Dietary fat is a valuable nutrient in both dog and cat food. Though fat content can be excessive and lead to obesity, some amount of fat in the diet is important.
The Role of Fat in the Diet of the Dog and Cat
Fat plays many roles in canine and feline nutrition.
- Fat is a concentrated energy source for dogs and cats.
- Fat-soluble vitamins are carried by fat from the intestinal tract to the lymphatic system.
- Fat makes up part of the membrane of cells and also helps transport nutrients and other substances across the cell membrane.
- Fat makes up part of the myelin sheath that surrounds some of the nerves in the body and also plays a role in the speed of transmission for those nerves.
- Fats produce metabolites that help control inflammation.
- Fats contribute to the formation of some hormones, such as estrogen, testosterone and progesterone.
- Fats contribute to the formation of bile acids, which aid in digestion and absorption of nutritents.
- Fat acts as a mechanical barrier, insulating the body against heat loss, protecting internal organs and preventing excess water loss.
- Fats also help provide a barrier against bacterial and viral invasions.
- Fat in the diet also helps make the food more palatable for dogs and cats
- The amount of fat in the diet affects satiety, the feeling of being full after eating.
Types of Fats in Canine and Feline Nutrition
There are many types of fats present in the diet of a dog or cat and each type of fat plays a different role in the diet.
Fats are characterized in several different ways.
- Fats are classified as long-chain, medium-chain or short-chain based on the length of the carbon-chain that makes up their backbone. Short-chain fatty acids are important sources of energy for the cells within the intestinal tract. Long-chain fatty acids such as arachidonic acid, eicopentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA) play an important role in the development of inflammation.
- Fats are also classified as saturated, unsaturated or polyunsaturated based on the number of bonds between the carbon atoms in the backbone. The number of double bonds between the carbon atoms defines the degree of saturation.
- Fats are also classified based on where the double bonds between carbon atoms occur. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are examples of this.
Phospholipids and lipids are fats that play an important role, especially in the formation of cell membranes. Dogs and cats are capable of synthesizing the phospholipids they need, so these fats are not considered essential to the diet.
Triglycerides, cholesterol and fatty acids are all other forms of fats found in the canine and feline diet.
Essential Fatty Acids in Dog and Cat Nutrition
Essential fatty acids are those that must be supplied in the diet because the canine and feline body cannot produce them.
- Both dogs and cats require linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid found in vegetable oils.
- Cats also require arachidonic acid, another omega-6 fatty acid found in animal fat.
Though the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA are not essential fatty acids, their inclusion in the diet may be beneficial in health conditions that have an inflammatory component (such as arthritis) and may help mediate inflammatory changes that lead to pain.
Sources of Fat as a Nutrient in the Dog and Cat Diet
Animal fat and vegetable oil are often used as sources of fat in the diet of dogs and cats. Linoleic acid is found in the fat of poultry, beef and pork but the best sources are corn, soybean and safflower oil. Arachidonic acid is found in animal fat and fish oil.
Deficiencies and Excesses of Fats in the Canine and Feline Diet
Dogs and cats lacking sufficient amounts of essential fatty acids in their diets may suffer with unhealthy hair coats and other symptoms.
- The coat may be dull in appearance.
- The skin may be dry, scaly and itchy.
- Pyoderma (skin infection) may occur because of changes in the lipid layers of the skin.
- Wounds may not heal quickly.
- The pet may be lethargic and inactive.
- Reproductive disorders may also be seen.
On the other hand, an excess of fat in the diet can lead to excess weight gain and obesity. Dietary fat yields twice as much energy per gram as proteins or carbohydrates. During times when a high energy demand is present (such as in a working dog or nursing dog or cat), fat can be good source of additional calories to help meet the increased energy demand. However, care should be taken with all animals to ensure that excess fat in the diet does not result in excess weight gain.
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