Review - Hills SAM Nutrition p1

Question 1

Essential nutrient is…

Answer 1

Any required nutrient that cannot be synthesized in the body & must be obtained from the food.

Question 2

Energy content vs Energy density

Answer 2

Proportion of energy producing nutrients to the weight of food determines its energy content or energy density.
- Water has no energy value, so a food with a high moisture content will usually have a low energy density.

Question 3

What is the most important nutrient?

Answer 3

WATER! If there is a 15% water loss, death will occur.

Question 4

How much water in a day should an animal consume?

Answer 4

The amount of water an animal should consume per day (in ml) is roughly equivalent to its daily energy intake in kilocalories.
An animal must consume approximately 50 kcal per kg of body weight. Therefore, a 4 kg cat would need 200 kcal, thus, 200 ml of water intake.

Question 5

When does a pet need extra water? (7)

Answer 5

1. Increased temperature of the surroundings (causes panting and loss of moisture)
2. Lactation
3. Increased body temperature
4. Polyuria (increased urine production)
5. Diarrhea
6. Vomiting
7. Severe bleeding

Question 6

Which of the six nutrients are energy producing? Select all that apply.
1. Water
2. Protein
3. Carbs
4. Minerals
5. Fats
6. Vitamins

Answer 6

Protein, Fats, & Carbs

Question 7

Which nutrient is most important in lactation, polyuria, or vomiting?

Answer 7

Water!

Question 8

What are carbohydrates? (3)

Answer 8

1. Simple sugars
2. Oligosaccharides
3. Polysaccharides

Question 9

Function of simple carbohydrates and starches: (4)

Answer 9

1. Provide energy.
2. Produce heat when they are metabolized for energy.
3. Can be used as building blocks for other nutrients (e.g., certain amino acids, lactose [the sugar in milk], and vitamin C).
4. Provide storage of energy in the form of glycogen or fat.

Question 10

Why is healthy gut biome important for animal digestion?

Answer 10

Sugars in starches are linked in such a way that the enzymes in mammals’ digestive systems can break them down. Sugars in fibre are linked so that only enzymes from bacteria can break them down.

Question 11

Function of fiber: (3)

Answer 11

1. To promote and regulate normal bowel function:
   - In dogs with slow transit time, fiber shortens it.
   - In dogs with rapid transit time, fiber increases it.
2. To help maintain the health of the colon, e.g., by providing fuel for cells
3. To provide substrate or energy for growth of beneficial gut microbes

Question 12

Fiber increases ___ and water in the intestinal content, which means that fiber helps prevent both ___ and ___. Remember that a pet with constipation needs to drink lots of ___ for the fiber to have an effect.

Answer 12

1. Bulk
2. Constipation & diarrhea
3. Water