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Chapter 7 Feeds and Feeding 113

lamb, and goat have the highest percentage of protein, Vitamins are essential, do not produce energy but
followed by pork and poultry. Eggs, nuts, soy, fish, they act as coenzymes and catalysts. Enzymes and coen-
rice, bean/lentils, corn, and wheat follow with lower zymes bind to proteins which facilitates the biologic
amounts of protein. Meat by‐products or meal are the activity of specific proteins in the body. There are two
internal organs, bones, and connective tissue that are types of vitamins: water‐soluble and fat‐soluble. Water‐
ground up, cooked, and dried. The Association of soluble vitamins are B complex, choline, and C. They are
American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO 2012a,b,c) not stored in the body and excess is flushed by the kid-
states, meat by‐products and meat meal are “the ren- neys. The fat‐soluble vitamins are A, D, E, and K and
dered product from mammal tissues, including bone, these are stored in the adipose tissues.
exclusive of blood, hair, hoof, horn, hide trimmings,
manure, stomach and rumen contents, except in such
amounts as may occur unavoidably in good processing Understanding Pet Food
practices”(AAFCO 2012b). Reputable pet food manu- Labels
facturers only buy their meal from US Department of
Agriculture (USDA) inspected facilities. This is a per- There are a multitude of pet foods available. Some are
fectly logical use of the parts of animals humans don’t glitzy and look great but are they really? Proper nutri-
want to consume. Put it this way, if you give your dog tion for hospitalized pets plays an important part in
a bone, hoof, or rawhide (meat by‐products) as a treat their recovery. We want to feed them the proper
it is no different from the meat by‐products or meat amounts but also make sure that amount has the
meal on the label. These provide a good source of proper nutrients. What is the protein, fat, carbohy-
protein and the animal being used for food is used drate, mineral, and vitamin content of these food
almost in its entirety. choices? There are two organizations that regulate and
Fats are used for energy and to provide nutrients for
hair, skin and nails, or hooves. Fat helps the absorption sets guidelines for pet food labels. Remember the Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) from Chapter 2? It is
of the fat‐soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Fat fills fat the governmental organization that makes sure
cells which provide insulation. Fats are broken down in imported foods are safe, produced under safe condi-
the body by bile that is formed in the liver, stored in the tions and labeled truthfully. The AAFCO evaluates
gallbladder, and released into the duodenum when fat labels on a voluntary basis, and rate food manufac-
is present. The enzyme lipase is also released by the turers, develops and implements uniform and equi-
gallbladder when fat is detected. These two break down table standards that regulate the manufacturing and
fats into essential fatty acids called linoleic, linolenic, labeling of pet food. It also provides education on
gamma linoleic, and arachidonic acids. They are reading pet food labels and utilizes good research to
essential because they are required for brain make decisions about pet food choices.
development, blood clotting, and controlling inflam-
mation. Fats are found in the subcutaneous tissues of
animals, eggs, milk, and plants including peanuts, soy, Learning to Read Labels
beans, seeds, and whole grains.
Minerals are required in varying amounts depending
on the stage of growth. They are required to serve as cat- Each label must contain certain information in a stan-
dardized format so that consumers can make good
alysts in the body and function as transporting mole- choices. The Guaranteed Analysis of ingredients is car-
cules that are required for body function. For example, ried out by independent regulators to check for compli-
calcium (Ca) is a vital mineral for the growth and main- ance with the nutrient requirements and label claims.
tenance of bone among other things. Macrominerals are All labels must have:
those that are required in larger amounts. Microminerals
or trace mineral are needed in much smaller amounts • Minimum statement of weight of contents – how
but are still required. Table 7.1 shows the macrominerals much food is in the bag, can, or pouch.
required, their use in the body, problems created when • List of ingredients in descending order based on
missing or deficient in the diet, and the source of the weight: the nutrients, protein, fat, fiber (carbohydrate),
mineral. moisture content, minerals, and vitamins. If the label
Microminerals, also known as trace minerals, serve claims health benefits from a certain ingredient that
as catalysts in the body and transport molecules. These must also be included in the analysis.
minerals need to be supplemented in small amounts. • Use of the food; if it is for young, adult, or geriatric
They are boron (B), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), chro- animals, or certain disease conditions.
mium (Cr), fluorine (F), iodine (I), iron (Fe), • Nutritional adequacy statement.
manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se), • Feeding guidelines with kilocalorie/cup.
and zinc (Ze). • Name and address of the manufacturer or distributor.