This document discusses small animal nutrition for dogs and cats at different life stages. It outlines a two-step clinical nutrition process of assessing the patient and developing a feeding plan. It provides information on calculating energy requirements, including calculating resting energy requirement and daily energy requirement. Key nutrients like protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals are reviewed for different life stages, including growth, reproduction, lactation, adulthood and senior stages. The importance of matching an animal's diet to their life stage is emphasized.

1. SMALL ANIMAL NUTRITION
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
Moist Product – as fed
• 75% moisture
• 10% protein
• 8% fat
• 9% CHO
For Moist Products the percentage of nutrients on
a Dry Matter Basis (DMB)
equals approximately
4x the percent on an as fed basis
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
(10% of 18 is 1.8 added to 18 to get 20%)

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

14. Benefits of Insoluble Carbohydrates
 “Normalize” bowel transit time
 Increase satiety (fullness)
 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 American
Feed Control Officials
Nutrient Profiles for
dogs and cats
 minimum nutrient values
required at different life
stages
 some maximum values

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

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

20. Review of Basic Nutrients – Minerals
Minerals of Special Concern in Dogs & Cats
Mineral Diseases 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
• Intact or neutered

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. Calculating Energy Requirements
DER = Daily Energy Requirement
• An animal’s RER multiplied by a DER 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 ( found in the table in learning modules)
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 =
Calculating Gracie’s Energy Needs
Choose DER factor based on life stage activity etc)

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: (Choose DER factor)
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: (Choose DER factor provided in notes)
Average, neutered feline adult =
1.2 x RER
1.2 x 220 = 264 kcals per day
Calculating Gracie’s Energy Needs
Gracie should have 264 kcals per day

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 day
Calculating Gracie’s Energy Needs
Gracie 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?

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, Body condition score (so you can choose DER factor) 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
Calculating Breeze’s Energy Needs
(Choose DER factor provided in notes)

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 factor 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 factor provided in notes)
Average, neutered canine adult =
1.6 x RER
1.6 x 547 = 875 kcals per day
Calculating Breeze’s Energy Needs
Breeze should have 875 kcals per day

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 day
Calculating Breeze’s Energy Needs
Breeze 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?

43. DER Factors
• These numbers are provided to you in a table
• You choose the DER factor based on the animal
1. Is it overweight and not active? - choose a factor of
less than 1 to reduce the amount of food and help it
lose weight
2. Is it pregnant? Late gestation? Choose a DER factor
that increases the amount of food
3. Is it a dog or cat that is thin, very active and burning
calories? Choose a der factor greater than 1 to increase
the amount of food fed
4. Is the dog or cat not fat or thin? Use a DER of 1 and
feed the exact amount calculated

44. LIFE STAGE &
LIFESTYLE NUTRITION
Source: Geneva Acor

45. 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.

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

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

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 and improves fat metabolism
 Supports healthy heart
Glucosamine and 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. Life Stage: Adult - Feline
Taurine
• Essential Amino Acid;
Helps maintain normal
heart function, retinal
structure, and
reproduction and
development
Magnesium
• Avoid excesses

53. How Much Food Does
Bevo Need?
RER
RER = 30 x (BWkg) +70
DER
Factor
(you choose this from the table)
DER
# cups
to be
fed/day
“Bevo” 2yrs old;
•M(N) 40# BCS 3/5
•Average activity level
•Eats Purina ONE™
Beef & Rice Formula
441 kcals/cup
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.
• You will be tested on these
calculations throughout the
class and need to be able
to do them correctly

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
As Compared with Small/Medium Breed Puppies
PROTEIN
PHOSPHORUS
CALCIUM
FAT
CHO

58. 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

59. 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

60. 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

61. Clinical Findings
Feeding dogs to a leaner body
condition increases their life span and
reduces incidences of osteopathies

62. Beware Excessive Calcium in Large Breed Dog
Diets
 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
JAAHA, 21:377 1985

63. 1.18% Ca 3.3% Ca
Excessive Calcium
Hazewinkle, Thesis, Utrecht 1985

64. The Effects of the Calcium
• The dogs in the first box
received the correct
amount of calcium
• The dogs in the second
box received too much
calcium which led to
skeletal abnormalities
• Beware excesses in the
diet

65. Life Stage: Reproduction/Lactation
Baby & Pups

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

67. Life Stage:
Feline
Reproduction
Lactation
Thepetcenter.com
Wikipedia.com

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

69. 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
( choose DER of 3-6)
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

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

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

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

73. 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

74. Life Style: Active Adult
What is the most important
nutritional factor for an
active lifestyle?

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

76. 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

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

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

79. Missy
• What body condition score do you give her? Use her
weight and body palpation to evaluate her
• What DER are you going to use? ( remember to use a
DER factor of less than 1 to reduce the amount of food
fed and lead to weight loss)

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

81. 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. Don’t suddenly change their food as they may
refuse to eat it.

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

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

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

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

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

87. 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?

88. Rocky’s Energy Needs
RER
RER = 30 x BW(kg) +70
DER
Factor
( see its less than 1)
DER
# cups
to be
fed/day
315 kcals
0.8
0.8(DER) 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