DOG & CAT CARE & NUTRITION KNOWLEDGE AND RESPECT DOG AND CAT FIRST

DOG & CAT CARE & NUTRITION KNOWLEDGE AND RESPECT DOG AND CAT FIRST

Factors which determine palatability: SMELL 10 million Olfactory receptors (millions) Smell is dominant

Factors which determine palatability: TASTE A dog s sense of taste is very basic

SALIVA Presence of digestive enzymes: YES Dogs NO Saliva does not play a role in digestion

LENGTH OF FEEDING TIME Around one hour From 3 to less than 1 minute per 100 g ingested DOGS = FAST EATERS!

A DOG S DIGESTIVE TUBE Weight of digestive tube compared to Body weight 10% Man 2.7-7% Dog Length of Digestion 30h-5days Man 12-30hr Dog Dogs have a shorter digestion time than man

Please remember Dogs are gluttons 1 to 3 meals per day. Smells, chooses and consumes in just a few minutes. Some simple principles of canine nutrition : very digestible food. 2 meals per day. At regular times. A stable balanced diet. Calm meal times. No exercise immediately after eating.

Factors which determine palatability: SMELL 3 to 10 cm2 10 million olfactory cells 20 cm2 60 to 65 million olfactory cells Drop in sense of smell Cats Refuse to eat

Factors which determine palatability: TASTE 9000 taste buds 500 taste buds Cats have difficulty perceiving sweet tastes

SALIVA Presence of digestive enzymes YES NO Cats Saliva plays no role in digestion

LENGTH OF FEEDING TIME Around one hour Many small meals Cats have a different lifestyle

The ethogram of the cat Play Exploration Observation Hunting Eating Grooming Marking Sleeping (G Muller)

Cats are tasters Please remember On average 10 meals per day (1 to 26) lasting 2 mins. 5 to 6 g per meal (2 to 26 g). Around 1 to 8 g/minute. Some simple principles of feline nutrition: Very digestible food. Adapted to age, sex and activity level. Food freely available but a fixed daily quantity. A stable balanced diet.

Sensitivity of the puppy Fragility of digestive system Immaturity of immune system Osteo-articular risk Risk of obesity

Differences in rate and length of growth Length of growth: From 8 months for small dogs to 24 months for large dogs. Overfeeding during growth Risk of obesity in small and medium-size dogs Bone problems in large and giant-size dogs (over 25 kg)

Sensivities in adulthood Digestive fragility Monitor weight gain Osteo-articular risks Skin fragility Ageing

The danger of Calcium A generally accepted idea Industrial food is too low in calcium; calcium must be added otherwise my puppy will not grow correctly, and his ears will not straighten up. Calcium content in dog food for growing dogs is adapted to their requirements and to the breed. As for ears, cartilage does not fix calcium!

Predisposition to parodontal disease The Mini dog is predisposed to oral-health problems (n 1 reason for veterinary visits) Appearance of tartar From 8 months Loosening From 4 years Bone lesions of the jaw

Predisposition to obesity Almost 1/3 of large breeds have a tendency to put on weight, particularly such breeds as :. the Labrador, the Golden Retriever, the Brie Shepherd, the Old English Sheepdog,. Sterilized dogs Risks linked to obesity : - dermatological problems - bone and joint problems - cardiovascular disease - diabetes - immune deficiency - increased risks if anesthesia necessary

Objection! A generally accepted idea My dog is elderly and I don t want to change his dietary habits. Ageing leads to less effective assimilation, which necessitates: more digestible food, with added vitamins E and C to fight cellular ageing and reduced phosphorous to protect the kidneys.

Please remember To feed a dog correctly, the following must be taken into consideration: Age : growth, adulthood, old-age. Risk profile. Size and weight. Activity level: sedentary, walks, hunting, etc.

The Cat: A mammal, a carnivore and a big sleeper Gestation around 2 months. Suckling for around 50 days. A real carnivore. Life-expectancy between 15 and 20 years. Active at sunset and sunrise.

The cat: main characteristics Cat Life expectancy Growth Gestation Weight Teeth 15-20 years 8-12 months Linear weight gain 4 kg on average (2 to 12 kg according to breeds) 30, all sharp

The cat: main characteristics Risk of bladder stones if inappropriate diet Strict carnivores Low tolerance of starch : adult < 35% Taurine : Amino acid essential for sight, heart and growth Lactose tolerance : 2/3 of adult cats no longer tolerate the natural sugar in milk at adult age

Cat s don t chew Predisposition to oral health problems Dental plaque Tartar build up Gingivitis Difficulties of prehension Bad breath

Taurine: an amino-acid essential to cats Found in ingredients of animal origin 250-500mg 2-3 x daily Sources are meat and chicken, fish, seafood & eggs In case of deficiency : Degeneration of the retina Cardiac insufficiency Troubles in reproduction and growth

The Cat: a carnivore A generally accepted idea Cats are carnivores and should only eat meat and liver. A carnivore does not only eat the muscles of its prey, it begins by the intestines which contain cereals. A meat only diet would not be balanced for cats.

Cats and milk A generally accepted idea My cat needs milk daily. 2/3 of adult cats cannot digest lactose (natural sugar in milk), which can provoke loose stools or diarrhoea.

Cats should not be fed like small dogs Dog food is - Too weak in proteins and fats. - Too rich in starch. - Lacking in urinary acidifiers. The Cat : small quantities of food several times per day.

Please remember To feed a cat correctly, it is necessary to take into account: Breed and biology. Age : growth, adulthood, old-age. Sexual status: sterilized or not

How much Do I Need to feed? It is vital that you know the size, age, breed and activity level Puppy or adult Neutered or not

We recommend at least a 7-day transition before you begin feeding the new food exclusively. This allows your pet s digestive system to smoothly adapt to the new food. On the 7th day, you can feed the new food exclusively.

Q & A s

Q & A s How many taste buds does a human have? How Many taste buds does a dog have? How Many taste buds does a cat have? 9000 1700 500

Q & A s Dogs are gluttons. What does this mean?

Q & A s

CONCLUSION Responsible for domesticating dogs and cats, it is man s duty to feed them in line with their own specific needs, and not just with man s projections. This is the first rule of true respect for the animal. Professor Dominique Grandjean