This document discusses small animal nutrition and the iterative process of clinical nutrition for dogs and cats. It covers assessing the animal, food, and feeding method and then developing a feeding plan. Key parts of the assessment include signalment, medical history, diagnostics, and physical exam including body condition scoring. The document reviews calculating energy requirements, important nutrients like protein, fat, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. It also covers life stage nutrition needs for growth, reproduction/lactation, adults, seniors and the special considerations for large breed dogs.

1. Small Animal Nutrition
Nutrition of Dogs and Cats

2. The Iterative Process
Two step clinical
nutrition process
Step 1:
Assess the patient,
food and feeding
method
Step 2:
Develop feeding plan
including food
choice and feeding
method
Animal
Food
Feeding
Method
ASSESSMENT
Food
Feeding
Method
FEEDING PLAN

3. Iterative Process
Factors in Patient Assessment
Signalment: species, breed, age, gender,
neuter status, activity level,
environment
Medical History: medical conditions, vaccines,
surgeries, medications
Diagnostics: blood chemistry, radiographs
Physical Exam: abnormalities, BCS

4. Body Condition Scoring
Subjective method of assessing an animal’s fat
stores
Fat cover is evaluated over the ribs, down the
topline, around the tail base and along the
abdomen
1 2 4 5
EMACIATED THIN
3
IDEAL OVERWEIGHT OBESE
PALPATION IS KEY!

5. © Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc.
Body Condition Scoring

6. © Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc.
Body Condition Scoring

7. Iterative Process: Dietary History
What Do You Need to Know About
the Animal’s Dietary History?
 Brand of Food
 Form of Food
 Feeding Method & Frequency
 Treats?
 Table food?…

8. Review of Nutrients
• Water
• Carbohydrates
• Protein
• Fat
• Minerals
• Vitamins
• Antioxidants*
Energy
Producing
Nutrients

9. Review of Basic Nutrients:
Water
As fed
Nutrients are
calculated as a
percentage of the
product including
water
Dry matter basis
Nutrients are
calculated as a
percentage of the
product without the
water
Vs.
Nutrients in food…

10. Which Has More Protein?
Moist Product
• 75% moisture
• 10% protein
• 8% fat
• 9% CHO
Dry Product
• 10% moisture
• 18% protein
• 12% fat
• 32% CHO

11. Review of Basic Nutrients:
Water
For Moist Products the percentage of nutrients
on a Dry Matter Basis (DMB)
equals approximately
4x the percent on an as fed basis
Moist Product – as fed
• 75% moisture
• 10% protein
• 8% fat
• 9% CHO
This product contains ~40% protein DMB

12. Review of Basic Nutrients:
Water
Dry Product – as fed
• 10% moisture
• 18% protein
• 12% fat
• 32% CHO
For Dry Products the percentage of nutrients on
a Dry Matter Basis equals approximately
10% more than the percent on an as fed basis
This product contains ~20% protein DMB

13. • Energy source
 Conditionally essential
23% for gestation and lactation in dogs
 Cats are different
• Provides form to dry and canned food
• Increases food volume
• Reduces cost
Review of Basic Nutrients:
Carbohydrates

14. Benefits of Insoluble
Carbohydrates
 “Normalize” bowel transit time
 Increase satiety
 Provide probiotics for intestinal health
Review of Basic Nutrients -
Carbohydrates
Soluble Insoluble “Fiber”
Sugars
Starches
…etc.
Beet pulp
Cellulose
Soybean hulls
…etc.

15. Review of Basic Nutrients -
Proteins
• Tissue Building
• Growth
• Hormones
• Enzymes
• Blood Cells
• Antibodies
• Energy source
Comprised of Amino Acids

16. Amino Acids of Special Concern
Arginine
(Essential)
Immune system stimulant; key in
management of dogs with cancer
Taurine
(Essential in
cats)
Critical for retinal and cardiac muscle
development in cats; Conditionally
essential in Newfoundlands
Carnitine
(Conditionally
essential)
Improves fat metabolism, builds lean
body tissue, make mitochondria more
efficient

17. AAFCO
Association of AmericanAssociation of American
Feed Control OfficialsFeed Control Officials
Nutrient Profiles forNutrient Profiles for
dogs and catsdogs and cats
 minimum nutrient valuesminimum nutrient values
required at different liferequired at different life
stagesstages
 some maximumsome maximum valuesvalues

18. Review of Basic Nutrients -
Proteins
AAFCO PROTEIN minimums - DMB
Adult Dog – 18%
Puppy – 22%
Adult Cat – 26%
Kitten – 30%

19. Review of Basic Nutrients - Fat
AAFCO FAT minimums - DMB
Adult Dog – 5%
Puppy – 8%
Adult Cat – 9%
Kitten – 9%

20. Review of Basic Nutrients – Minerals
Minerals of Special Concern in Dogs & Cats
MineralMineral Diseases ExacerbatedDiseases Exacerbated
Sodium Heart failure
Hypertension
Kidney disease
Calcium Skeletal disease (pups)
Bladder stones
Phosphorus Kidney failure
Skeletal disease
Bladder stones
Magnesium Struvite bladder stones

21. What Determines How Much
an Animal Eats?
Energy Needs
+
• Palatability
• Competition
• Reward
• Attention
• …

22. Energy Needs
• Growth
• Reproduction/
lactation
• Activity level
• Breed
• Temperament
• Environmental
conditions

23. Calculating Energy Requirements
RER – Resting Energy Requirement
 Measure of the amount of energy needed
based on animal’s metabolic body size
Formula:
Expressed in kilocalories
RER = 30 x BW(kg) +70
STEP 1

24. DER = Daily Energy Requirement
 An animal’s RER multiplied by a factor that
accounts for the animal’s life stage or life style
DER Factor = Numeric value that accounts for
life stage, neuter status, life style, body
condition, gestation or lactation
Calculating Energy Requirements
STEP 2
DER = RER x DER factor

25. Calculating Energy Needs
What You Need to Know About the
Animal Before You Calculate:
 Age
 Neuter Status
 Current Weight
 Target Weight
(if not at ideal weight)

26. How Much Will We Feed
Gracie Whitesox?
“Gracie Whitesox”
3yrs; Female(N) Maine Coon; Wt. 11lbs; BCS 3/5

27. 1. Calculate RER: 30 x (BW in kg) +70
Calculating Gracie’s Energy Needs

28. 1. Calculate RER: 30 x (BW in kg) +70
30 x (11 ÷ 2.2) + 70
Calculating Gracie’s Energy Needs

29. 1. Calculate RER: 30 x (BW in kg) +70
30 x (11 ÷ 2.2) + 70
30 x (5)+70 = 220 kcals
Calculating Gracie’s Energy Needs

30. 1. Calculate RER: 30 x (BW in kg) +70
30 x (11 ÷ 2.2) + 70
30 x 5+70 = 220 kcal
2. Calculate DER:
Average, neutered feline adult =
(Use DER factors provided in notes)
Calculating Gracie’s Energy Needs

31. 1. Calculate RER: 30 x (BW in kg) +70
30 x (11 ÷ 2.2) + 70
30 x 5+70 = 220 kcal
2. Calculate DER: (Use DER factors provided in notes)
Average, neutered feline adult =
1.2 x RER
Calculating Gracie’s Energy Needs

32. 1. Calculate RER: 30 x (BW in kg) +70
30 x (11 ÷ 2.2) + 70
30 x 5+70 = 220 kcal
2. Calculate DER: (Use DER factors provided in notes)
Average, neutered feline adult =
1.2 x RER
1.2 x 220 = 264 kcals per day
Gracie should have 264 kcals per day
Calculating Gracie’s Energy Needs

33. 3. Find the food’s metabolizable energy:
ex: Purina®
Cat Chow®
Indoor Formula =
379 kcal per cup
4. Divide Gracie’s DER by the #kcal per cup/can of
food
DER = 264 ÷ 379 = ~3/4 cup per dayGracie should eat ~3/4 cup of cat food per day
Gracie’s DER is 264 kcal per day
How much food should she eat per day?
Calculating Gracie’s Energy Needs

34. How Much
Should
Breeze
Eat?
11-years old M(N)
Shetland Sheepdog, 21# BCS 3/5

35. What information about Breeze
do you need?
• Current weight ( 35 pounds)
• Overweight? Underweight ( BCS 3/5)
• Diet ( Beneful 365 calories per cup)
• Treats? ( no)
• Activity level ( so you can choose DER) normal
active adult
• Special considerations such as diabetes,
kidney disease, sensitive stomach ( none)
• neutered

36. 1. Calculate RER: 30 x (BW in kg) +70
2. Convert 35 pounds to kilograms so you can put it
in the formula
3. 35 pounds X 1 kilogram/2.2 pounds
4. 35 divided by 2.2 equals 15.9kilograms
Calculating Breeze’s Energy Needs

37. 1. Calculate RER: 30 x (BW in kg) +70
30 x (35 /2.2) + 70
Calculating Breeze’s Energy Needs

38. 1. Calculate RER: 30 x (BW in kg) +70
30 x (11 ÷ 2.2) + 70
30 x (15.9)+70 = 547 kcals
Calculating Breeze’s Energy Needs

39. 1. Calculate RER: 30 x (BW in kg) +70
30 x (11 ÷ 2.2) + 70
30 x (15.9)+70 = 547 kcal
2. Calculate DER:
Average, neutered canine adult = 1.6 DER
(Use DER factors provided in notes)
Calculating Breeze’s Energy Needs

40. 1. Calculate RER: 30 x (BW in kg) +70
30 x (11 ÷ 2.2) + 70
30 x 5+70 = 547 kcal
2. Calculate DER: (Use DER factors provided in notes)
Average, neutered canine adult =
1.6 x RER
Calculating Breeze’s Energy Needs

41. 1. Calculate RER: 30 x (BW in kg) +70
30 x (11 ÷ 2.2) + 70
30 x (15.9)+70 = 547 kcal
2. Calculate DER: (Use DER factors provided in notes)
Average, neutered canine adult =
1.6 x RER
1.6 x 547 = 875 kcals per day
Breeze should have 875 kcals per day
Calculating Breeze’s Energy Needs

42. 3. Find the food’s metabolizable energy:
ex: Beneful adult=
365 kcal per cup
4. Divide Breeze’s DER by the #kcal per cup/can of
food
DER = 875 ÷ 365 = ~2.4 cup per dayBreezee should eat ~2.4 cups of food per day
Breezes’s DER is 875 kcal per day
How much food should he eat per day?
Calculating Breeze’s Energy Needs

43. Life Stage &
Lifestyle Nutrition
Source: Geneva Acor

44. Life Stage Feeding
The practice of feeding
animals foods designed to
meet their optimal nutritional
needs at a specific age or
physiologic state
Feeding an animal above
or below their optimal
nutritional level can
negatively affect their health.
“Cowboy” 5 mos.

45. Different Life Stages =
Different Nutritional Requirements
• Growth, Reproduction & Lactation
Small & Medium Breeds vs. Large Breeds
• Adult
• Senior

46. Small Animal Clinical Nutrition
Nutrient Profiles Published For
 Dogs and Cats
 Recommended Nutrient Ranges
(OPTIMAL LEVELS)
 All Life Stages
On reserve in Library

47. Life Stage: Adult

48. Recommended
3500
Kcal/kg
AAFCO Minimum
Calories/Energy Fat Calcium PhosphorusProtein
2.5% 1.6%
0.5%0.6%5%18%
.4%-.9%
.5%-1.0%
10-20%15-30%
3500 - 4500
Kcal/kg
Life Stage: Adult – Canine
Image Source: Dr. Geneva Acor, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc.

49. What Defines
a Large
Breed Dog?
ANY DOG WHOSE
IDEAL ADULT
WEIGHT IS 55#
OR MORE

50. Life Stage: Large Breed Adult
Carnitine
 Increases & improves
fat metabolism
 Supports healthy heart
Glucosamine & Chondroitin
 Helps maintain healthy joints

51. Life Stage: Adult - Feline
Recommended
4000
Kcal/kg
AAFCO Minimum
Calories/Energy Fat Calcium PhosphorusProtein
0.5%0.04%9%26%
0.5%-0.8%
0.04-0.1%
10-30%30-45%
4000 - 5000
Kcal/kg
Source: Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc.

52. Taurine
 Essential Amino Acid;
Helps maintain normal
heart function, retinal
structure, and
reproduction and
development
Magnesium
 Avoid excesses
Life Stage: Adult - Feline

53. How Much Food
Does Bevo Need?
“Bevo” 2yrs old;
•M(N) 40# BCS 3/5
•Average activity level
•Eats Purina ONE™
Beef & Rice Formula
441 kcals/cup
RER
RER = 30 x (BWkg) +70
DER
Factor
Pg. 15
DER
# cups
to be
fed/day
616 kcals
1.6
1.6 x 616 kcals =
986 kcals
986 kcals per day
441 kcals/cup = 2¼ cups

54. Choose a dog or cat that you
own or a friend owns
• Use the previous
slide to fill in the
information on the
pet and calculate the
amount of food the
pet should be eating.
• If you are having
trouble with these
calculations, please
email me for help.

55. Life Stage: Growth
Carly, 5 months
Amanda Adels
“Maisey” 8 months
Stephanie Caviglia

56. Life Stage: Puppies & Kittens
As Compared with Adult Nutritional Needs
PROTEIN
PHOSPHORUS
CALCIUM
FAT
Carbohydrates

57. Life Stage: Large Breed Puppy

58. Life Stage: Large Breed Puppy
As Compared with Small/Medium Breed Puppies
PROTEIN
PHOSPHORUS
CALCIUM
FAT
CHO

59. Ben, 8-year old, mixed breed

60. Pre-surgical radiographPre-surgical radiograph
Ben, 8-year old, mixed breed

61. Post-surgical radiographPost-surgical radiograph
Ben, 8-year old, mixed breed

62. What Purina Learned…
The Purina Life Span Study
 14 year study (1987 – 2001)
 Purpose: “Evaluate the effects of food intake on
body condition…and life span.”
www.purinavets.com
User name: purinavets
Password: nutrition
Search: Life Span Study
JAVMA, Vol. 220, No. 9, May 1, 2002

63. Life Span Study Parameters
• 48 Labrador Retrievers
• Paired by sex and weight and assigned at random
to control or limit-fed group
• Followed for 14 years
• Evaluated radiographs for osteoarthritis
Obesity & Skeletal Disease

64. Control
Group
Limit-fed
Group
Hip joint lesions 15/22 3/21
Shoulder joint lesions 19/22 12/21
Clinical Findings
JAVMA, Vol. 220, No. 9, May 1, 2002

65. Clinical Findings
Feeding dogs to a leaner body
condition increases their life span
and reduces incidences of
osteopathies
Excess Fat/
Energy Density

66.  11 Great Dane pups (5 - 10 weeks old)
 Fed free choice for 1 hour twice daily
 5 fed food with 1.1% Calcium
 6 fed food with 3.3% Calcium
Beware Excessive Calcium in Large
Breed Dog Diets
JAAHA, 21:377 1985JAAHA, 21:377 1985
Excess Calcium

67. 1.18% Ca 3.3% Ca
Excessive Calcium
Hazewinkle, Thesis, Utrecht 1985

68. Life Stage:
Reproduction/Lactation
Baby & PupsBaby & Pups

69. Life Stage: Canine
Reproduction/Lactation
Canine Gestation
 First 42 days:
Feed as average adult
 Last 21 days:
Feed 3 x RER
Canine Lactation
 Varies with number of puppies
 Range is from 3 x RER to
≥ 6 x RER
 Feed ad libitum
 Energy needs peak at 4th

70. Life Stage:
Feline
Reproduction/
Lactation
Thepetcenter.com
Wikipedia.com

71. Life Stage: Feline
Reproduction/Lactation
Feline Gestation
 Consumption increases
linearly during gestation
 Increase to 1.6 x RER at
breeding
Feline Lactation
 Greatest nutritional
need peaks at 6th
week
 2 to 6 x RER, ad libitum

72. FEEDING ANNIE
•“Annie” F(I); 4 yrs old
Dalmatian
•62# BCS 3/5
•Whelped 7 pups 2 wks ago
RER
RER = 30 x BWkg +70
DER
Factor
DER
# cups
to be
fed/day
910 kcals
5.5
5.5 x 910 kcals =
5005 kcals
5005 kcals per day
372 kcals/cup = 13½ c.
Which Type of Food
Will You Feed Annie
While She’s Pregnant
And Lactating?
REGULAR PUPPY FOODSD Puppy Lamb Meal and Rice Formula

73. Life Stage: Senior
“Ginger” 14 yrs, F(N) Scottish Terrier
Stephanie’s Cat 18 yrs, M(N) DSH
Crystal Branch
Stephanie Caviglia

74. Life Stage: Senior Dogs & Cats
As Compared with Adult Life Stage
PROTEIN
PHOSPHORUS
SODIUM
FAT
CHO

75. Life Stage: Senior
“Minky” 15 years
Glucosamine & Chondroitin
• Helps maintain healthy joints
Controlled Sodium
• Helps protect heart health
Controlled Phosphorus
• Helps protect kidneys in old age

76. Life Style Feeding
Feeding animals foods
formulated to support
optimal health and meet
their nutritional needs
based on their life style
and activity level.
Life Style Terminology
 Active
 Obesity Prone

77. Life Style: Active Adult
High Energy
Density
What is the most importantWhat is the most important
nutritional factor for annutritional factor for an
active lifestyle?active lifestyle?

78. Life Style: Active Canine
As Compared with Adult Life Stage
PROTEIN
PHOSPHORUS
CALCIUM
FAT
CHO
© Flickr

79. Life Style: Obesity & Obese Prone
“Light” or “Lite” or
“Low Calorie”
AAFCO Guidelines
Less than 3100 kcal/kg
dry dog food
Less than 3250 kcal/kg
dry cat food

80. Life Style: Obesity & Obese Prone
As Compared with Adult Life Stage
PROTEIN
PHOSPHORUS
CALCIUM
FAT
FIBER
Source: Funny-cats.com

81. No visible
waistline
Fat pools
around
tailbase
“Missy”
English Pointer
F(N); 92# BCS 5/5
Karen Pogmore

82. Missy
• What body condition score do you give her?
• What DER are you going to use?

83. “Rocky” 7years, M(N) DSH 20# BCS 5/5
(enjoys yoga )
Nicole Polizzi

84. Rocky
• What body condition score are you going to
use?
• What DER should you use?
• REMEMBER cats that stop eating can develop
Hepatic Lipidosis ( look it up for discussion)
• Be very cautious about changing Rocky’s food
to a diet food

85. Managing Obese & Obese Prone Animals
 FOOD
 FEEDING METHOD
 EXERCISE
 OWNER

86. Beware of
Marketing Claims
Managing Obese & Obese Prone Animals
 FOOD
 EXERCISE
 FEEDING METHOD
 OWNER

87. Amadeus, 26lbs
 FOOD
 FEEDING METHOD
 EXERCISE
 OWNER

88. Feeding Methods
Ad libitum
Time limited
Portion limited
 FOOD
 FEEDING METHOD
 EXERCISE
 OWNER

89. Exercise is Important Too!
What Are Some Ways
To Get Your
Cat to Exercise?
 FOOD
 FEEDING METHOD
 EXERCISE
 OWNER

90. Rocky’s Energy Needs
“Rocky” 7yrs; M(N), DSH
20lbs, BCS 5/5
RULE FOR
OVERWEIGHT ANIMALS
Calculate RER based on
TARGET WEIGHT,
NOT Current Weight
WHERE WOULD YOU
FIND ROCKY’S
TARGET WEIGHT?

91. Rocky’s Energy Needs
RER
RER = 30 x BW(kg) +70
DER
Factor
DER
# cups
to be
fed/day
315 kcals
0.8
0.8 x 315 kcals =
252 kcals
252 kcals per day
283 kcals/cup = ~4
/5 cup
INTERIM
Target Weight: 18 lbs
Science Diet® Feline
Hairball Control Light
Adult – Dry
283 kcals/cup
“Rocky” 7yrs; M(N), DSH
20lbs, BCS 5/5