2016 APDT Annual Educational Conference and Trade Show A to Z of Canine Nutrition Jennifer Adolphe, PhD, RD Senior Nutritionist
Learning Outcomes To understand the importance of each of the macronutrients (protein, fat and carbohydrate) in canine health To identify ingredients that are excellent sources of protein, fat and carbohydrate, along with some of the advantages and disadvantages of common pet food ingredients To understand the various perspectives and controversies surrounding the nutritional requirements of protein, fat and carbohydrates for dogs
Nutrients Protein Carbohydrate Fat Vitamins Minerals Water Macronutrients Micronutrients
Protein Functions Essential amino acids Energy Tissue repair and maintenance Antibodies Enzymes
Protein Quality Limiting essential amino acid Animal vs. plant proteins Complementary proteins Oats Peas
Animal vs. Plant Protein Sources Animal Complete amino acid profile Source of fat and minerals Variability in composition & quality Plant Complementary amino acid profiles Vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre Consistent composition & quality Sustainability
Protein Ingredients Chicken meal, turkey meal, salmon meal, de-boned chicken, de-boned turkey, de-boned trout, potatoes, peas, tapioca, lentils, chickpeas, chicken fat, egg, apples, duck meal, herring meal, salmon oil, alfalfa, de-boned duck, de-boned salmon, sweet potatoes, canola oil, coconut oil
Animal Protein Ingredients Fresh Rendered meal Dehydrated Spray dried Freeze dried Oven dried Raw materials Cooking (time & temperature) Protein Press Fat Grinding
Meat: Fresh, Meal, Dehydrated Fresh Meal (rendered) Dehydrated Protein Lower (moisture) High High Processing Minimal Moisture & fat extracted Only moisture removed
Carbohydrates Readily available energy source Essential for brain and red blood cells Protein sparing Body weight maintenance Carbohydrate 3.5 kcal/g Protein 3.5 kcal/g Fat 8.5 kcal/g Kibble structure, palatability Dietary fibre (digestive health)
Energy Balance Blood glucose 4 7 mmol/l
Carbohydrate Ingredients Grains Oats Barley Rye Rice Wheat Corn Non Grains Potato Sweet potato Tapioca Pulses (peas, lentils, chickpeas, beans) Fruits and vegetables
Whole Grains
Gluten Type of protein Found in wheat, barley and rye Not an issue for most dogs Some Irish Setters have inherited gluten sensitivity
Dietary Fiber Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, pulses Non digestible, non absorbable Promotes digestive health Reduce energy content of diet Prebiotics: food for the good bacteria
Fat Energy storage Fat soluble vitamin absorption Vital organ cushion Skin & coat: outermost water barrier Hormones, cell structure Provides more than two times the amount of energy than carbohydrate or protein
Fat Essential fatty acids Omega 6: linoleic acid, arachidonic acid (cats) Omega 3: alpha linolenic acid, EPA, DHA Plant sources Marine sources
Fat Sources in Dog Food Animal Chicken fat Salmon oil Meat (fresh, meals, dehydrated) Plant Canola oil Sunflower oil Coconut oil Flaxseed
AAFCO Nutrient Profiles Fat Nutrient (%) Growth & Reproduction (minimum) Adult Maintenance (minimum) Maximum Crude fat 8.5 5.5 Linoleic acid 1.3 1.1 α Linolenic acid 0.08 ND EPA + DHA 0.05 ND Omega 6 to omega 3 ratio 30:1
Hot Topics in Dog Nutrition Protein: more, more, more? Glycemic index: a meaningful measurement for dog food? Vegetarian dog foods: nutritionally complete?
Protein Protein is one of the hottest functional food ingredients in the human food market Paleo, Atkins, the Zone, Ancestral diets Grain free, gluten free, low carbohydrate
Optimal Nutrient Intake Minimum requirement
Macronutrient Requirements Moisture + Protein + Fat + Carbohydrate + Fiber + Ash = 100% 0 + 30 + 9 +? +? + 8 = 47% 53%
Protein & Weight Management HPHF Diet HPMF Diet Energy content (kcal/kg) 2900 3275 Moisture (%) 8 9 Crude protein (%) 30 34 Crude fat (%) 10 10 Crude fiber (%) 17.5 11.5 Total dietary fiber (%) 28 18.5 Ash (%) 5.3 7.9 Weight loss (%) 31.8 20.1 Rate of weight loss per week (%) 1.0 0.7 Change in body fat mass (%) 58 37 HPHF, high protein high fiber; HPMF, high protein moderate fiber German et al. 2009
Protein & Digestive Health Higher protein diets can contribute to diarrhea in dogs Undigested protein can enter colon and affect microbiota and intestinal inflammation Quantity and type of protein can affect stool quality Higher protein diets may also be higher in fat
Protein & Chronic Kidney Disease Dietary protein not associated with initiation or progression of chronic kidney disease in dogs Protein restriction may help alleviate symptoms Lower protein intake can be more detrimental (malnutrition) Other nutrients of concern: phosphorus, calcium, sodium, potassium, water soluble vitamins, fat
Glycemic Index
Glycemic Index of Foods in Humans Atkinson et al. 2008
Factors that Impact Glycemic Index Type of carbohydrate Nutrient interactions (protein, fat, fiber) Physical form of food (whole, chopped, ground) Preparation/processing
Glycemic Response in Dogs to Carbohydrate Ingredients (Adolphe et al., 2015) (Adolphe et al., 2012)
Glycemic Index Dogs vs. Humans Humans Extensive testing of glycemic index of individual foods Known health benefits established Eat highly variable diet Dogs Limited data of ingredients or diets Health benefits unknown Complete and balanced pet foods (kibble, canned)
Vegetarian Diets Focus on increasing plant based foods and reducing animal products Environment, ethics, health, taste Lacto ovo vegetarian Flexitarian Lacto vegetarian Ovo vegetarian Pescatarian Pollotarian Vegan
Sustainability Meeting the needs of today without compromising the needs of future generations. Improving standard of living by protecting human health, conserving the environment, using resources efficiently and ensuring economic viability.
Environmental impact of meat vs. plant protein Reijinders & Soret 2003
Vegetarian diet: Nutrients Protein Essential amino acids (methionine, cysteine, taurine) Fat Arachidonic acid, DHA, EPA Vitamins Minerals
Commercial Vegetarian Diets for Dogs Diet 1 Green peas, chickpeas, pearled barley, oat groats, pea protein, whole flaxseed, sunflower oil, dried plain beet pulp, potato, sweet potato, alfalfa meal, carrot, celery, beet, parsley, lettuce, watercress, spinach, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), dicalcium phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, dried kelp, natural vegetable flavors, flaxseed oil, carrots, dried apple, dried blueberry, dried cranberry, chicory root, taurine, rosemary extract, L carnitine, potassium chloride, DL methionine, salt, calcium carbonate, choline chloride, vitamins minerals Diet 2 Organic peas, organic barley, organic oats, lentils, organic sunflower oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), potatoes, quinoa, organic flaxseed, primary dried yeast, calcium carbonate, natural vegetable flavouring, blueberries, cranberries, carrots, choline chloride, salt, dicalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, vitamins minerals taurine, DL methionine, L lysine, dried rosemary.
Pulses Peas, beans, lentils, chickpeas Fix nitrogen in the soil
Conclusions Protein, carbohydrate and fat are all key nutrients in pet foods Lack of information about glycemic index of ingredients and the health effects in pets Most pets tolerate gluten and grains; need to consider the individual needs of the pet Vegetarian diets can be a great option for dogs, their humans and the environment
Questions? Jennifer Adolphe, PhD, RD Senior Nutritionist www.petcurean.com/contact