Section 3 Life stage Feeding

AAFCO does not regulate, test, approve or certify pet foods in any way. AAFCO establishes the nutritional standards for complete and balanced pet foods, and it is the pet food company's responsibility to formulate their products according to the appropriate AAFCO standard. It is the state feed control official's responsibility in regulating pet food to ensure that the laws and rules established for the protection of companion animals and their custodians are complied with so that only unadulterated, correctly and uniformly labeled pet food products are distributed in the marketplace and a structure for orderly commerce. AAFCO: Association of American Feed Control Officials: define food and feed ingredients.

National Research Council The informational pamphlet is based on Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats, a technical report issued by the National Research Council as part of its Animal Nutrition Series. The Food and Drug Administration relies on information in the report to regulate and ensure the safety of pet foods. The series is also used by animal owners, caretakers, and veterinarians to develop specialized diets for individual animals. Links to reports in the series can be found at

NRC, AAFCO, What’s the difference? NRC assumes the diets they are testing are of good quality. AAFCO assumes not all diets are equal. They take into consideration poor quality diets and base their minimal requirements accordingly.

As Fed, Dry Matter, ME As Fed is the feed given. Dry Matter is what is given minus the moisture content. Remember that canned food contains about 75% water and dry food contains about 10%water. ME: The amount of energy gained from nutrition available for use in the body (some will be lost in urine and feces).

As fed states the nutrient concentration of a food in the form an animal would consume. This measurement includes the food’s moisture content. Pet food labels report nutrient contents on an as fed basis. Since water dilutes nutrient content and different forms of pet foods can have widely different moisture contents, comparisons of pet foods on an as fed basis are difficult to interpret.

Crude Protein Crude protein is only an estimate of the protein contained. It is obtained by measuring the amount of nitrogen. On average protein contains 16% nitrogen. To calculate the estimated protein, we must first mathematically removed the water

Case Study: Pet food A has 8% crude protein and is a canned food Pet food B has 25% crude protein and is kibble Which has the higher protein percentage??

First… we must remove the moisture.. The canned food is 75% moisture. 100 – 75 = 25% dry matter The kibble is 10% moisture. 100 – 10 = 90% dry matter

Now you take the % of crude protein, divide it by the dry matter percentage and multiple by 100 to give you a percentage. Canned food: 8% CP / 25% DM x 100 = 32% estimated protein Kibble: 25% CP / 90% DM x 100 = 28% estimated protein *remember, crude protein is a measurement of the nitrogen, therefore it is only an estimation of the total amount of actual protein.

Judging an animal’s body condition is important in determining the caloric needs of the animal. Body condition can be assessed by feeling the ribs with the palm of your hands, the ribs should be felt but not seen. A thorough nutritional assessment should be taken on every patient by the technician. This includes a patient’s history, body weight, body condition score and hydration status.

Life stage feeding for canines

Newborn puppies are little growing factories and can double their weight during the first 7 – 10 days.

Neonates A neonate is a newborn under 4 weeks of age. Puppies should gain 10 – 15% of birth weight daily. Healthy nursing puppies should be weighed once or twice daily. Measurement is most accurate using a gram scale.

Colostrum is the first milk produced during the first 12 – 24 hours post parturition. This transfers energy, nutrients and antibodies (Immunoglobulins) from the bitch to the puppies.

Colostrum Important minerals are in colostrum. Calcium: skeletal growth, nerves, and muscles. Phosphorus: bones and muscles Magnesium: enzymes, bones, and teeth Iron: hemoglobin, muscle tissue Copper: collagen, bone, and muscle tissue Zinc: enzymes and immunity

Mother’s Milk Mothers milk is complete and balanced. As fed: 77% moisture, 7.5%protein, 9.5% fat, 3.3% lactose (carbohydrates), vitamins, and minerals. 95% digestible Soft stool upon stimulation Puppies nurse for 6-8 weeks.

During the first few weeks one half of energy intake is dedicated to growth and the rest for maintenance. Increased fat content helps to satisfy the increased energy requirements.

Orphans Milk replacements are widely available. Suggested feed is 30ml (1 oz.) for every 115g (4oz.) of body weight per day. The total amount should be divided into frequent feedings. Weigh hand fed pups as frequent as before and after meals to assess adequate amounts are given. Caution: aspiration

Orphan care continued Supplies: bottles, syringes, and/or feeding tubes. Warm to body temperature.

At 3 – 4 weeks the deciduous teeth will erupt and the puppies can start eating gruel. Can food 1:1 ratio. Dry food 3:1 or 4:1 ratio.

Add milk replacements if not interested. Gradually decrease water over 1-2 weeks until pups are on dry food diet. Weaning should be complete by 6 – 8 weeks.