Fat requirement in the diet of dog

FAT REQUIREMENT IN DOG DIET
  • Although there is not an absolute requirement for dietary fat per se, fat is needed in the diet to provide EFAs and energy and to enhance diet palatability.
  • A minimum amount of dietary fat is also needed as a carrier for the fat-soluble vitamins.
  • Most dry dog foods that are marketed for adult maintenance contain between 5% and 13% fat (DM basis).
  • In comparison, the fat content of dry dog foods that are formulated for gestation, lactation, or performance may be 20% or greater.
  • The current Association of American Feed Control Officials’ (AAFCO’s) Nutrient Profiles minimum fat recommendations are 5% for adult maintenance and 8% for growth and reproduction (DM basis) provided in a food containing 3500 kcal/kg.
  • An adult dog maintenance food should also provide a minimum of 1% of the food’s dry weight as linoleic acid.
  • Although a requirement for alpha-linolenic acid has not been established for dogs, a minimum requirement (NRC)   recommends that aratio of linoleic acid to alpha-linolenic acid of between 2.6 and 26 should be maintained in all foods.
  •  Although EPA and DHA are considered to be conditionally essential during certain stages of life for dogs, a minimum dietary requirement for these LCPUFAs has not been established for dogs.
  • The current NRC provides an adequate intake (AI) estimate of 0.11 g of EPA and DHA combined per 1000 kcal of diet of approximately 0.044% DM (or 0.09% ME) in foods containing approximately 1% linoleic acid is suggested.
  • Because the n-3 and n-6 fatty acids compete for metabolic pathways, the amount of alpha-linolenic acid in the food must always be determined relative to the level of linoleic acid.
  • If the linoleic acid content of the food is higher than 1%, alpha-linolenic acid should also be increased to maintain an appropriate balance between the two families of fatty acids.
  • The current National Research Council (NRC) recommends that a ratio of linoleic acid to alpha-linolenic acid of between 2.6 and 26 should be maintained in all foods. Although EPA and DHA are considered to be conditionally essential during certain stages of life for dogs, a minimum dietary requirement for these LCPUFAs has not been established for dogs.
  • The current NRC provides an adequate intake (AI) estimate of 0.11 g of EPA and DHA combined per 1000 kcal of diet.
Last modified: Thursday, 7 June 2012, 9:41 AM