How good is the protein in your pet’s food? Amino acid availability as a measure of quality.
Protein in pet nutrition (Part 4 of 4) Last, but not least, amino acid availability must be considered when the quality of protein is assessed. What is amino acid availability? Amino acid availability depends on the integrity of the chemical structure of an amino acid. If the chemical structure of an amino acid changes for…
How good is the protein in your pet’s food? Protein digestibility as a measure of quality.
Protein in pet nutrition (Part 3 of 4) Another measure for assessing dietary protein for pets is protein digestibility. Your pet’s body must break proteins down into amino acids in his/her digestive tract. Your pet will then absorb those amino acids across the wall of its intestine and into its blood. Thus, if a protein…
How good is the protein in your pet’s food?
Protein in pet nutrition (Part 2 of 4) Dietary protein in your pet’s food is assessed based on how much of essential amino acids it supplies (i.e., the concentration of essential amino acids), the composition (or mixture) of the essential amino acids, the digestibility of the protein, and the availability of the essential amino acids.…
What is protein, and why should I care about it in the diet of my fur child?
Protein in pet nutrition (Part 1 of 4) I often get questions such as “how much protein should be in the diet of my pets?”, or I hear that pet owners are looking for a “high protein food” for their fur child(ren). To understand the answer, you need to first know what protein is. What…
Can I fix my dog’s bad breath?
“Bad breath in dogs (Halitosis): “There are several potential reasons for bad breath in dogs. These reasons can be classified as physiological, behavioral (such as poop eating), nutritional, or a combination. Physiological causes: The major physiological issues that can cause bad breath in dogs include oral/dental hygiene (periodontal disease), kidney disease (urine like smell), liver…
Chicken, chicken meal, or chicken by-product meal – which one is a better source of protein for your pet?
First, how are these food ingredients defined by AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) and what does this mean for your fur child? Chicken: “Combination of flesh and skin with or without accompanying bone, derived from the parts or whole carcasses of poultry or a combination thereof, exclusive of feathers, heads, feet and entrails…
How much water does my fur child need?
“As I said in a previous tip, water is an essential nutrient for dogs. Your dog loses its body water primarily through respiration (including panting), urination, and defecation, as well as lactation if she is a nursing mother. Lost water must be replaced every day, or it will severely compromise the health of your dog.…
Why are foods cooked at low temperature better?
“Food processing can potentially harm the nutritional value of your fur children’s food. Most commercial dry foods have been exposed to high heat during processing, for example when they are cooked. This high heat can form potentially harmful chemicals that stay in the food. High heat also damages vitamins and proteins, such that your pet…
What affects the nutrients your fur child needs?
“Six classes of essential nutrients are equally important for your fur children: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids (fats), water, vitamins, and minerals. They must be supplied at an “optimum” level (meaning not too much and not too little) through your pet’s food. This “optimum” level is different for cats and dogs, as well as for different breeds.…
When is a walking surface too hot for your pup?
“At this time of year, it’s very important to make sure that we pet lovers know the best time of day for walking our fur children. A good rule of thumb that I use is to first touch the walking surface with the back of my hand. If the surface is too hot for my…
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Nutrition Tips from Dr. Anoosh 