Table of Contents
- Is air travel safe for our pet?
- I have allergies to dogs and cats. Is there any way I can minimize or cope with my allergies?
- How does diet affect my pet's oral health?
- What is heartworm disease?
- What is an appropriate or safe length of time that a dog can stay out in the cold weather?
- How can we have a happy, healthy, and flea free summer?
- Should I be concerned with pet food contamination?
- How do I interpret a pet food label?
- What are the fundamental causes of obesity in pets?
- What are some guidelines for feeding aging dogs and cats?
For more FAQs, visit http://www.animalhealthcare.ca/faq.asp
Is air travel safe for our pet?
As a rule, pets travel very well but air travel can
be a very stressful and traumatic experience for them.
In order to minimize this stress, some guidelines should
be followed.
The hazards of air travel are usually not in the actual
flying, but rather during the down time when your pet is
being loaded or unloaded from the airplane, or when it
is waiting. Delays can result in extra time spent on the
runways before take-off or after landing. At these times
the cargo holds are not pressurized and the surrounding
temperature can vary from very hot to very cold. In
fact, because of this, some airlines will not permit
pets to fly during certain times of the year. For this
reason, it is best to contact your airline to make sure
that no risk is involved and to confirm that they will
accept your pet on the flight.
If your pet is small enough, some airlines will allow
you to take your dog or cat on board, provided that the
carrier fits under the seat in front of you. Check with
your air carrier.
It is also a good idea to have your pet examined by your
veterinarian prior to departure to ensure that it is in
good health and able to endure the rigors of air travel.
Tranquillizers and sedatives are not usually recommended
for pets except on the advice of your veterinarian. This
is because sedation can result in serious complications.
For example, it can inhibit your pet's ability to
regulate its body temperature or cause breathing
problems.
For the actual flight, make sure that your dog is secure
in an approved carrier, purchased either from the
airline, a pet store or an animal hospital. Introduce
your pet to the crate several weeks before departure to
get him or her accustomed to it. Ensure that all the
screws on the crate are secured and tight. Carriers
should be labeled "Live Animal" and "This End Up" in
letters at least 3 cm high. Also tape some
identification (name, address, destination) to the
crate. Ensure that fresh water will be made available to
your pet at some time during or after the flight.
It is best to travel in off-peak hours and on non-stop
flights. Ideally, your pet should be last on and first
off the plane. Remember to notify the flight attendants
that you have a pet on board just in case there is a
flight delay.
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I have allergies to dogs and cats. Is there any way I can minimize or cope with my allergies?
Persons who have allergies to dogs or cats are
actually allergic to the saliva, dander (i.e. shed skin)
and the secretions from the hair glands of these
animals. Dog and cat hairs by themselves do not cause
allergies, but the allergens on the hair shafts do.
The severity of your allergic reaction depends on the
amount of allergens you are exposed to. This in turn
depends on such variables as the size of the pet (i.e. a
bigger dog means more shedding) and on how often you
groom and wash your pet. By bathing pets frequently,
allergens are washed off and this results in a decrease
in symptoms in allergic owners.
The less hair and dander a pet produces (and sheds), the
less likely a person with allergies is to react to that
animal. For this reason, some breeds of dogs are thought
to cause fewer allergic reactions. These include all
three sizes of poodles and schnauzers, Kerry Blue,
soft-coated Wheaten and Bedlington terriers, Bichon
Frisé and Irish water spaniels.
Some suggestions to minimize your allergic symptoms
include the following:
Restrict your pet, if not to the outdoors, then at least
to a certain area of the house, and especially out of
the bedroom. Cat dander can take up to 5 months to
disappear after a cat is removed from a house. In fact,
cat allergens have even been found in houses and schools
in which cats have never been present (the cat allergens
are carried in on people's clothing!).
Wash your pets every 1-2 weeks. Studies have shown this
to be a highly effective way to reduce allergens on the
pet's hair coat.
Control house dust (especially in the bedroom) by
removing carpets, reducing the amount of upholstered
furniture, and washing materials that can readily trap
animal dander (i.e. drapes, bedding, stuffed toys,
etc.). Install a high efficiency electrostatic air
filter.
Polish and vacuum floors regularly and use a damp cloth
or mop to wipe all surfaces and floors weekly. Certain
solutions (e.g. 3% tannic acid) applied on carpets will
destroy animal allergens without harming the carpet.
In very sensitive individuals, allergy shots may help
reduce the degree of allergic reactions to occasional
unavoidable animal contact.
Consult both your physician and veterinarian for advice
if you suffer from pet allergies.
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How does diet affect my pet's oral health?
Dental calculus is a common problem in most domestic
cats and dogs resulting from mineralization of dental
plaque; plaque being composed primarily of food
particles and bacteria. Studies have reported the
existence of dental calculus in 86% of cats between the
ages of 1-4 years and all cats 5 years of age and older.
A number of options are available to the pet owner to
control and maintain the long term oral health of their
pets. Oral hygiene practiced on a regular basis is the
most effective approach. However, pets need to be
conditioned to such procedures from an early age and few
owners are compliant on a long term basis. As a result,
most owners look to diet or chew treats as a simpler,
more convenient, albeit less effective, means of
achieving this goal.
Gingivitis, an inflammation of the gum, is reversible
and manageable through routine plaque control. If
untreated or uncontrolled, gingivitis may lead to
periodontitis, an inflammation of the supporting
periodontal tissues. Periodontitis may well be
irreversible and requires vigorous therapy and plaque
control to avoid further progression.
Although often associated with gingivitis and
periodontal disease, dental calculus is not the primary
causal factor. Both gingivitis and periodontal disease
are a result of bacterial overgrowth in the gum tissue
that surrounds each tooth. Because dental calculus is so
hard due to its mineral content, it usually is not
removed when a pet eats hard kibble. Although dental
plaque is the primary cause of gingivitis, there are
other contributing factors, such as calculus, age,
genetics, breed, immune status and diet.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that feeding a
regular dry diet alone, when compared to a canned diet,
will reduce the rate of plaque and subsequent calculus
formation. However, what is not thoroughly understood is
whether this effect is due to the mild abrasive action
of the diet, or the greater likelihood of canned food to
become entrapped in the gum tissue, leading to greater
accumulation of plaque.
Studies have shown that feeding a dry diet coated with
sodium hexametaphosphate (a component of some pet
toothpaste that acts as the calcium sequestrant) reduced
calculus formation by 50 - 80% in dogs. A similar
preventive effect was also shown in cats.
Other studies showed the regular use of rawhide chew
strips resulted in a modest reduction of calculus
formation, but when these treats were coated with sodium
hexametaphosphate, again the results showed a
significant calculus reduction.
It is not universally accepted, though, that removal of
calculus alone is adequate to prevent gingivitis. The
removal of bacteria-laden plaque prior to its
calcification, however, does minimize gingivitis.
Such research reinforces the opinion that the
accumulation of plaque and the impact on oral health can
be impacted by the use of certain diets and chew treats
alone. Reduction of gingivitis by such means in indeed
encouraging, but the long term benefits in the
prevention of periodontal disease needs further
research.
Within hours of a professional dental cleaning, plaque
begins to re-accumulate. Although the teeth may look
cleaner, the bacterial counts are not being controlled,
even with no obvious calculus present. To obtain long
term oral health, oral bacteria must be controlled by
minimizing plaque build-up. This is best achieved by
veterinarians continuing to demonstrate brushing
techniques and encouraging their clients to practice
oral home care procedures on their pets from an early
age.
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What is heartworm disease?
Heartworm disease is caused by a parasite called
Dirofilaria immitis, which lives in the right side of
the heart and the adjacent blood vessels. Its presence
in these blood vessels causes cardiovascular weakness,
compromised lung incapacity, and eventual death.
Heartworm disease occurs primarily in dogs but can occur
in cats and other animals on rare occasions.
Heartworm is transmitted from dog to dog (and cat to
cat) by mosquitoes. Over 70 species of mosquitoes have
already been implicated. Transmission of the parasite
occurs as follows: when a mosquito draws blood from a
dog or cat infected with heartworm, it takes with it a
number of small immature worms called microfilaria. Once
inside the mosquito, the microfilaria develop into
larvae. Later, when the mosquito bites a new victim, the
larvae are injected and that dog or cat becomes
infected.
It takes about six and a half to seven months for the
larvae to mature and start producing thousands of new
microfilaria inside the circulatory system. The adult
worms end up occupying the right chamber of the heart
and the pulmonary arteries, while the microscopic
microfilaria circulate throughout the bloodstream.
All these worms within the blood vessels produce an
increased workload on the heart, along with restricted
blood flow to the lungs, kidneys, and liver, eventually
causing multiple organ failure. At first, pets may
exhibit a chronic cough and reduced exercise tolerance,
followed by sudden collapse and death.
Once infected, one pet can easily become a "carrier" or
reservoir of infection for an entire neighborhood.
Sometimes, a dog or cat may have heartworm disease but
show no symptoms. By the time symptoms do occur, the
disease is well advanced.
Prevention is preferred to treatment. While there are
effective treatments available, most veterinarians
prefer to promote prevention of heartworm disease. Oral
and topical medications that are administered monthly
and have shown to be highly effective in preventing
heartworm disease are available from your veterinarian.
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What is an appropriate or safe length of time that a dog can stay out in the cold weather?
Dogs do, as a general rule, love the great outdoors
and the winter is no exception. In fact many seem to
prefer the colder months and seem invigorated by it.
Fortunately, dogs were born with “fur coats” and a
higher tolerance to colder weather than their owners;
but not all of them like to spend extended periods of
time outdoors.
To properly determine how long your pet should stay
outside in cold temperatures, a number of factors need
to be taken into account. These include breed, coat
type, general health and age of your dog; whether he/she
has been acclimated to the colder weather; the
availability of shelter; as well as individual
differences in the desire to spend time outdoors.
Smaller, short-coated, ill, or geriatric dogs have less
tolerance for the cold and therefore are limited to the
time they may be able to spend outdoors.
Alternatively, one may want to consider purchasing a
coat or sweater: with many different styles and prices
to choose from, it should not be hard to find something
that suits every budget and pet personality. Conversely,
certain breeds which are bred for colder weather, such
as the northern breeds (i.e. husky), may actually prefer
extended periods outside in the colder weather. If this
is done, ensure that adequate shelter is available and
only if they have been acclimated to the colder weather
(i.e.., have spent longer periods of time outdoors
during the change in seasons to allow their coat and
metabolism to accommodate the temperature change).
Shelter should be an insulated dog house, off the ground
with the door protected or facing away from the
prevailing wind and some straw or a blanket for the dog
to burrow into. As dogs rely on their body heat to warm
their immediate environment, an appropriate shelter
should only be large enough for them to lay down
comfortably – making the garage an unsuitable shelter by
itself. Ensuring a high quality diet and access to
drinkable (i.e., not frozen) water is essential as
outdoor dogs burn more calories to maintain their body
heat. Also, pay attention and head cold-weather warnings
when they occur.
Perhaps the simplest way of ensuring that your pet's
outdoor time is enjoyable is to spend the time with
them. This will allow you to watch for any signs that
they may be becoming cold such as shivering, running
towards and standing by the door, wanting to be held, or
loosing interest in the activities that you are doing.
Regardless, revel in your outdoor pursuits as it is a
wonderful way to enjoy your time together and a healthy
activity that you can both enjoy.
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How can we have a happy, healthy, and flea free summer?
Flea season is upon us every time spring rolls
around! This is truly a scenario where the old adage "an
ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" is true.
Many wonderful products have been developed to prevent
not only flea infestations, but other common parasites
as well. Many of these are no longer based on
insecticidal products but on newer strategies, such as
products that employ compounds that mimic a parasite's
hormones causing them to act as birth control agents.
Since these products are parasite-specific, they have a
much-reduced potential to harm to our pets. Talk to your
veterinarian about the most suitable choice for your
pet.
As an aside, be careful of the many myths that surround
flea control, especially relating to common household
products such as:
Garlic – although some fleas may be deterred by
garlic, it will not prevent fleas (many fleas apparently
develop a taste for it!) Besides, pet breath is
difficult to accept at the best of times, let alone with
garlic! Garlic should never be given to cats since
it is toxic.
Brewer's Yeast – this has no effect on fleas and
in actual fact may provide fleas with valuable nutrients
to grow.
Avon Skin-So-Soft® – this product will deter some
fleas, but once again, it will not completely prevent
fleas from infesting your pet.
Penny Royal Oil – this has been recently touted
as a dip to be used to prevent fleas but, as with
anything that is applied to your pet, will be licked and
has the potential of causing kidney or liver damage.
Cedar Shavings – these may be helpful for
preventing fleas, especially when used in your pet’s
bedding but may aggravate respiratory problems or asthma
should your pet be prone to these problems.
Remember that your daily grooming session can be used as
a time to track down fleas and remove them using a flea
comb. This is a completely safe approach, and is
especially useful in very young puppies and kittens
because of their sensitivity to some preparations.
Placing the flea comb with the flea into a bowl of warm,
soapy water, or a dish of isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol
will effectively drown them. Grooming has the added
benefit of clearing out dead hair, and keeping the skin
and hair coat healthy!
Control of fleas also involves environmental
cleanliness. If fleas are resident in yards, households,
or basements, periodic environmental treatments with
approved products may be needed. Talk to your
veterinarian about the best strategy for your home and
pets.
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Should I be concerned with pet food contamination?
In recent years, concerns have been expressed by some
pet owners regarding the potential for contamination of
pet foods that contain grain products with
naturally-occurring mycotoxins . Mycotoxins are
metabolic by-products of fungi that are toxic to both
animals and man. These concerns are based to some extent
on current data which has shown that mycotoxins are
toxic to farm and laboratory test animals. Food
contamination may be more relevant in pets since they
are maintained and fed for longer periods of time than
farm animals and thereby are theoretically more
vulnerable to chronic exposure to toxicants.
It is generally recognized by pet food manufacturers
that mycotoxin contamination is a source of increased
problems in their industry. Ingredients that are at risk
of becoming contaminated are wheat and wheat products ,
corn and corn products, soybean meal and hulls, barley
and oats.
Mycotoxins can develop prior to harvest where their
concentration depends on weather and natural conditions,
including moisture, temperature, pH and stresses such as
drought and associated growth of other fungi and
microbes. Grains and feeds can also be contaminated with
mycotoxins between harvesting and drying, as well as
during storage. Once produced, these toxins cannot be
readily extracted from contaminated feed.
The major mycotoxins with potential for contamination of
pet foods are aflatoxins,vomitoxin, zearalenone,
fumonisins, and ochratoxin A. Three genera of fungi,
Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium (Gibberella), are
the most frequently implicated causes of mycotoxin
contamination.
Aflatoxins are one of the most potent
naturally-occurring carcinogens known to man and have
been associated with a variety of health problems in
both animals and man. All species appear to be
susceptible to this toxin, although susceptibility
varies from species to species. The primary target organ
for aflatoxins is the liver with liver disease resulting
from dogs ingesting aflatoxin-contaminated dog food.
Vomitoxin, known chemically as deoxynivalenol (DON),
affects weight gain and appetite in pigs, with 10 ppm
resulting in loss of appetite, vomiting and weight loss.
It is also known to adversely affect the immune system,
although at what levels this would start to occur
remains unknown. Little is known about its toxicity in
pets. It is known that dogs are susceptible to
relatively low levels of vomitoxin and exhibit health
problems similar to that seen in swine. Cats, as well as
cattle, poultry, and humans, can also be affected.
Zearalenone has been reported to cause clinical signs in
poultry, swine and man, but not in dogs or cats.
Zearalenone has a chemical structure similar to that of
estrogen and causes hyperestrogenism in both laboratory
animals and agricultural livestock. Its effects are
mainly on the reproductive system. In pigs, it can cause
serious reproductive problems, including failure to show
heats and reduced sex drive in boars. It can also affect
fetal development and the viability of neonates. The
intensity of symptoms is dependent on the amount of
toxin consumed.
Fumonisins interfere with cell membrane metabolism and
the signs of toxicity vary with species. The only
studies conducted to demonstrate the effects of
fuminosins in pet species has been in rabbits.
Ochratoxin A is a nephrotoxin (i.e. toxic to the
kidneys) and is also teratogenic (i.e. causes fetal
malformation during the first three months of pregnancy)
in all species tested. It also impairs the immune system
and is a suspected carcinogen.
In order to deal with the potential occurrence of
mycotoxins in pet foods, pet food manufacturers
currently employ mycotoxin testing programs. These
programs include the screening of incoming ingredients
prior to their utilization in the formulation of pet
foods, both by suppliers and manufacturers. As well,
manufacturers perform periodic analysis of pet food
products for mycotoxins.
Whether the concern for the presence of mycotoxins in
pet foods is a valid one remains under discussion. Since
relatively little information exists regarding the
toxicological effects of mycotoxins on dogs and cats,
further studies are indicated to determine both the
identity and sources of mycotoxins that could
contaminate pet foods, as well as the effects of
mycotoxins on pets. In the meantime, pet food
manufacturers must continue to ensure that their
mycotoxin management programs are stringently
maintained.
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How do I interpret a pet food label?
One of the more frustrating experiences for a small
animal practitioner is to make a specific diet
recommendation to a client, only to discover later that
the client chose another diet. In many cases, the
alternate diet was chosen because it was very similar to
the recommended food based on label information. Some
pet store employees will commonly use label comparison
to support their claims of equality or superiority of
their own house brand when compared to virtually any
other pet food. If the labels appear similar, owners
conclude that the contents are similar. However,
perception is often not reality.
In Canada, labeling requirements are minimal. Industry
Canada regulates that labels must appear in both
official languages and include the identity (e.g. "dog
food") and net quantity of the product and the
manufacturer’s/distributor’s name and place of business.
For foods manufactured in Canada, there are no other
label requirements, not even for ingredients or
nutritional claims. In practice, however, a great deal
more information appears.
The CVMA Pet Food Certification Program has very
stringent requirements for its manufacturers which in
most respects mirror or surpass the U.S. guidelines.
Because manufacturers compete within a global framework,
U.S. regulations take precedent over those of the
Canadian government. In the U.S., a number of agencies
are involved in determining what appears on a pet food
label - including the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the
American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
Based on the CVMA’s or AAFCO’s guidelines, the following
is a synopsis of what must appear on a label. The
principal display panel must show the manufacturer’s
name, brand name and product name. An acceptable product
name is determined by what are known as "the percentage
rules". For example, using the term "beef" on its own,
indicates that more than 90% (AAFCO’s is >95%) of the
total product must be beef. "Beef dinner/platter, etc."
indicates at least 25% beef content. "Beef flavor"
usually indicates less than 25% beef, yet enough to
allow pet recognition. The AAFCO percentage rules also
legislate a maximum of 78% moisture content, unless
described with such terms as "in gravy". The principal
display panel also includes a species designation, net
weight, product vignette and a graphic or pictorial
display.
The information panel includes an adequacy claim, e.g.
"complete" or "balanced". The panel may also include a
nutritional claim based on extensive feeding trials. All
ingredients must be listed in descending order by
weight, using official names with proper definitions
(refer to AAFCO Official Feed Ingredient Definitions).
The label must also contain a guaranteed analysis: Crude
protein (minimum %) , crude fat (minimum %), crude fiber
(maximum %) and moisture (maximum %). The
manufacturer’s/distributor’s name and address, universal
product code and feeding instructions must also appear.
Despite this information, label comparisons of the
product’s quality remains difficult for a number of
reasons. With respect to guaranteed analysis, only
minimum and maximum values are stated. Although the CVMA
does require a maximum ash value for all cat foods and a
maximum magnesium level for magnesium-restricted foods,
AAFCO has no such requirements. Furthermore, crude fiber
is a poor measure of fiber content, and provides no
indication as to solubility. Additionally, there are
difficulties with interpreting the ingredients list.
Ingredients are listed in order of weight with no
reference to relative moisture content. For example,
there may be more grain at less than 10% moisture than
fresh meat with 75% moisture, yet meat is listed first.
A primary ingredient such as wheat could be placed well
down the list if divided up into its different
components, e.g. wheat grain, wheat middlings and wheat
mill run. Finally, several different grades of foods can
have similar names.
How a diet was analyzed to achieve the label values
should be considered. Pet food composition can be stated
either on an "as fed" basis, percentage dry matter, or a
percentage of total energy. Each method of analysis
results in very different information on a label.
Although many pet food manufacturers will use percentage
dry matter, many nutritionists contend that, because an
animal eats to meet its energy requirements, it is the
percentage kilocalorie basis of analysis that is the
method of choice. Few companies provide this
information.
Under the CVMA Pet Food Certification Program, foods are
tested every 2 months as part of the ongoing monitoring.
In the case of the AAFCO regulations, a pet food may be
only required to be tested once in its life time. The
net result is that the consumer has to be very wary of
comparing pet food labels to deduce quality. By advising
owners to look for the CVMA’s certification logo and to
follow the veterinarian’s specific recommendations, many
of the possible pitfalls in interpreting pet food labels
will be avoided.
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What are the fundamental causes of obesity in pets?
Obesity is one of the most common nutritional medical
disorders affecting companion animals, with
approximately 24-40% of pets being classified as
overweight. Obesity is defined as an increase of over
20% above the optimum body weight. Reasons for this
include a more confined and sedentary lifestyle for
pets, availability of highly-palatable, energy dense pet
foods and treats, and a strong human-animal bond which
leads to overfeeding and snacking.
The fundamental cause of obesity is excess of caloric
intake over energy depletion with the surplus being
stored as fat. There are many factors which affect this
balance, including age, breed, sex, hormonal
abnormalities, as well as external factors such as
lifestyle, diet formulation and intake.
Hound breeds, Cocker Spaniels, Labradors and Shelties
are some of the more common breeds affected. Neutered
females, dogs older than 4 years of age and pets
belonging to obese owners are more prone to excess
weight gain.
The risk of certain health problems increases with
obesity, as well as an aggravation of existing clinical
disease, such as arthritis and respiratory disease.
Weight reduction can be achieved by lowering of energy
intake, coupled with correction of concurrent medical
conditions. Increased exercise is critical, but can be
impractical in cats or difficult due to owners'
lifestyles. Very often behavioral modification
techniques are necessary to eliminate inappropriate
behavior such as begging. For any weight reduction
program to be successful, an owner must first
acknowledge that a problem exists and then be committed
to its correction.
Calorie reduction in dogs can be quite dramatic,
utilizing complete starvation (not recommended in cats
due to the possibility of precipitating hepatic
lipidosis). This is likely to be unacceptable to owners,
would require vitamin/mineral supplementation, and
result in an unwanted loss in lean body mass. Moderate
weight loss can be achieved by feeding 10-20% fewer
calories through less volume of regular food.
Restricting calories also restricts protein, vitamins
and minerals. However, most pet foods contain sufficient
excesses for this degree of calorie restriction.
With grossly obese or less dedicated owners, a more
severe caloric restriction may be necessary. Diets which
have a more severe restriction of calories (25% or
greater) must be specially formulated and fortified to
avoid nutritional imbalances. Diet restriction must be
introduced cautiously in obese cats as they can often
only tolerate moderate caloric restriction. Furthermore,
many low calorie/weight reduction diets may be
unpalatable to some cats. It is important to ensure that
the cat does, in fact, eat the diet when it is first
introduced.
With the aid of a number of computer programs or
nutritional texts, the daily caloric requirements of the
pet can be calculated and the appropriate amount of a
specific food prescribed by the veterinarian. The
principle in all therapeutic diets is to offer a reduced
energy density coupled with a compensatory
supplementation of protein, vitamins and minerals. A
number of different formulations used by different
manufacturers and the most effective has not been
established. Some foods offer a lower fat content
coupled with higher levels of complex carbohydrate which
not only lowers energy density but adheres to the
concept that fat is more efficiently laid down as
adipose tissue than carbohydrate. Other foods which are
low in fat, coupled with high levels of indigestible
fiber, rely in part on an earlier feeling of satiety to
limit food intake. However, stool volume and
palatability may be adversely affected. Alternative
bulking methods involve higher water content in canned
foods and higher air content of dry foods.
As most dogs and cats will eat to meet their daily
caloric requirements, calorie restriction remains the
essence of successful weight loss. Although most cases
of obesity can be corrected with proper owner
compliance, early pet owner education remains the best
preventative measure. Overfeeding puppies and kittens
may lead to an excess production of fat cells and a
tendency to being overweight later in life, In puppies,
overfeeding may also accelerate the growth rate, which
in certain breeds may increase any predisposition to
certain skeletal diseases. Young pets should be fed an
appropriate daily amount of a balanced food with a
caloric density that will result in normal growth rates
and lean body condition. For most adult pets, avoidance
of free choice feeding and poor behavioral habits (e.g.
begging), and regular exercise will provide a successful
approach to the prevention of obesity.
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What are some guidelines for feeding aging dogs and cats?
The nutritional requirements of aging pets have been
the subject of much discussion in recent years,
particularly with the introduction of therapeutic
specialty diets. Even though there is little
experimental information on the nutritional requirements
of senior dogs and cats, commercial diets are
nevertheless currently available on the market designed
specifically for the geriatric pet. These diets differ
from adult maintenance diets in that they contain
altered protein and fat levels, fiber content, and
vitamin/mineral levels. Whether or not these changes are
necessary in all older pets remains to be seen.
Aging results in numerous changes in the geriatric dog
and cat that have a direct effect on their nutritional
requirements. These changes occur in all the organ
systems, causing a decline in body functions and a
decreased ability to maintain optimal health . As pets
get older, long-term exposure to oxidants, both within
the body and outside the body, results in the production
of harmful molecules called "oxygen-free radicals".
These radicals cause damage to cells in the body. Aging
is also associated with a decline in efficiency of the
immune system and, since nutritional deficiencies and
excesses can modify the immune response in animals, the
nutritional make-up of the senior diet must take these
factors into account.
As pets get older, there is a decrease in total energy
needs because of reduced physical activity and a decline
in their ability to metabolize what they eat. For this
reason, it is usually recommended that older animals be
fed fewer calories per unit of body weight than a
younger animal in order to maintain a constant body
weight. However, the energy intake of a pet should be
based on the individual needs of the pet rather than
reducing the caloric intake in all geriatric pets
regardless of health status or body mass.
Most older pets, regardless of health status, will
benefit from some nutritional guidelines. For example,
because food intake is often reduced in the older pet,
the percentage of protein may need to be increased
modestly in order to maintain an adequate protein intake
per unit body mass. There is presently no evidence to
indicate that protein restriction in the normal pet will
prevent development of kidney disease. Similarly, in
those pets that have a reduced food intake, moderate
increases (e.g. 25-50%) in the concentrations of
vitamins and minerals in the diet may also be
beneficial. Increased dietary fiber in the geriatric
diet can be helpful but may not be indicated in all
senior pets. Current studies indicate that the digestive
system of older dogs and cats is very little affected by
age and older pets are no less efficient in extracting
nutrients from food than younger animals.
Aging brings with it numerous changes which adversely
affect normal body functions. However, it is important
to realize that these changes do not necessarily affect
all pets at the same time. There is currently no
evidence to suggest that all geriatric pets would
benefit from a specially-formulated therapeutic diet
designed specifically for older animals. Above all, it
is important for the practitioner to distinguish between
the normal, healthy geriatric pet and one that exhibits
clinical signs related to diseases due to the aging
process before making any recommendations regarding
dietary changes.
