Diet Info

[klsb]

I am sure that most of you are feeding your puppers the best possible diet and are all aware of whats best for them. But i just finished the Nutrition part of my course and though that some of this info might help some people out!

A Good Quality Adult Cat Food (Dry Food)
Protein (minimum) 32%
Fat (minimum) 18%
Fiber (maximum) 3%
Moisture (maximum) 10%

A Good Quality Adult Dog Food (Dry Food)
Crude Protein (minimum) 21.00%
Crude Fat (minimum) 12.00%
Crude Fiber (maximum) 5.00%
Moisture (maximum) 10.00%

And when reading the backs of food containers, this is what the actually meanings are:

Meat is the clean flesh derived from slaughtered mammals and is limited to that part of the striate muscle which is skeletal or that which is found in the tongue, in the diaphragm, in the heart, or in the esophagus; with or without that accompanying and overlying fat and the portions of the skin, sinew, nerve, and blood vessels which normally accompany the flesh.
Meat Meal is the rendered product from mammal tissues, exclusive of any added blood, hair, hoof, horn, hide trimmings, manure, stomach and rumen contents except in such amounts as may occur unavoidably in good processing practices. It shall not contain added extraneous materials not provided for by this definition. The calcium (Ca) level shall not exceed the actual level of phosphorus (P) by more than 2.2 times. It shall not contain more than 12% pepsin indigestible residue and not more than 9% of the crude protein in the product shall be pepsin indigestible. The label shall include guarantees for minimum crude protein, minimum crude fat, maximum crude fiber, minimum phosphorus (P) and minimum and maximum calcium (Ca).
Meat By-Products are the non-rendered, clean parts, other than meat, derived from slaughtered mammals. It includes, but is not limited to, lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, livers, blood, bone, partially defatted low temperature fatty tissue, and stomachs and intestines freed of their contents. It does not include hair, horns, teeth and hoofs. It shall be suitable for use in animal food.
Poultry By-Products must consist of non-rendered clean parts of carcasses of slaughtered poultry such as heads, feet, viscera, free from fecal content and foreign matter except in such trace amounts as might occur unavoidably in good factory practice.

The Vet who is teaching the course says that the number one thing he looks for in food is the amount of Meat. Thats the most important thing.

Also every life stage has different dietary needs (obviously)

The first life stage is growth. During this period, bone and muscle mass increase rapidly. Diets that support growth must have higher levels of protein (to supply the building blocks for muscle), minerals (for bones), and fat (for energy to complete the manufacturing process).

A pregnant dog or cat has the same requirements as a young puppy or kitten. In the last third of her pregnancy, two thirds of the fetal growth occurs. For this reason, he (my teacher) suggests that owners feed their expectant mothers growth diets during the last three to four weeks of pregnancy.

The second life stage is that of a healthy active adult. During this period, growth needs are minimal but energy requirements are still high because these young adults are so active. Diets for these individuals have moderate protein and increased fat levels.
Sedentary adults need fewer calories because they are at risk for weight gain. Their diets should have moderate protein and lower fat levels.

The final life stage is called the senior or geriatric stage. Our aged friends burn few calories and they may have some special needs for their aging internal organs. Diets for seniors should have lower levels of fat (so they don't gain too much weight), lower levels of protein (so their kidneys aren't taxed), and low levels of salt (to help their hearts).


So there is a bit of info if you'd like it!!

[doxielady5569128]

That was very helpful!!! Thank you for sharing that.   I found it extremely interesting.   

[cheryl186]

That is soooo helpful.  Thank you very much!

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

That is fantastic information! Thank you so much. I wish they would list the sodium content on dog food I've never seen it on anything I've fed. 

[JetEd73]

yeah, it's time for me to get Ms. Lucy on a senior diet...pain in the arse that she is but I still love her and want to do what best for her.