Are you Overfeeding your Pet?

Pet Caloric Requirements and RER

Pets’ energy (Calorie) intake needs to maintain a healthy weight for their life stage and depends upon several factors. First, the energy to perform essential body functions like digestion, respiration, heart functions, brain functions, etc. (Resting Energy Requirements or RER), which can be calculated by multiplying the animal’s body weight in kilograms raised to the ¾ power by 70, for example, a 10kg (22lb) adult neutered dog of healthy weight needs RER = 70(10kg)3/4 ≈ 400 Calories/day. One also can use the charts below to estimate resting calorie needs.

Table 1. Known life stages and corresponding factors used to estimate daily energy needs for dogs.
Neutered adult	=1.6 x RER
Intact adult	=1.8 x RER
Inactive/obese prone	=1.2-1.4 x RER
Weight loss	=1.0 x RER for ideal weight
Weight gain	=1.2-1.8 x RER for ideal weight
Active, working dogs	=2.0-5.0 x RER
Puppy 0-4 months	=3.0 x RER
Puppy 4 months to adult	= 2.0 x RER

Source: http://vet.osu.edu/vmc/companion/our-services/nutrition-support-service/basic-calorie-calculator

Determining How Much Food to Feed

Richard H. Pitcairn, DVM, PhD, author of Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats, believes the most reliable approach is to feed what seems to be a reasonable amount and monitor his body weight.

“You should be able to feel your pet’s ribs easily as you slide your hand over his sides,” Pitcairn says. “If you can’t, he’s probably too heavy, so begin to feed a smaller quantity.”

If you’re using a commercial pet food, beware of the “feeding guidelines” on the bag or box. It lists different weights and the corresponding amount of food to feed your dog to maintain that weight, and should be used only as a rough guideline.

Many dogs are overweight because their families closely followed the directions on the label, which often indicates portion sizes that are too large. Dr. Link recommends that as a rule of thumb, unless the dog is over one hundred pounds, then do not feed more than 4 cups of food daily.

Starting at the low end of the suggested guidelines and then monitoring your dog for hunger and body condition is a good way to proceed.  If you are having difficulty finding the right diet or amount please contact White House Animal Hospital at http://www.whitehousevet.com/contactus.html

Treats Count as Calories

When feeding treats in a diet it is important to calculate them into the daily caloric intake, they are calories!  Most of us are guilty of sneaking a tasty table scrap to our pets during or after dinner. While there is not anything inherently wrong with giving your pet an occasional morsel left on your plate, there are some very good reasons to limit your handouts to treats made for dogs. Giving dogs a bit of leftover lean meat, non-buttered vegetables, and a little rice will not cause problems, but unfortunately, many people do not stop there.

Here are charts of common pet treats from Royal Canin to help you determine if you are over feeding with treats.

Overview of Pet Feeding

Choose a high-quality food and look at the recommendations on the label. Remember, these feeding recommendations are simply guidelines, not absolutes. There is often a wide range listed and there is little consistency in feeding guidelines between brands. You must consider the following, and adjust the food amount accordingly:

• The actual calorie content of the food
• Your pet's weight (and projected target weight if necessary). Ask your veterinarian if you're not sure about an ideal weight for your pet
• Your pet's activity level
• Other environmental variables (temperature)
• Any additional calories from treats or table foods
• Remember, most pets are overfed and under-exercised - so, if in doubt about how much to feed initially, feed a little less

After you have started feeding your pet an appropriate amount of food, weigh your pet at least once a month to determine if you (and your pet) are on the right track. If necessary, increase or decrease the amount of food slightly until the pet stays at his ideal weight. You can easily weigh your small dog or cat on your bathroom scale - simply weigh yourself while you hold your pet, then weigh yourself without your pet and subtract the difference. Larger dogs can usually be weighed at your veterinarian's office just stop on in and use our scale at White House Animal Hospital, no appointment necessary. Remember, most pets are overfed and under-exercised - so, if in doubt about how much to feed initially, feed a little less. 

Kristi May, MS, CVPM, LVT, AHT, BS, ABCDT 

White House Animal Hospital 615-672-0357
https://www.facebook.com/pethospital/

Canine Diabetes

Your dog has diabetes mellitus. You're not alone, an estimated 1 in 500 dogs has canine diabetes.

Normal Glucose Metabolism

During digestion, food is broken down into components that can be used by the body. Carbohydrates (starches) are converted into sugars, including glucose. Glucose is absorbed from the intestines into the blood and provides the body cells with energy.

Glucose can only enter most cells if the hormone insulin is present. Insulin is produced by specific cells in the pancreas, a special gland situated near the intestines.

What is diabetes mellitus?

Diabetes mellitus or “sugar diabetes” is caused by a lack of available insulin.

Diabetes occurs when your dog pancreas stops creating enough insulin to properly utilize digested sugars, fats and proteins, leaving blood sugar levels uncontrolled, or when the body’s cells no longer respond to normal levels of insulin. During digestion, food is broken down into many different components that your pet’s body can use. One of these components is glucose (derived from carbohydrates – or starches). The role of glucose is very important because it provides energy to your pet’s body cells. However, glucose can only enter those cells if the proper amount of the hormone insulin is present, and if the cells respond to it properly.

Diabetes is caused by:

• Insufficient insulin production by the pancreas
• Failure of the body cells to respond to insulin

The results are:

• The cells cannot absorb enough glucose
• Blood glucose concentrations are too high

What are the symptoms?

Two of the most common signs that your dog or cat may have developed diabetes includes: 1) a new insatiable thirst

2) a significant increase in hunger and eating (even where weight loss may be present). 

Without sufficient insulin, or with cells that cannot absorb and use glucose, excess sugar accumulates in the blood and then spills into the urine. Sugar in the urine causes the animal to pass large amounts of urine and then to subsequently develop an unusual thirst for water. 

Also, without sufficient glucose entering the cells, the brain becomes sugar-deprived and the animal becomes constantly hungry, yet may still lose weight because the ingested food is no longer being properly metabolized. A significant increase in eating -- combined with weight loss -- is an almost sure sign of diabetes. Two of the most common signs that your dog or cat may have developed diabetes includes: 1) a new insatiable thirst; and 2) a significant increase in hunger and eating (even where weight loss may be present). 

Without sufficient insulin, or with cells that cannot absorb and use glucose, excess sugar accumulates in the blood and then spills into the urine. Sugar in the urine causes the animal to pass large amounts of urine and then to subsequently develop an unusual thirst for water. 

Also, without sufficient glucose entering the cells, the brain becomes sugar-deprived and the animal becomes constantly hungry, yet may still lose weight because the ingested food is no longer being properly metabolized. A significant increase in eating -- combined with weight loss -- is an almost sure sign of diabetes. 

Dogs and cats with untreated diabetes may develop infections; most commonly, bladder, kidney or skin infections. Diabetic dogs -- and less frequently cats -- can also develop cataracts which may ultimately lead to blindness. Less common signs of diabetes are weakness in the back legs and an unsteady gait due to impaired nerve or muscle malfunction. Diabetes can -- if left untreated too long -- lead to death.

How do we test?

Samples of blood and urine from a canine or feline suspected of having diabetes will show large amounts of sugar. Your veterinarian may also do a blood screen of other organs to look for changes in the liver, kidney and pancreas. A urine sample may also be cultured to check for infection of the kidneys or bladder.  For the Month of November in 2015, White House Animal Hospital is offering 10% of In-house Blood Glucose Testing.  Book your pets Diabetes testing and exam online any time! http://www.whitehousevet.com/contactus.html

Are all dogs susceptible to diabetes?

Diabetes most typically occurs in middle aged to older dogs.

The following dog breeds appear to have an increased risk of developing diabetes:

• Keeshond
• Poodles
• Samoyed
• Daschund
• Alaskan malamute
• Miniature schnauzer
• Chow chow
• Beagle
• Doberman
• Labrador retriever

• Hungarian puli
• Golden retriever
• Miniature pinscher
• Old English sheepdog
• Springer spaniel
• Schipperke
• Finnish spitz
• West Highland white terrier
• Cairn terrier

These are dog breeds in which veterinarians most commonly diagnose diabetes. Reports may be biased due to breed popularity. Pedigree analysis has, however, identified a genetic predisposition in Keeshonds and Samoyeds.

(Always consult with your veterinarian to properly diagnose any health problems. Misdiagnosis and/or mistreatment -- including OTC and/or homeopathic products -- can lead to dangerous complications.

Kristi May, MS, CVPM, LVMT, AHT, BS, ABCDT 

White House Animal Hospital 615-672-0357

Book your appointment online at http://www.whitehousevet.com/contactus.html
https://www.facebook.com/pethospital/