Nutrition

• Proteins are made up of polypeptide chains of amino acids held together by peptide bonds
• There are 23 different amino acids, with dogs able to manufacture 13 and cats/ferrets only able to manufacture 12
• Amino acids that can be manufactured by the animal using other amino acids are non-essential, while those that the animal cannot synthesize are essential
• Proteins provide amino acids for cellular/tissue production, growth, repair, and play a role in cell membrane/tissue structure
• Proteins can be used as an energy source, especially by cats/ferrets
• All enzymes are proteins and play a crucial role in metabolism
• Haemoglobin in red blood cells contains the protein globin, which transports oxygen around the body
• Proteins found in blood carry and transport other nutrients like lipids, vitamins, and minerals
• Antibodies, composed of proteins, are essential for providing immunity
• The Biological Value (BV) of a protein indicates the amount of absorbed protein that the body can use
• High-quality proteins have a higher BV and contain more essential amino acids
• Animal proteins generally have a higher BV than plant proteins
• Protein sources for dog, cat, and ferret diets include meat, fish, meat by-products, and plant proteins for rabbit and rodent diets
• Dogs can tolerate and utilize high levels of carbohydrates, conserving protein for growth and repair
• Dogs can convert amino acids from protein sources into glucose
• Cats are obligate carnivores and rely on animal tissue for their required nutrients
• Cats need taurine from animal tissues for heart and vision function
• Ferrets, like cats, are obligate carnivores and require taurine from animal tissues
• Rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas have digestive systems designed for plant digestion
• Rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas require moderate levels of protein in their diet
• Gerbils, hamsters, mice, and rats are omnivores and can tolerate higher levels of protein than herbivores
• In single-celled organisms, substances can easily enter the cell due to a short distance, while in multicellular organisms, the distance is larger because of a higher surface area to volume ratio
• Multicellular organisms require specialised exchange surfaces for efficient gas exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen due to their higher surface area to volume ratio
• Guinea pigs require a slightly higher protein content in their diet
• Good sources of protein for guinea pigs include hay, vegetables, leafy greens, and hard pelleted food
• Gerbils, hamsters, mice, and rats are omnivores and can tolerate high levels of protein
• Protein for these animals comes from seeds and grains, which contain more protein than grass
• The protein levels in gerbils, hamsters, mice, and rats are similar to those in dogs
• Young and growing animals have specific protein requirements
• Milk from the mother provides all the nutrients young animals need until weaning, and it is high in protein
• The diet of young animals needs to be high in protein for optimal growth and development
• The increase in protein required is significantly greater in cats and ferrets compared to dogs and other omnivores
• Small breed puppies require a larger increase in protein compared to large/giant breed puppies due to their faster metabolism and energy requirements
• Adult animals have specific protein requirements
• Adult diets are designed to maintain normal physical and mental health and activity
• Moderate levels of protein are needed by adults to maintain muscle mass and for ongoing tissue repair
• Excess protein may burden the kidneys and liver, as they excrete waste products and convert proteins for storage
• Adult cats and ferrets require higher maintenance levels of protein compared to dogs, other omnivores, and herbivores
• Geriatric animals have specific protein requirements
• Traditionally, lower levels of protein are provided in geriatric diets, but the quality of the protein is important