Feeding Trends in Dogs and Cats - What's the Science (for Nurses)

As nutritional support is now considered an integral part of managing critically ill patients, this presentation will focus of assessing patient’s needs for nutritional support and strategies for introducing feeding in hospitalised small animals.

Nutrition support is often overlooked or delayed in the management of acutely unwell or hospitalised cats and dogs, as medical and surgical treatments take priority. This presentation outlines the importance of early nutritional assessment and intervention in the management of sick cats and dogs, and offers practical solutions to the provision of nutrition support for the at-risk patient. It covers the reasons why early nutrition support can improve patient outcomes, and simple guidelines to assess the nutritional status of patients. Different feeding methods will be discussed, and case studies will be used to demonstrate the appropriate choice of feeding for particular cases.

There is growing interest in health and wellbeing of elderly cats and dogs. Nutrition is one of the most important aspects of geriatric care to optimise quality of life and to minimise risks for disease. Although nutrient requirements may not be to different, mature animals cannot adapt as easily to changes in nutrient supply, oversupply or deficiencies as young animals can. Physiological changes associated with aging and chronic diseases, such as obesity, degenerative joint disease, renal disease, cardiac disease, periodontal disease, cognitive dysfunction or cancer may necessitate dietary adaptations.