|
Digestible Protein
|
88% | |
|
Indigestible Protein
|
12% |
Essential Pet Nutrition You Need to Know - Understanding Nutrients
UNDERSTANDING
NUTRIENTS
NUTRIENTS
Nutrients are the functional components of food. Nutrients are essential for cats and dogs and provide energy, the building blocks for body tissues and the fuel for many metabolic processes. The body cannot differentiate where a nutrient originated. What matters is that the right nutrients are provided in the right amounts.
NUTRITIONAL TRUTHS
UNDERSTANDING PROTEIN
Protein can be supplied via vegetables, legumes, grains, fish and/or meat.
Protein is one of the three macronutrients in a pet's diet, alongside carbohydrates and fat. Protein is used as a source of energy as well as 'building blocks' for the body throughout growth, in everyday function and particularly throughout the healing process if/when a pet is ill.
Proteins are often large, complex molecules, consisting of a string of amino acids. They play critical roles in almost every aspect of the body including:
- Building and maintaining muscle mass
- Producing enzymes which assist the many internal (biochemical) processes in the body
- Ensuring strong immunity including the production of blood cells
... the list is a long one!
PROTEIN QUALITY
The mix of amino acids contained within a protein (the ‘amino acid profile’) and digestibility determine its quality. Both animal proteins and plant proteins can be highly digestible (easily broken down and utilised by the pet) and both contain amino acids that cats and dogs need.
There are two types of amino acids, essential and non-essential. Essential amino acids cannot be made internally by the cat or dog’s body itself and therefore, they must come from the food.
Non-essential amino acids are no less important than essential amino acids; however, the cat or dog has the capacity to manufacture them in sufficient quantities.
Dogs have a dietary requirement for 10 essential amino acids, while cats require 11.
NUTRITIONAL TRUTHS
PROTEIN CAN COME FROM MANY SOURCES
Protein can come from many sources. People commonly think of meat as the primary means of providing protein to the body. While meat is high in protein, grains, seeds, legumes, and other vegetables are also excellent sources of high quality protein.
The protein from one food source will differ from the protein in another food source by:
- The length of the polypeptide chain
- The individual amino acids that are in the chain, and
- How the chain folds (they often curl onto themselves when forming the shape of each protein)
It should be noted that an individual amino acid from one source (eg. corn), will be the exact same as that amino acid from another source (eg. chicken). In the example to the right, you’ll see that the amino acid methionine can be found in both corn and chicken raw materials.
It is also possible to provide individual proteins or amino acids to a formula. While this might appear as a long and potentially confusing ‘nutritional additive’ on a product label, it is included to fulfil a precise nutritional requirement of the cat or dog we’re feeding.
PROTEIN SOURCES
Despite the source, the amino acid stays the same.
NUTRITIONAL TRUTHS
PROTEIN QUALITY
Some refer to biological value as a marker of protein quality. This is an assessment of the amino acid profile (content) of the ingredient.
It doesn't matter if dietary protein comes from one source, or from multiple ingredients, as long as the total protein supplied in the diet provides all the necessary amino acids in the correct amounts.
The biological value of the entire diet, not individual ingredients, is what is important to the pet’s health.
NUTRITIONAL TRUTHS
PROTEIN DIGESTION
Digestibility determines how much protein can be broken down in the gastrointestinal tract, absorbed into the bloodstream, and utilised by the pet. Any protein not broken down in the digestive tract will be eliminated from the pet's body in the stools (and sometimes the urine). If undigested protein is present in the large intestine, flatulence and loose stools may result.
DEHYDRATED
POULTRY MEAL/
CHICKEN MEAL
POULTRY MEAL/
CHICKEN MEAL
WHEAT GLUTEN
|
Digestible Protein
|
99% | |
|
Indigestible Protein
|
1% |
*Source: Royal Canin Research Centre
NUTRITIONAL TRUTHS
UNDERSTANDING CARBOHYDRATES
Both cats and dogs can utilise and benefit from carbohydrates in their diet.
Carbohydrates are a source of energy, which is essential to survival. Using carbohydrates as an energy source means that the other calorie-containing macronutrients can be used in another way. This means that protein and fat can be spared for other bodily functions such as growth or even wound healing, where needed.
Both cats and dogs produce amylase, the enzyme required to digest starch, the simplest form of carbohydrate.
Recent research has revealed that as they became domesticated, dogs have undergone genetic changes which not only make them more sociable and suitable as pets, but also able to thrive on diets with a greater proportion of carbohydrate.
WHY FEED CARBOHYDRATES?
Consider building a campfire. You can burn kindling, or you can burn paper money. Both will effectively burn, but the paper money could be used to buy things, so burning it is essentially wasting them.
Carbohydrates are like kindling; a great source of energy. Protein is like the paper money; you can burn it for energy, or use it to build tissues, create enzymes, and perform other functions.
NUTRITIONAL TRUTHS
CARBOHYDRATES DO NOT CAUSE OBESITY, AND DO NOT CAUSE DIABETES
Obesity is caused by overfeeding. Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes mellitus. Calories come from fat, protein, and carbohydrates. Too many calories, regardless of the source, can lead to excessive weight gain. Excessive weight has been shown to reduce the body’s ability to respond to insulin, the important hormone which helps the body regulate blood glucose levels. Regardless of where the calories come from, their excess can therefore be linked to an increased risk of diabetes, particularly in cats.
Obesity is the main risk factor for the development of diabetes mellitus in cats, not diet type.
Lutz T. (2010) Feline diabetes mellitus: nutritional strategies, In: Encyclopedia of Feline Clinical Nutrition, Pibot P, Biourge V & Elliott D. (eds), Royal Canin, Aimargues.
NUTRITIONAL TRUTHS
UNDERSTANDING FAT
The digestion of fat is more complex than digestion of carbohydrates and proteins.
Fats (also known as lipids), are one of the three macronutrients of an pet's diet, providing a calorie-dense, energy-rich fuel source and supplying building blocks for the formation of certain tissues in the body.
Just as proteins are made up of amino acids and carbohydrates can be made of simple starches, triglycerides are a sub-unit of fats, and the most important type of fat in the diet, consisting of a glycerol molecule attached to three fatty acids (FA).
FUNCTION OF FATS / LIPIDS
Providing energy
Fat is a concentrated source of energy for cats and dogs, providing approximately 9 kcal/g.
Improving palatability
Fat contributes greatly to the palatability of a formula by influencing aroma, flavour, texture, and moisture level
Absorption of vitamins
Fat soluble vitamins (vitamin A, D, E, K) require fat to be present in order to be absorbed by the gut. Further, fat is often a source of these vitamins.
Building animal cell structure
Unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids are required to form phospholipids, which are the main building blocks for cell membranes.
Signalling within the body
Unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids are required to produce eicosanoids, which are messengers involved in many metabolic pathways in the body.
NUTRITIONAL TRUTHS
FAT CAN COME FROM MANY SOURCES
| FATTY ACID | |
|---|---|
| Linoleic Acid | (LA, Omega 6) |
| Gamma Linolenic Acid | (GLA, Omega 6) |
| Arachidonic Acid | (AA, Omega 6) |
| Alpha Linolenic Acid | (ALA, Omega 3) |
| Eicosapentaenoic Acid | (EPA, Omega 3) |
| Docosahexaenoic Acid | (DHA, Omega 3) |
| MAIN SOURCE |
|---|
| Soya oil, corn oil |
| Borage oil, safflower oil |
| Animal fats |
| Linseed oil, linseed/flaxseed oil |
| Marine fish oil |
| Marine fish oils, algae |
FATTY ACIDS
Omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids are named according to their chemical (and physical) structure. These fatty acids have important roles in forming animal cell membranes, the development of the neurological system (the brain, eyes and nerves), immune function, and have a part to play in the inflammatory process which occurs in tissue injury or infection.
NUTRITIONAL TRUTHS
RECOGNISING ADVERTISING TERMS
Advertising terms are used to appeal to pet owners
The terms on the right give no indication of product quality or
how appropriate a food is for the pet
how appropriate a food is for the pet
Certain terms on pet food packaging are placed purely for advertising and marketing reasons.
Some terms are regulated, some are not.
They don't necessarily indicate higher quality ingredients, manufacturing standards or finished products.
Some terms are regulated, some are not.
They don't necessarily indicate higher quality ingredients, manufacturing standards or finished products.
| CLAIM |
Term approved by AAFCO / FEDIAF
|
| PREMIUM |
|
| SUPER PREMIUM |
|
| ULTRA PREMIUM |
|
| GOURMET |
|
| HYPOALLERGENIC |
|
| HOLISTIC |
|
| NATURAL |
|
*AAFCO: American Association of Feed Control Officials
FEDIAF: The European Pet Food Industry Code of Good Labelling Practice for Pet Food
NUTRITIONAL TRUTHS
RECOGNISING ADVERTISING TERMS
The term ‘organic’ doesn’t imply that there is a nutritional disadvantage to conventional ingredients.
ORGANIC
The term “organic” refers to the methods used to grow crops and raise livestock. Local regulatory organisations list several guidelines for organic products. For example, organic crops cannot be treated with synthetic fertilisers and certain pesticides. While the term may apply to pet food ingredients, there are currently no dedicated organic pet food standards, therefore, pet food companies using “organic” to describe their products must comply with the National Organic Program.
Organic food does not necessarily contain more nutrients than conventional food.
NUTRITIONAL TRUTHS
RECOGNISING ADVERTISING TERMS
The term ‘natural’ doesn’t imply that there is a nutritional disadvantage to conventional ingredients.
Pet owners may not be certain what the term “natural” means even though it sounds as if it indicates a safe, healthy, nutritious product.
Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) defines natural as: “a feed or feed ingredient derived solely from plant, animal, or mined sources..” with specific guidelines regarding processing.
All additives used in pet food, whether natural or synthesised, must be approved as safe.
According to the FEDIAF labelling code;
The term “natural” should be used only to describe substances in pet food (derived from plant, animal, micro-organism or minerals) to which nothing has been added and which have been subjected only to such physical processing as to make them suitable for pet food production and maintaining the natural composition.
If a pet food contains only raw materials, additives and carriers meeting the above requirements, it may be described as “natural” as long as it has not been subjected to processes other than those acceptable processes for “natural substances”.
The terms “made with natural ...” may be used provided that the natural substances are clearly identified on the composition list and using a qualifying statement.
NUTRITIONAL TRUTHS
RECOGNISING ADVERTISING TERMS
INGREDIENT INCLUSIONS
Marketing terms often advertise food based on trendy ingredients, for example blueberries. This may sound appealing to the owner, but it gives no indication of the actual nutritional benefits to the pet. Taking a nutrients rather than ingredients approach to pet foods, a manufacturer should promote a diet based on the delivery of essential and required nutrients, rather than highlighting the ingredients to the owner.
INGREDIENT EXCLUSIONS
Many manufacturers choose to advertise and market products based on the ingredients they exclude from their formula, for example grain-free. Ingredient exclusions may imply to a pet owner a problem with certain ingredients and may ignore the nutritional health benefits of named ingredients.
