The Pet Food Industry

1. The Pet Food Industry • Big Business - at least $10 billion/yr • When you buy food for your pet… • Do you get what the pet needs? • Or do you buy what you think your pet might like?

2. Nutrient Classes • Protein - meat and milk products, soy products • Carbohydrates - corn and grain products • Fat - vegetable oil, tallow, lard • Vitamins - mostly added in synthetic form • Minerals - mostly added as salts (iron sulfate, etc.) • Water - the most important nutrient

3. Types of Dog Food • Dry: < 15% moisture • Usually extruded - companies can pick a shape that you like • Fat sprayed on after food is formed. • Semi-moist: 15-30 % moisture - “soft” dog food • Corn syrup, salt, sugars added to bind moisture and prevent spoilage • Canned: 78% moisture maximum. • Complete or meat type • Long shelf life taste appeal Dry or canned more economical?

4. Product name Net Wt List of ingredients (highest listed first) Manufacturer’s address Guaranteed analysis Crude Protein (min) Crude Fat (Min) Crude Fiber (Max) Water (Max) Type of pet, feeding directions Statement of nutritional adequacy is it complete? formulated or tested to meet requirements (AAFCO) Pet Food Labels

5. Pre-weaning Colostrum provides passive immunity - puppy needs this in the first 24 hrs for proper absorbtion. Dam’s milk adequate for 4 wks. Additional food needed after 4 wks. Early Growth 1st 6 months most rapid growth phase Choose a food designed for this stage Adult Switch to adult or “All life stages” at 1 year Lower protein, vitamin, mineral requirements Life Cycle Nutrition

6. Common Nutritional Problems - Obesity • Affects 1/3 of dogs • Caused by overfeeding/inactivity • More prone to cardiovascular, skin, reproductive problems and cancer • Weight reducing diets have more fiber, fewer calories and may leave dogs more satisfied. • When viewed from the top, dogs should have hourglass shape with some ribs showing.

7. Very Thin Thin Ideal Overweight Obese

8. Common Nutritional Problems - Diabetes • Not enough insulin - glucose builds up in the blood, can’t get into the tissues. • Signs - high water intake, increased urination. • Type I diabetes - pancreas can’t produce insulin - most dogs have this type. Shots necessary. • Type II - Pancreas produces insulin, but not enough. Only 10-20% of dogs have this type. May respond to weight loss.

9. Common Nutritional Problems - Chronic Kidney Disease • Usually affects older dogs - also caused by injury, tumors and infection. • Dog loses ability to control electrolytes and filter waste products. • Same signs as diabetes - high water intake and increase urination.

10. Common Nutritional Problems - Food Allergies • Often occurs when dog has been on same diet for several years. • Typical sign - ITCHING - belly, inside front legs where legs meet the body, and the groin. • Rule out fleabites, bacterial or fungal infections. • Dog develops insensitivity to large proteins like.. • Beef, dairy • Also chicken, cereal, fish and eggs • No quick fixes - eliminate all sources of protein and use a new source. May take 8-10 weeks. • If problem disappears, challenge with original diet and watch for signs.

11. Summary • Pet food is big business - lots of profits and marketing pressure. • You don’t need the most expensive food - or the cheapest. • Look for the “formulated” or “tested” statement on the label - this probably means it’s a good food. • Don’t overfeed.