VNA Level I Module 4: Lifestage/ Lifestyle Nutrition ...vna.hillsvet.com/pdf/en-us/Module_4.pdf ·...

Learning Objectives

VNA Level I Module 4: Lifestage/ Lifestyle Nutrition

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Learning Objectives After completing this module, your basic understanding should include:

• Realizing the importance of monitoring a pet’s nutritional needs, and making appropriate recommendations to the client. • Becoming more familiar with the Hill’s® Science Diet® line of products, and the rationale for Lifestage/Lifestyle nutrition. • Knowing that “more is NOT better” regarding pet nutrition and that excess nutrients can be a major source of problems for pets as they age.

Introduction


Introduction Every pet has special nutritional needs. Too little or too much of certain nutrients can be detrimental to a pet’s health. For example, a food formulated to meet the requirements of a growing kitten would be inappropriate for an older cat with kidney disease. The best nutrition for an individual pet varies by age, activity level, and health condition. This module will help you understand the concepts of lifestage and lifestyle nutrition. Lifestage nutrition is the practice of feeding foods designed to meet a pet’s optimal nutritional needs at a specific age or physiologic state. The concept of lifestage nutrition recognizes that feeding either below or above an optimal nutrient concentration can, over various timeframes, adversely affect health-sometimes irreversibly. Lifestyle nutrition is based on the premise that some dogs and cats have special needs. Also, some pet owners interact with their pets differently than others, or simply prefer different foods. For example, a pet owner who runs six miles daily with her dog may need to feed a food that provides more energy than an owner who has a more sedentary dog. Or, a dog owner may prefer a natural food like Science Diet® Nature’s Best® formula.

Excess levels of nutrients and energy can be just as harmful as insufficient levels.

VNA Level 1 Module 4: Lifestage/Lifestyle Nutrition

Hill’s® Science Diet® brand pet foods products are specially formulated to provide proper nutrition for your clients’ pets based on age, activity level, and physical condition.

Lifestage Nutrition


Lifestage Nutrition

As they mature, every dog and cat seen in your practice progresses through lifestages. Each stage is unique, marked by physiologic changes and differing nutritional needs. Most pet owners do not understand these changes to any great degree, so are often influenced by various pet food marketing concepts. That is why they need your guidance, and so does their pet! Each and every pet’s nutritional needs should be regularly assessed by a competent veterinary health care team member, and the best food identified and advocated to meet those needs. Recall from the I.1 Nutrients module that a nutrient is any food constituent, including water, that supports life. Optimal health not only demands that certain nutrients be present in a food, but that they be present in proper balance, tailored to the activity level and nutritional needs of each lifestage.

Figure 1. Lifestyle examples. An active dog (left) and sedentary cat (right).

Figure 2. Young animals generally require more protein than older animals. This extra protein is used for growth.


Lifestage Nutrition


Lifestage Nutrition

Figure 3. Examples of all-purpose food statements.

Unfortunately, some pet food manufacturers provide even more nutrients in their products than recommended; to protect against deficiency, to enable the product to be deemed “adequate” for every dog or every cat regardless of age or activity level, or to advertise the food as “exceeding nutritional requirements.” Excess nutrient levels can also occur due to the nature of the ingredients used by some manufacturers. Regarding pet food, many pet owners have been led to believe that “more is better.” Your opportunity to help their pet lies in convincing the client that “balanced is better”, taking into consideration lifestage and lifestyle. The concept of lifestage nutrition differs markedly from feeding a single product for all lifestages (i.e., all-purpose foods), where nutrients are added at levels to meet the highest potential need (i.e., usually growth and reproduction). The excess nutrients in all-purpose foods may become nutritional risk factors and influence the possibility of illness as pets mature and age. The goal in proper pet nutrition should be to feed for optimal health, performance, and longevity; thus, feeding foods optimized toward individual needs is preferred. This philosophy is key to lifestage nutrition and preventive medicine. In addition to meeting the basic nutritional requirements of an animal, the nutrition-related health risks at each lifestage should be assessed and minimized. For maximum benefit, risk assessment and prevention plans should begin well before the onset of disease. For example, spaying/neutering, while a socially and medically responsible procedure, increases the risk that a pet will become overweight. Assessing this risk in an individual pet and perhaps feeding a food with less fat and fewer calories minimizes the risk.

Regarding nutrients in pet food, more (excess) is NOT better. “Balanced is better.”

A neutered pet is more prone to obesity. Regular assessment is very important.


Lifestage Nutrition


Lifestage Nutrition The value of lifestage feeding increases if risk factor management is also incorporated into the feeding practice. A more narrow but optimal range of nutrient recommendations for a specific pet often emerges when age and physiologic needs are reviewed in conjunction with reducing disease risk factors. When recommending a food, make sure the product is appropriate for the pet’s age (lifestage) and lifestyle (activity…). In general, lifestage ages are broken down into these categories, depending on breed: • Kitten/puppy: Up to one year of age • Adult cat/dog: Between one and up to seven years of age • Mature adult cat/dog: Seven years and older

Figure 4. Hill’s pioneered the lifestage concept of proper pet nutrition.


Lifestage Nutrition


Lifestage Nutrition Lifestyle products are formulated for healthy adult pets with special needs and for the changing lifestyles of today’s pet owners. Here’s an example of how lifestyle nutrition works among dogs that you might see in your practice. Figure 5 is a bell curve that demonstrates the energy requirements of adult dogs and cats are as varied as those of people. Much of this variation is due to activity.

Even dogs of the same size and weight can have very different energy needs.

Figure 5. These figures show that some dogs require two times more energy to maintain optimal body weight than other dogs. Therefore, feeding all dogs of equal body weight the same amount of food will cause obesity in some animals. The only accurate feeding practice is to use label guidelines as starting points and use body condition scoring to adjust amounts so the dog maintains optimal body weight. The same guidelines apply to cats. Source: Small Animal Clinical Nutrition 4th ed.


Lifestage Nutrition


Lifestage Nutrition Some adult dogs are sedentary, others have average activity levels, and some are constantly in motion. Consequently, active dogs usually require increased amounts of energy (represented toward the right of Figure 5), dogs of normal weight and body condition usually require average amounts of energy (represented toward the middle of Figure 5), and dogs prone to gain too much weight require reduced amounts of energy (represented toward the left of Figure 5). Science Diet® canine and feline formulas give you the flexibility to confidently recommend the appropriate food to complement your clients’ lifestyles as well as the lifestyles of your patients. Every Science Diet® product is formulated to avoid excess levels of nutrients. Many Science Diet® pet foods are available in dry and canned formulations. Unfortunately though, research shows that clients often jeopardize your nutritional recommendation by mixing in table food and/or canned grocery store pet foods along with dry Science Diet® formulas. Most pet owners are unaware this feeding practice may be potentially harmful. Clients who are supplementing dry Science Diet® products with grocery store bought foods or table foods, upset the nutritional balance, would be well advised to offer their pets the analogous canned formula of Science Diet®. In addition, Science Diet® Treats may be fed daily to most dogs, as outlined on the package, without disrupting nutritional balance. Hill’s offers additional Science Diet® brand pet foods to appeal to pet owners, including “Special Needs”.

One of the most important reasons to see an adult dog 2-4 times a year is to assess and if necessary, adjust its nutritional needs.

Figure 6. Science Diet® Treats may be fed daily to most dogs, as outlined on the package, without disrupting nutritional balance.


Canine Lifestage And Lifestyle Products


Canine Lifestage And Lifestyle Products Science Diet® Puppy pet food was developed to meet the higher nutrient and energy needs of puppies up to 12 months of age and of pregnant and nursing dogs (except Large Breed Puppy food). There are several different formulations of Science Diet® Puppy pet food, each one designed for a specific pet or owner need. They include:

• Healthy Advantage® Puppy - Dry • Puppy Small & Toy Breed – Dry • Puppy Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe (dry) • Healthy Advantage® Puppy Large Breed – Dry • Puppy Healthy Development Savory Chicken Entrée (canned) • Healthy Advantage® puppy foods • Small & Toy Puppy Gourmet Chicken Entrée - Canned • Small & Toy Puppy Savory Stew with Chicken & Vegetables - Canned

Visit Hill’s Key to Clinical Nutrition

Science Diet® Puppy pet food has balanced nutrition and great taste for puppies and pregnant and nursing dogs (except Large Breed) and promotes healthy skin and coat. Dry formulations contain Hill’s® Superior Antioxidant Formula, to help support the immune system, and are formulated with DHA Because Science Diet® Puppy pet food is highly digestible, stool volume is reduced, which helps with housetraining and feeding costs. This highly palatable, nutritionally complete product should not be supplemented with other foods or nutrients except for Science Diet® Puppy Treats.

Figure 7.

Science Diet Puppy Formulas, because of their high digestibility, help in housetraining.


http://www.hillsvet.com/practice-management/staff-training-tools.html

http://www.hillsvet.com/practice-management/staff-training-tools.html



Canine Lifestage And Lifestyle Products Science Diet® Puppy Large Breed is designed specifically for puppies that reach an adult weight of 55 lb or more. This special formula has reduced levels of calcium and fat (energy) to help ensure a normal growth rate for large and giant breed puppies. Growing too fast is considered by many veterinary experts to be one of the contributing factors to developmental orthopedic disease. Controlling calcium and energy consumption helps control risks for developing joint and skeletal problems. Science Diet® Puppy Large Breed, however, is not recommended for pregnant and nursing dogs. In those instances, Science Diet Puppy formula would be the products of choice. Science Diet® Puppy Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe is formulated for those clients who are already feeding, or who are looking for a lamb and rice product. Although this food has lower calcium and phosphorus levels and higher digestibility than many leading lamb meal and rice brands, it still meets the needs of growth and development as well as those of pregnancy and lactation. This food is naturally preserved with vitamin E and ascorbic acid. Science Diet® Nature’s Best® Puppy is for clients who prefer to feed an “all- natural” food (with added vitamins and minerals), and with ingredients such as real meat, garden vegetables and wholesome grains.

Large and giant breed puppies should not be allowed to grow too fast. Proper nutrition is critical for normal growth rate.



Canine Lifestage And Lifestyle Products Science Diet® Adult dog food is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of healthy adult dogs. Typically it should be fed to dogs one to six years of age. Science Diet® Adult pet food avoids excess levels of protein, phosphorus, calcium, and salt; nutrients that may be harmful over time. Science Diet® Adult pet food is highly digestible so stool volume is reduced. These highly palatable, nutritionally complete products are ideal for normally active adult dogs and should not be supplemented with other foods or treats except for Science Diet® Adult Treats. Table 1 lists some of the available Science Diet® Adult pet food formulations. Click here for Hill’s Key to Clinical Nutrition



Table 1. Science Diet® Adult dog food formulations include: Adult Light Small Bites - Dry

Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe - Dry Large Breed - Dry Ideal Balance™ Chicken & Brown Rice Dinner - Dry Gourmet Turkey Entrée - Canned Beef & Chicken Entrée - Canned Healthy Advantage® Canine – Dry

Special Needs

Sensitive Stomach & Skin - Dry Oral Care - Dry Healthy Mobility - Dry Light - Dry Light with Liver – Canned

Adult Treats

Jerky Strips with Real Beef - Treats Jerky Strips with Real Chicken - Treats Grain Free Treats with Chicken & Apples – Treats Soft Savories Beef & Cheddar - Treats

Small & Toy and Healthy Advantage

Small & Toy Breed - Dry Small & Toy Gourmet Beef Entrée - Canned Small & Toy Gourmet Chicken Entrée - Canned Small & Toy Savory Stew with Beef & Vegetables - Canned Small & Toy Savory Stew with Chicken & Vegetables - Canned

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Canine Lifestage And Lifestyle Products Science Diet® Mature Adult dog food is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of healthy dogs, seven years and older. Mature Adult dog foods are made with fewer calories than Science Diet® Adult dog food to better meet the energy needs of dogs older than six years that often have decreasing muscle mass and activity levels. These foods are also lower in phosphorus to promote healthy kidneys. Dry formulas contain Hill’s® Superior Antioxidant Formula, to help support the immune system. Science Diet® Mature Adult pet food is available in these formulations: Canned

Gourmet Beef Entrée Gourmet Chicken Entrée

Dry

Small Bites Large Breed (Senior 5+)

Visit Hill’s Key to Clinical Nutrition

Most breeds are considered “senior” at around 7 years of age, and around age 5 for large and giant breeds.


Figure 8.




Feline Lifestage And Lifestyle Products

Feline Lifestage And Lifestyle Products Science Diet® Kitten pet food is specifically formulated to meet the increased energy needs of kittens and pregnant and lactating queens. Fat, protein, energy, and mineral levels are increased. Science Diet® Kitten pet food formulas are highly palatable, highly digestible (therefore less stool volume), and promote healthy skin and coat. These foods should be fed until kittens reach adult size, around 12 months of age. Like puppies, kittens should be assessed using body condition scoring techniques to ensure they aren’t growing too fast. Science Diet® Kitten dry has the Hill’s® Superior Antioxidant Formula to help support the immune system and defend against risk of disease. It is also formulated with DHA for the health of the brain and retina. Science Diet® Kitten pet food is available in these formulations:

Original Dry Liver & Chicken Entrée (canned) Healthy Advantage® - Dry

Click here for Hill’s Key to Clinical Nutrition

Science Diet® Kitten products, because of their high digestibility, help kittens grow healthy.


Figure 9.




Feline Lifestage And Lifestyle Products Science Diet® Adult cat food is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of healthy adult cats from one to up to seven years of age. These highly palatable, nutritionally complete products are ideal for normally active adult cats. Science Diet® Adult pet food avoids excess levels of salt, calcium, phosphorus, protein, and magnesium, while helping maintain urinary pH in the proper range. Stool volume is reduced due to the high digestibility of these foods. Supplementation is not necessary. All Science Diet® Adult cat foods are highly palatable, contain taurine for normal health, and promote healthy skin and coat. Table 2 lists examples of available formulas:



Table 2. Science Diet® Adult cat food formulations include: Adult Ideal Balance™ Chicken & Brown Rice Dinner - Dry

Optimal Care™ Ocean Fish & Rice Recipe - Dry Liver & Chicken Entrée - Canned Gourmet Beef Entrée - Canned Healthy Advantage® - Dry

Special Needs Sensitive Stomach & Skin - Dry Hairball Control - Dry Oral Care - Dry Light - Dry Indoor Cat Savory Chicken Entrée - Canned Indoor – Dry

Adult Treats Crunchy Creations™ Grain Free with Chicken - Treats


Feline Lifestage And Lifestyle Products Science Diet® Mature Adult cat food is formulated to meet the special nutritional needs of healthy cats seven years and older. Science Diet® Mature Adult cat food has lower levels of fat and calories to help maintain proper weight of older cats and higher levels of fiber for gastrointestinal health. These foods are also lower in phosphorus to promote healthy kidneys. The dry formulations of Science Diet® Mature Adult contain the Hill’s® Superior Antioxidant Formula to help support the immune system. Table 3 lists some of the Science Diet® Mature Adult feline food formulations. Click here for Hill’s Key to Clinical Nutrition


Figure 10.


Table 3. Science Diet® Mature Adult cat food formulations include: Mature 7+ Mature Adult Indoor - Dry

Mature Adult Gourmet Beef Entrée - Canned Mature Adult Active Longevity™ Original – Dry

Age Defying

Senior 11+ Age Defying - Dry

Mature 7+ Special Needs

Hairball Control Mature Adult 7+ (dry)


Summary / Are you ready?


Summary The goal of lifestage/lifestyle nutrition should be happy, healthy older pets that we have helped to avoid nutritional risks and diseases throughout their lifetimes. All Hill’s® Science Diet® brand pet foods help ensure that pets receive superior, consistent nutrition, with optimal levels of all required nutrients. Only the highest quality ingredients are chosen-ones that best furnish nutrients and levels appropriate for each lifestage and activity level. This unwavering attention to detail should give you the confidence to advocate a Hill’s product for every dog and cat. On every Hill’s package is the statement: “100% Satisfaction Guaranteed. Hill’s is committed to providing your dog (cat) the highest quality nutrition you can buy. If, for any reason, you are not completely satisfied, return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a refund or replacement.” Hill’s, will in turn, credit your account. This makes it even easier for you to promote proper pet nutrition!

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VNA Level I Module 4: Lifestage/ Lifestyle Nutrition ...vna.hillsvet.com/pdf/en-us/Module_4.pdf ·...

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