Term
| Describe some of the specific/unique nutritional requirements of cats |
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Definition
Digestive & Metabolic adaptations based on evolution of eating animal tissue (obligate carnivores)
-high protein needs
-taurine, arginine, methionine, cysteine
-cannot produce arachidonic acid
-Vit A & Vit D needs
-niacine & pyroxidine |
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Term
| Compare the diet & lifestyle of a wild cat to a house cat |
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Definition
Wild
-high in protein, moderately high in fat, very low in carbs
-hunt for prey
-need to support gestation/lactation/growth
-goal is survival
House cat
-large proportion of the diet is carbs
-indoors
-limited activity
-spayed/neutered
-goal is a long & happy life |
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Term
True or False
Carbohydrates are nutritionally essential for cats |
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Definition
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Term
| What are the 4 differences that distinguish carb metabolism in cats from other mammals? |
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Definition
-lack sweet taste receptors
-low amylase action for digestion
-limited glucose absorption
-poor hepatic removal of glucose from blood, but good at hepatic gluconeogenesis |
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Term
| What is feline 'sweet blindness' |
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Definition
| The Tas1r2 gene is not expressed in cats, so they are unable to form the functional sweet-taste receptor. They are not attracted to sweet things, but won't avoid them either |
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Term
| How is carbohydrate digestion different in cats? |
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Definition
-very low salivary amylase activity
-low intestinal amylase activity
-most amylase is pancreatic
-a high carb diet can induce production of amylase but the increase is minimal and it takes a long time |
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Term
| How is glucose absorption different in cats? |
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Definition
-short SI
-large number of villi to compensate, increase SA
-have a D-glucose transport system to compensate & carry glucose across the brush-border membrane but it is not adaptive to varying levels of carbohydrates |
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Term
| How can you increase the digestibility of carbohydates? |
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Definition
| cooking & grinding increase surface area and improve bioavailability |
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Term
| How is hepatic glucose metabolism different in cats? |
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Definition
-1st step of glycolysis is conversion to Glucose-6-Phosphate
-hexokinases are always active, independent of insulin, capable of processing small levels of glucose
-glucokinase operates at a max rate, only if there is a large amount of glucose & a need for rapid glycogenesis
CATS:
-low D-glucose transport activity
-minimal/no hepatic glucokinase
-minimal hepatic glycogen synthase
-high activity of gluconeogenic enzymes e.g. G-6-Phosphatase, pyruvate carboxylase
-cats can readily produce glucose in liver but are poor at removing it from the blood & storing as glycogen |
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Term
True or False
Dietary carbohydrates causes obesity in cats |
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Definition
False
Any diet that provides more energy than is required will cause obesity, as excess energy will be stored in the form of adipose tissue. |
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Term
| Why would a high carb intake cause obesity? |
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Definition
| High carb intake = overproduction of insulin = excess fat deposition = obesity |
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Term
True or False
Most owners underestimate BCS & physical activity in their cats |
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Definition
False
Often overestimate physical activity & underestimate BCS |
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Term
| Why are cats likely to overeat? |
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Definition
-commercial food is highly palatable
-food is often offered ad-libitum
-when measured, owners often feed by cups not weight (less accurate) |
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Term
| Why do cats fed dry food show a higher prevalence of obesity? |
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Definition
-higher CHO content
-higher fat content (improves palatability, higher energy density)
-owner perception of appropriate daily portion
-ad libitum feeding |
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Term
| Why is obesity associated with chronic low-grade inflammation? |
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Definition
| -adipose tissue is a very active endocrine organ which secretes various humoral factors which contribute to a chronic, low-grade systemic inflammatory response as well as local inflammation in the adipose tissue |
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Term
True or False
Weight loss has been shown to reduce anxiety in pets |
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Definition
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Term
| What are the 3 'prongs' of an effective weight loss plan for obese pets? |
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Definition
1.Psychology
-convince owner their pet is obese & that this is an issue
-continue motivating the owner throughout the weight loss process
2. Diet plan
-formulate a carefully measured diet plan & stick with it long-term!
3. Exercise |
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Term
| What are some factors to be considered when formulating a diet plan for obese animals? |
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Definition
-reduce energy intake
-stimulate satiety
-complete, balanced diet
-use of neutraceuticals |
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Term
| How can you reduce energy intake? |
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Definition
-restrict the energy to create a negative energy balance
-reduce the fat content
-increase fiber content
-increase water content
-add air to kibble (makes it look bigger so owners think they are feeding more) |
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Term
| How can you stimulate the feeling of satiety? |
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Definition
-increase insoluble fiber to add bulk
-increase viscous soluble fiber to promote gel formation
-feed multiple meals (4+)
-feed protein
-feed wet food (larger volume than dry) |
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Term
| What can you do to ensure a diet is complete and balanced while still promoting weight loss? |
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Definition
-reduce energy intake
-fortify other nutrients so that requirements are met e.g. protein, essential AA, esssential FA, vitamins/minerals
**You cannot just feed less of a normal diet, as the animal will then be unable to meet their nutritional requirements |
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Term
True or False
'Light' diets promote weight loss |
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Definition
False
-light just means that they have less fat/calories than another diet within the same company. They limit weight gain but do not promote weight loss |
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Term
| What are the benefits of including neutraceuticals in a diet? What are some examples? |
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Definition
-stimulate metabolism
-reduce inflammation
-improve joint health
e.g. Vit A, L-carnitine, fructo-oligosaccharides, glucosamine |
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Term
| What can you do to promote physical activity with cats? What are the goals? |
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Definition
Goals:
-gradual increase while conserving lean body mass
-increase energy consumption without stimulating hunger
-food toys making the cat work for every calorie is effective! |
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Term
| Why is hepatic lipidosis a concern with weight loss in cats? |
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Definition
| If weight loss is too fast, cats are not eating enough calories & lean body mass is lost, the body will be forcing the liver to convert body fat into usable energy. This causes fat buildup in the liver & causes liver damage |
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Term
| What is important to consider when looking at the 'fibre' component of a food label? |
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Definition
-dont just look at the CF
-need to check ingredient list for sources of soluble fiber
-ask company for the TDF content |
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Term
| Why does obesity often lead to diabetes? |
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Definition
-obesity reduces the sensitivity to insulin
-require more insulin to have enough of an effect to stimulate glucose uptake from the blood |
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Term
| What are some of the adverse effects of high carbs? |
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Definition
-chronic hyperglycemia
-increased B cell demand, eventual failure
-excessive insulin secretion
-diabetes mellitus |
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Term
| Explain why the risk of diabetes is not necessarily associated with carbohydrate consumption, but rather the source of carbohydrate? |
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Definition
-simple sugars are absorbed very quickly from the gut, can cause postprandial hypoglycemia & glucosuria
-complex carbs (starches) are slower to be digested & absorbed
-do not cause hyperglycemia/glucosuria |
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Term
True or False
Even with very high levels of carbs in the diet, cats are able to maintain a relatively stable range of glucose during a 24hr period |
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Definition
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Term
| What are the biggest factors in causing obesity? |
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Definition
lifestyle
indoor confinement
physical activity levels
Not the diet itself! |
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Term
| What are some important considerations if we wish to manage feline diabetes? |
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Definition
-source of carbohydrates (avoid simple sugars)
-source of fiber
-time of feeding (coincide with insulin action)
-preventing oxidative stress & beta cell damage (feed antioxidants) |
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Term
| What should be avoided if you want to reduce the simple sugars in a diet? |
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Definition
semi-moist treats
canned food with sauce |
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Term
| What are the insoluble fibers? Where are they found? What is the mechanism of digestion? |
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Definition
Cellulose, lignin, most hemicelluloses
Vegetables & cereals
-not digested in SI (no alpha amylase)
-LI too short for fermentation
Increase bulk which:
-delays CHO digestion
-delays glucose absorption
-reduces postrprandial glucose levels |
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Term
| What are the soluble fibers? Where are they found? What is the mechanism of digestion in the stomach, SI & LI? |
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Definition
pectine, gums, some hemicell, resistant starch
fruits, oats, barely, legumes
Stomach: form gel to slow gastric emptying
SI: form gel to reduce intestinal transit time -reduces CHO dig, gluc absorb & spikes
LI: fermented to produce SCFA
-increases glycolysis, reduces glucuneogen to decrease blood glucose (direct)
-reduces plasma FA levels which increases insulin sensitivity (indirect) |
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Term
| What is the 'catkins' diet? |
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Definition
-low CHO & fibre, high protein, moderate fat
-decreases CHO intake to reduce glucose spikes
-forces blood glucose to be maintained by hepatic gluconeogenesis |
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Term
| What are the 2 approaches to treating cats with obesity issues? |
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Definition
- high fiber, high carb food, low in fat
-avoid simple sugars and CHO should be <40%
-low carb, high protein food
-<20% CHO |
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Term
| What are the roles of the kidney? |
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Definition
Homeostasis of body fluids
-Na
-Osmolarity
-acid-base balance
-electrolyte balance
Clearance of water-soluble waste
Endocrine Function
-renin, erythropoietin, calcitriol |
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Term
| Describe the filtering function of the kidney |
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Definition
-h2o components of plasma appear in filtrate @ same concentration
-proteins are excluded from the filtrate based on molecular weight
-essential substances are reabsorbed (glucose, AA) |
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Term
| What is chronic kidney disease |
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Definition
-loss of kidney function due to fewer functioning nephrons
-difficult to maintain homeostasis
-reduced renal mass = reduced losses
-tubular flow increases, cannot fine tune filtration
-compensatory mechanisms kick in despite worsening electroyle & mineral imbalance |
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Term
True or False
You may not see clinical signs of kidney disease until 70% of nephrons have been damaged |
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Definition
True
the remaining nephrons will worker harder to compensate
-structural & functional damage will eventually exceed threshold & clinical uremia will be observed |
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Term
| What are the goals of early stage & late stage dietary treatment of renal disease? |
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Definition
Early: slow progression of CKD, increase survival time & quality of life
Late: reduce symptoms (palliative effect) but cannot slow progression |
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Term
| What are the key nutritional factors in managing kidney disease? |
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Definition
-reduce protein, salt, phosphorous
-increase water intake
-provide fat rather than protein as energy source
-feed soluble fibre |
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Term
| What can you do to maximize water intake? |
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Definition
different types of bowls, fountains
wet food
low/no sodium chicken broth added to feed |
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Term
| Why would you restrict protein in a cat with renal disease? Why is this approach still being discussed? |
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Definition
-reduce the production of nitrogenous waste & reduce metabolic acidosis
-not sure if high protein diets cause renal failure, or if low protein slows progression |
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Term
| Why is it recommended that phosphorous be restricted for cats with renal disease? When would this be appropriate? |
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Definition
-P accumulates in the body due to imbalances between intake & excretion
-increases the P concentration in plasma, reduces Ca concentration
-reduces synthesis of calcitriol
-leads to increase in synthesis & secretion of parathyroid hormone which causes secondary renal hyperthyroidism
*only reduce in late stage renal disease!! |
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Term
| Why might you substitute fat for protein in the diet of a cat with renal disease? What are some important considerations? |
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Definition
-more economical than increasing CHO
-non protein source of energy
-increases energy density (good if cat has reduced appetite)
-increases palatability
-need to balance omega 3 & omega 6 levels as they compete for the same enzymes in metabolism
-omega 6 will increase glomerulus blood pressure
-omega 3 is anti-inflam & reduces glomerular hypertension |
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Term
| What effect does fish oil have on the body |
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Definition
rich in omega 3 FAs
-reduces blood pressure by reducing vasodilation on afferent side of glomerulus and reducing constriction on the efferent side |
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Term
| Why would you reduce sodium for cats with renal disease? |
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Definition
-sodium retention leads to hypertension (increased BP) which further damages nephrons
BUT
-in healthy cats, high Na doesnt lead to hypertension
-low sodium in induced-CKD cats activated renin angiotensin system, did not affect arterial BP
-low sodium in natural CKD cats dod not aggravate hypokalemia |
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Term
| Why is potassium important with renal disease? |
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Definition
-30% of cats with CKD have hypokalemia
-poor appetite, non taking in enough K
-vomiting, losing K
-excessive renal loss
-can lead to metabolic acidosis |
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Term
| What are the characteristics of a diet that helps to maximize buffering capacity of the blood? |
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Definition
-moderate in protein
-low in sulfur-containing AAs
-includes buffers such as potassium citrate & gluconate |
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Term
| What is the importance of soluble fibres for a cat with renal disease? |
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Definition
-not digested in SI (no B amylase)
-fermentation in LI stimulates movement of urea from blood to intestine
-NH3 is converted to NH4
-increases fecal urea secretion & decreases urinary urea secretion
-'nitrogen trap' to reduce strain on kidneys |
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Term
| What do antioxidants do for a cat with renal disease? What are some examples? |
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Definition
Vit E, Vit C, Beta Carotene
-reduces oxidative damage, lower urea levels in serum |
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Term
| What would you do to treat an anorexic cat with CKD? |
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Definition
-cats has weight loss, increased creatinine, decreased total protein
-kidney diet is less palatable
-primary concern is increasing caloric intake (provide high protein, palatable food in small amounts)
-gradually switch to a renal diet |
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Term
| Describe the changes in MER for aging cats? |
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Definition
decreases until 11 years of age
-due to loss of lean body mass, reduced BMR, reduced activity
increases again 12 years+
-due to muscle atrophy/wasting of skeletal muscle |
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Term
| At what age are cats at an increased risk for obesity? |
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Definition
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Term
| What are some characteristics of diets appropriate for senior cats 12+yrs> |
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Definition
-highly palatable
-highly digesible
-energy dense
-dont restrict protein or K unless CDK is a concern
-dont reduce energy unless obese |
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