Page 164 - Raw Diet References Book 2019

Veterinary Research Communications, 29(Suppl. 2) (2005) 35–38
DOI: 10.1007/s11259-005-0008-2 C Springer 2005

Dog Nutrient Requirements: New Knowledge

∗
P.P. Mussa and L. Prola
Department of Animal Production, Epidemiology and Ecology, Section of Nutrition, Via L.
da Vinci, 44-10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy
Correspondence: E-mail: pierpaolo.mussa@unito.it
∗

Mussa,P.P.andProla,L.,2005.Dognutrientrequirements:Newknowledge.VeterinaryResearchCommunications,
29(Suppl. 2), 35–38
Keywords: dog, energy calculation, energy evaluation, energy requirements, nutrient requirements
Abbreviations: BW, body weight; DE, digestible energy; GE, gross energy; ME, metabolizable energy; Nfe,
nitrogen-free extracts

INTRODUCTION

Dog nutrition was based on anecdotal knowledge from domestication until the beginning of
last century. In 1943, McCay, in his book “Nutrition of the dog” quoted published studies
and underlined that there was a real lack of information on this topic; more so than for
other species. The result of this was that many animals grew old quickly and died early.
The last 30 years have been characterised by a substantial increase in research into dog
nutrition, particularly concerning nutritional requirements. The National Research Council
(NRC) of the United States, considering this new information, has developed a new edition
of Nutrient Requirements of the dog and cat.
When comparing the four editions of this book (issued in 1972, 1974, 1985 and 2003),
several differences, both in form and in substance, are noticed. The earlier editions sup-
plied general advice, while the 1985 edition specified minimum requirements of essential
nutrients. Both these systems have advantages and disadvantages: improvements in the new
edition include determination of minimum levels (to avoid lacks) and maximum levels (to
avoid toxicity) of different nutrients and energy and providing a safety range. This concept
is already being applied by pet food companies, but misunderstandings are still common
about energy requirements. The main doubt is related to maintenance energy requirements
(energy consumed by an adult animal with moderate physical activity in thermic neutrality
conditions). Different results have been found by authors in this area. These differences
are due, in part, to the extraordinary heterogeneity among canine breeds; only horses are
almost comparable. For example, weight can vary between 1 and 100 kg; the coat can be
very long or almost nonexistent; and character and spontaneous physical activity are highly
variable. Finally, it is important to consider the life style imposed on the animal by the
owner.
The aim of this paper is to compare the different systems for evaluating nutrient require-
ments, to obtain general rules useful for practical feeding and nutrition of dogs.

35