question 3

Which extra essential amino acid is required in a cat diet compared to dogs?

Answer 3

Taurine is an essential amino acid required in cats compared to dogs

Question 4

Where is taurine found?

Answer 4

Taurine is found only in animal tissue

Question 5

List three consequences of taurine deficiency in cats

Answer 5

Feline central retinal degeneration
Feline dilated cardiomyopathy
Poor reproduction and growth

Question 6

What does it mean if a protein has a high biological value?

Answer 6

A protein with a high biological value means the protein closely matches the animals requirements and are highly digestible

Question 7

What is a food that has an 100% biological value for protein

Answer 7

Egg has an 100% biological value for protein

Question 8

How much more dietary protein do cats need compared to dogs?

Answer 8

Cats need two times the amount of dietary protein compared to dogs

Question 9

Which enzymes in the liver convert amino acids into glucose as an energy source in cats?

Answer 9

Transaminase and deaminase enzymes

Question 10

What are the risks of feeding an older animal a high protein diet?

Answer 10

High protein diets can be damaging to patients with kidney problems, therefore, an excess of dietary protein should be avoided in older pets where kidney disease is more prevalent than in younger animals

Question 11

Which molecule makes up dietary fats?

Answer 11

Triglycerides make up dietary fats

Question 12

Why is dietary fat the most efficient source of energy?

Answer 12

Dietary fat has 2.25 times as much energy per gram compared to carbohydrates or proteins

Question 13

What are the two essential fatty acids required in dogs?

Answer 13

Alpha linoleic acid
Linoleic acid

Question 14

What are the three essential fatty acids required in cats?

Answer 14

Alpha linoleic acid
Linoleic acid
Arachidonic acid

Question 15

What are the main consequences of inadequate fat intake in animals?

Answer 15

Poor growth
Weight loss
Poor reproductive performance
Poor skin and coat condition

Question 16

What are the three main groups of carbohydrates?

Answer 16

Monosaccharides
Disaccharides
Polysaccharides

Question 17

Is there a minimum requirement for carbohydrates in the diet?

Answer 17

No, there is no minimum requirement for carbohydrates in the diet

Question 18

Why do cats require a low carbohydrate diet?

Answer 18

Cats require a low carbohydrate diet due to having few glucokinase enzymes which limits the ability to metabolise large amounts of simple carbohydrates

Question 19

What are the main benefits of fibre in the diet?

Answer 19

Fibre maintains colon health, preventing constipation and diarrhoea

Question 20

What is one way to treat idiopathic colitis in dogs and cats?

Answer 20

Idiopathic colitis can be treated through increasing the fibre quantity in the diet

Question 21

What are the three non-energy producing nutrients?

Answer 21

Vitamins
Minerals
Water

Question 22

What is calcium required for in the small animal diet?

Answer 22

Calcium is required for skeletal and dental formation

Question 23

What are some of the consequences of excess calcium intake?

Answer 23

Hip dysplasia
Skeletal abnormalities

Question 24

What are two important diseases that can be caused by excess phosphorus intake?

Answer 24

• Nutritional secondary Hyperparathyroidism
• Renal secondary Hyperparathyroidism

Question 25

An increase in which mineral has shown to increase the progression of renal disease?

Answer 25

Increased phosphorus has shown to increase the progression of renal disease

Question 26

What is the best diet to feed a dog in renal failure?

Answer 26

Low phosphorus, low protein and high digestibility

Question 27

What is sodium required for in the small animal diet?

Answer 27

Sodium is required for the regulation of fluid balance

Question 28

What are some of the consequences of excess sodium intake?

Answer 28

Hypertension Cardiac and renal disease

Question 29

What are some of the consequences of a sodium deficiency?

Answer 29

Vomiting and diarrhoea due to excess fluid loss

Question 30

What are the four fat soluble vitamins?

Answer 30

Vitamin A Vitamin D Vitamine E Vitamin K

Question 31

What are the two water soluble vitamins?

Answer 31

Vitamin B Vitamin C

Question 32

Why do cats require pre-formed vitamin A in their diet?

Answer 32

Cats require pre-formed vitamin A as they lack β-carotene dioxygenase which converts β-carotene into vitamin A

Question 33

Do cats and dogs require a dietary source of vitamin C?

Answer 33

No, dogs and cats can synthesise their own vitamin C from other dietary sources

Question 34

Why is vitamin E important in the diet?

Answer 34

Antioxidant For cell membrane integrity

Question 35

What are the benefits of antioxidants in the diet?

Answer 35

Antioxidants prevent disease by preventing cellular damage by free radicals and thus boost the immune system

Question 36

Give four examples of dietary antioxidants

Answer 36

Vitamin E Vitamin C Cobalt (Co) Selenium (Se)

Question 37

What are prebiotics?

Answer 37

Prebiotics are a non-digestible food ingredient that promotes the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the intestines/gut

Question 38

What are probiotics?

Answer 38

Probiotics are live microorganisms that when ingested are intended to exert beneficial effects beyond that of their nutritional value

Question 39

What is a 'complete' diet in manufactured pet food?

Answer 39

A 'complete' diet is a nutritionally adequate diet that can be fed alone

Question 40

What is a 'complimentary' diet in manufactured pet food?

Answer 40

A 'complimentary' diet is a diet which does not meet nutritional requirements alone and is intended as a mixer or a snack

Question 41

Why should the percentage of nutrients in manufactured foods be calculated on a dry matter basis rather than on an 'as fed' basis?

Answer 41

The percentage of nutrients in manufactured foods should be calculated on a dry matter basis as this displays the nutrient content of food without the moisture factor

Question 42

What is the calculation used to calculate nutrient percentage on a dry matter basis?

Answer 42

(% Nutrients as fed / % Dry matter) x 100

Question 43

What should be considered before feeding a pet a home prepared diet?

Answer 43

A home prepared diet needs to be formulated carefully and researched thoroughly as there is a danger of nutrient imbalance if done incorrectly

Question 44

What are some of the risks of vegetarian/vegan small animal diets?

Answer 44

Lower digestibility Risk of amino acid and vitamin deficiencies

Question 45

Define resting energy requirement (RER)

Answer 45

The resting energy requirement (RER) is the energy required by a normal animal at rest in a thermoneutral environment

Question 46

How do you calculate the resting energy requirement (RER)?

Answer 46

RER = (30 x Body weight (BW) in kg) + 70

Question 47

Define energy maintenance requirement

Answer 47

Energy maintenance requirement is the amount of energy used by a moderately active adult animals in thermoneutral conditions on a daily basis

Question 48

What is the ideal body condition score for a dog?

Answer 48

Between 4 and 5

Question 49

What are some of the consequences of obesity in small animals?

Answer 49

Predisposition to other diseases Decreased quality of life Effect on lifespan Decreased physical activity

Question 50

What are some of the ways that obesity can be prevented?

Answer 50

- Discussion about proper feeding and body condition scoring with owners -Yearly wellness visits noting body condition score and body weight

Question 51

What is the most important nutrient for lactation?

Answer 51

Water is the most important nutrient for lactation