To properly evaluate a dog or cat food, it is necessary to first understand the terminology. A rudimentary understanding of nutrition is also useful. |
|
 |
|
|
PROTEIN
The principle requirement for dietary protein is to replace what is used in the natural daily functioning. All types of protein are formed from various amino acids. Amino acids are found in both plants and animals but each has differing types and amounts. Cats require the amino acids found in meat based proteins, dogs do best on meat based amino acids.
CARBOHYDRATES
STARCH:
These carbohydrates are used for an immediate energy source. They are comprised of various formats of linked units of glucose.
FIBRE:
There are two main types of fibre: soluble and insoluble. In general, insoluble fibre increases the speed of food moving through the bowel. This enhances the efficiency of the colon. Soluble fibre on the other hand, ferments in the colon breaking down into an important nutrient for the intestinal cells; short chain fatty acids. Excess insoluble fibre will depress nutrient digestibility (protein, fat & carbohydrates), obligating increased intake and increased stool volume.
To date, beet pulp is one of the best sources of dietary fibre. It is partially soluble and partially insoluble. It promotes good stool characteristics, provides short chain fatty acid supplements and does not significantly decrease nutrient digestibility.
FATS
Fats supply stored energy, and maintain healthy skin and shiny coats. Fats are made up of two basic units, glycerol and fatty acids. Fatty acids can be unsaturated (dietarily preferable) or saturated. Dogs require the fatty acid linoleic acid from their diet, cats require both linoleic and arachidonic acids. These essential fatty acids are found in optimal levels in chicken fat.
VITAMINS and MINERALS
This topic needs a great deal of explanation, but it is important to understand that there are different species and different physiological requirements. These differences must be reflected in any specific diet. |
SOURCES IN PET FOODS
PROTEIN
- DEHYDRATED CHICKEN:
Ground flesh and skin from the chicken dehydrated at low temperature
- CHICKEN MEAT:
Dry and ground clean combination of flesh and skin with or without bones and exclusive of feathers, heads, feet and entrails, derived from the parts of whole carcass
- POULTRY BY-PRODUCT MEAL
May contain necks, feet, entrails, organ meats and undeveloped eggs, exclusive of feathers, and also dried and ground
- SOYBEAN MEAL:
Grindings of the soyabeans after chemical or mechanical extraction of the oil
- BEEF TALLOW:
Exclusively beef fat, high in saturated fatty acids, low in linoleic and arachidonic acids
- ANIMAL FATS:
Various mixture of fats (mainly beef and/or pork)
- CHICKEN FAT:
Chicken fat, high in unsaturated fat, linoleic and arachidonic acids
- STARCH: corn, rice, rice flour, wheat, wheat flour, barley
- FIBRE: wheat middlings, peanut shells, soybean shells, beet pulp
|
NUTRIENCE uses dehydrated chicken, chicken meat, chicken fat, essential levels of carbohydrates and beet pulp. Combined with exceptional quality control and a test feeding program, the entire line offers optimum nutrition at Canadian made prices.
|
|
|
